Fresh Start...

 I finally completed this baby blanket last night and now it is drying outside inthe sunshine after having a bit of a wash.  That was a very hot job with the summer temperatures we had last week!  That was the last of the commissions from June - new things to make this week, some characters to design for prospective animations and a Clanger to knit.  I think I also managed to get a pet portrait commission yesterday while strolling around the local dog show!

This bloomed in our living room over the weekend - the hibiscus is cerainly enjoying the hot temperatures we have had!

Can't Paint, Won't Paint....

Wow, I am having trouble this summer!  I finally have the time to paint but just cannot concentrate due to the incessant noise and vibrations from the building work going on three feet from our house.  It is very frustrating!  I did manage to sit out in the garden late yesterday afternoon and rattle off a few watercolour sketches - felt good to get something on paper, small and rough though it is.  Maybe today I might get a chance...

I discovered this yesterday - my hibiscus plant has not produced a flower for several years as our summers have been pretty awful lately. However, the warmth and light of this summer have kicked it into action and there are several buds growing.  This flower is about the size of a side plate - gorgeous!

On The Go....

I'm currently painting this little picture of a hummingbird drinking from a hibiscus flower and having to write a  tutorial as I go.  I'm using Derwent Inktense pencils and colour blocks - they are just perfect for projects of this type.

This is to be used in conjunction with an article I had to write for a magazine about these pencils - exciting days!

There are rather a lot of knitted WIPS on the go at the moment - sharing my time amongst them is becoming quite a challenge.

Flowers Finally!

Although I have potato illustrations pending, I took today off and did a loose painting of the hibiscus plant I have growing in my living room. It wasn't supposed to be loose, but the bottom bloom starting dying before my eyes - it is incredibly hot today (for Britain anyway!) and I guess that speeds up the wilting process. So I had to really go fast and sacrifice some of the detail.

I have used Chinese watercolour but in my own style - it's just a lovely medium to use for flower work as you can lift off the colour easily, re-work it if it is wetted again, and also the colours are ideal for such exotic blooms. Considering it was executed in just over an hour, which is not my usual way of working, I am very happy with how it has turned out.


The last time I painted hibiscus was in situ in the garden of our hotel in St. Lucia nine years ago - our one and only long-haul holiday. While I was painting this flower, a hummingbird paid a visit just long enough for me to get a very rough painted sketch down. Not my best work, but a permanent reminder of a very special moment.

So tomorrow it is back to spuds, but I feel refreshed from a brief floral interlude!