Weather bitterly cold again!  Difficult to take a walk with Henry.  Poor boy.  Swam 100 lengths this week (over 3 days!).  

Plein air this Friday was at East Cowes and followed by coffee in my favourite Artisan cafe.  We only did an hour because it was very cold and in addition, it rained so that I got spots of water on my painting.

Tried another "challenge" this week, working right through from Notan sketch to final painting.  The procedure was fine, but the final watercolour painting was not too good.  However, I did repeat the painting in gouache and oil.

This shows part of the preparation work.

 

Here is the oil painting version.  This is the third challenge  I've done and it does make my think a bit harder when I am painting.

Additionally Perry has printed off loads of our landscape photos into very small format and I am working my way through them painting small gouache studies. Done 8 so far.

Perry's toes are still swollen and his foot hurts quite a bit.  Looks like it will take a while to heal properly.

Using paint shop pro hasn't been much of a success for me so far.  I'm too lazy and get distracted.  However, we have been watching Jack Reacher on prime video.  Much easier than PSP. Christmas in a couple of days, so merry Christmas to everyone.  If you are reading this Chris C, I have been late in sending out my cards this year, but will send you an email asap. xx

 Another bitterly cold week. Managed to go swimming twice this week.  Amazing. I did my annual assessment of my achievements in painting etc for this year.  Mmm.  Not too good.  I had hoped to spend considerably less than last year, but not the case.  Still it wasn't as much as last year, so that's at least positive.  I also didn't sell as many paintings.  Following this assessment, I felt I really should try harder and be a bit more positive about painting, and get on and do things.  So, I found a photo I quite liked, and did all the appropriate preparations

Here's the start.  I did follow it with a painting, but it was a bit naff, so I'm now doing another one (can see in the background) but I'm only half way through.

We also bought an updated Paintshop Pro.  As I've never used it before, I'm starting from scratch and working through the tutorials.  There is loads of stuff I will never use, but I hope |I will be able to get some things from it.

Went out with our little Plein Air group on Friday to Brading, well the graveyard behind the church.  It really was very cold so we abandoned to the Roman Villa after an hour and had coffee and cake and celebrated Mike's birthday.

The paint wouldn't dry so I limited the amount I put on, and just touched up with ink.

Roast beef today, so I'd better get on and do it.

 Bitterly cold weekend and incredibly windy.  So we've stayed inside, hunckered down.  Perry fell  on the stairs this morning and has dislocated his toe, which means he's a bit incapacitated at the moment.

Went out on Friday morning for the plein air painting and although it was cold, very, painted at St Helens.  I did have to work quite hard because, although it was occasionally sunny, it was also cold and windy and finding somewhere interesting to paint and sheltered, was not that easy.  Only Elise and I this time.

Looks a bit wishy washy.  Need to use a bit more colour, but difficult when everything is a bit dull.

Did an oil pastel painting on Wednesday, but forgot to photograph it.

Think I'll just mess with my watercolours this afternoon.  At least it's in the warm.

 Another pretty full on week.  Back to the vet with Muffin, and yes, back on medication for a week, plus he has to wear one of those awful cones.  Sent off for a softy one, which I think he appreciates.

This Wednesday I was totally on my own at the Priory, but I did produce an oil pastel sketch - also include the one I did last week,

This is the one I did on Wednesday.

This is the one from the week before.

Friday I went back out painting with the group.  It was at Ryde and the weather was pretty dull. I did a few very quick sketches.  I was on the edge of feeling uncomfortable with the person I had a difficulty with, but managed to ignore it.  Still a bit unsettling.

Just this week, everything seems to have broken - oven door, back door and now the dryer door!

Bits arrived for the Portable Painter - now need to update.

New boards so my "painting room" should be tidier!

Was doing some water colour yesterday, and found I had been doing too much gouache.  Must get back to practising  a bit more.

Henry is having a huge challenge with his eating lately, because I've included peas.  They are driving him mad because he can't just suck them from his puzzle bowl.  Meals now take 25 minutes.  Good for us but obviously not for him!

 What a week.  Weather has been completely upside down.  Two days of freezing cold, including snow and today we are in our second day of gale force winds. Swimming only ended up as one day this week, but now I have a new swimsuit I've run out of excuses!

Continuing with my oil pastels on a Wednesday at the Priory, but I think I'm going to have to bring in more than one reference photo because I finish the picture in an hour and we have a two hour slot.  Still we had a jolly time over our coffee and cake.

I did manage to go to Osborne House on Friday, on my own, even though it was absolutely freezing. Managed a sketch, but it was bitterly cold and my fingers started to hurt.

I was pretty amazed by this tree, it was so twisted.

I've been checking my colour palettes as well to make sure they have the correct colours.

Some are a bit better than others and I will have to change over a couple of colours. Also found that I need to revisit the brushes I use for each palette.

Also put in an order for another palette that I have covetted for ages and some accessories to go with it.  They arrived along with a new pair of slippers. Lovely.

Muffin and Henry are still ok, although Muffin is asleep most of the time.  No long walks for him.  

The boat appears to have survived the cold and now the very strong winds.  Thanks goodness.

Last weekend we sailed to Lymington.  It took three hours and ended up much colder than we had anticipated.  Yes, we were slilghtly underdressed!  Went into the Yacht Haven for a bit of luxury - lovely.  Took a little while to warm the boat up but when it was all snuggly warm, it was lovely.  Henry and I went into town on Saturday and bought him a new coat, mainly because the other one didn't fit over his tummy and was not a very good fit overall.  The rest of the day was spent just mooching about.  As it was still very cold and overcast and also because of not wanting to overstress Muffin we didn't do much walking.  However we did buy the antifouling, which was the aim of the trip anyway.  Sunday sailed back, and it only took two hours and not quite as cold.

Didn't manage much during the week.  Limited amount of painting - just sketching really, even when I went out.  Also only managed to go swimming once!

Thursday went to have laser treatment on secondard cataract.  Unfortunately, it was in both eyes!  Perry and the boys waited patiently for almost three hours.  Anyway, for £1800 I had both eyes done, and this morning, there still appears to be something affecting my left eye.  So, another phone call tomorrow.  

Have definitely been lacking in enthusiasm this week, perhaps because it's been  very dull, cold and overcast all week.  Poor excuse, I know.

 

 Again quite a difficult time,

We had two weeks exhibiting at The Priory.  I managed to sell quite a few cards, especially the trees, and even sold a painting.  However, all was not well because I had a rather stupid row with someone, which has left me in a rather awkward position.  I either apologise, but I don't know what I am apologising for, or just get on with life.  That seems the better option, but will mean that I will not longer be going painting with the plein air group on a Friday.   So, I will have to make a better effort to go out on my own.  Unfortunately I have always had the philosophy that people never fail to disappoint me, and unfortunately this has proved it yet again.  At almost 75 years old I really do not need this trivia!

Oh goodness.  Google has changed how you upload photos again! This is one of the bits from the exhibition showing some of my cards.

Showing some of the display.

I had my covid and flu jab and as usual didn't feel to special the next day.

Also had my mineral infusion for my bones - I really felt awful after that.  Not immediately but for the next four days.  Incredible pain.  Still forewarned etc. so now I know how I will feel when I have the next one this time next year!

Daniel and Alice were with us for the weekend. And that was absolutely lovely.  They came to see the exhibition and on Saturday we sailed down to Yarmouth for lunchtime stop. Even got Alice on the helm. Fabulous sail back.  On Sunday morning we went to Osborne and although a bit damp, it was really lovely.

I've been out for a couple of morning paintings. I've really missed that, so I think I should start that again.  This morning, however it is incredibly dull, so I painted from a reference photo.

Didn't think it was too bad for a sketch.

Took Muffin to vet and then had to take him to vet hospital to see cardiologist.  His heart is in a bad way and we have been warned that he will not be with us for that much longer.  Increased medication will only put off the inevitable just a bit longer.  In the meantime we are giving him lots of love and treasuring each moment.

 Bit of a difficult week this week.  I have done some oil painting sketches, I've also followed a Live gouache painting demonstration, which was not particularly good and also a Gouache paintalong, which was much better.  I am at week 9 of my Gouache course and today is flowers, and I'm about a third of the way through.  Flowers are not really my thing, but the course has been delivered in such a way that I do feel that I need to challenge myself with this.  So after I finish this blog, I will get back to it.

We have our exhibition at the Priory and have just completed one of the two weeks we are there.  The display looks good but we have only sold cards so far, no paintings.  However that was to be expected.  My "trees" cards have sold ok, which was a surprise and has given my thoughts about other things I could co.

Unfortunately I found out yesterday that I had my camera on the wrong setting, so have managed to screw up all the photos I took of the exhibition.  On Tuesday when I am back on stewarding, I will take more photos and publish them next week.

On Thursday I had my Covid and Flu jabs and as the weather was so lovely we had lunch on the boat.  Unfortunately in the evening I didn't really feel so good and that went through the night.  By Friday morning I really did feel a bit rough, but had to go to the Priory because I was back on stewarding duty.  Friday and Saturday were also really lovely days, but today, Sunday, it's awful!  Rain and wind and everything is really dark and depressing.   We did manage to take the boys out for their morning walk but haven't managed anything since.  Hopefully it will stop raining so we can take them out this evening. 

Well I'd better get back to trying flowers both drawing and in gouache.

 Yet again three weeks! Muffin is fine now, thank goodness.  The conservatory has been empty for most of the last three week.  In the meantime, I just about finished the challenge of six months painting outside every day.  The weather just about beat me.  I think I missed eight days in total of the six months.  Some of the paintings were pretty bad I have to confess.  Should work harder next time.

It is Inktober now and I have been doing ink sketches, mainly inside!  Also I have been trying to work on the gouache while not able to paint in oils yet (because the conservatory is my oil art room).  Some have been ok, others..... well, not so good.

Oh my goodness, Google has changed how I move pictures.  Surprised this worked!  Above is a sample of some of the gouache studies I have done.  Definitely work in progress.

Painted with our Winter Plein Air group at Osborne on Friday.  I certainly bit off more than I can chew. Much too ambitious.  Should have thought about what I was doing.

Swimming has been off for a week, because the Leisure Centre are cleaning the pool! Good.

Weather has been up and down.  A bit too much rain, and now it's getting colder.

Definitely have to work on concentration.......which I will do......

 Three weeks and I haven't posted.  As regards the painting, it's all been a bit difficult.  Enthusiasm is at a minimum and I have found it difficult to concentrate for more than an hour at a time.  The  morning sketches have been turning out to be really rubbishy and the Tuesday painting has all been a bit of something and nothing.   I have painted at Bembridge and it was just ok and also at Osborne house, again just ok,  Must really start seriously thinking about what I am trying to do and achieve.  I have however bought  a couple of sketching bags from Just Go Sketching in the hope that I might get a bit more inspired.

We did have a weekend in Lymington but it didn't turn out to be that great as it was crowded and difficult to get about generally.  It was also for two days just too hot to do anything!

Muffin was very ill last Thursday and we had to take him to the animal hospital.  He is now recovering ably assisted by lots of medication.  That has also stopped us doing anything.

He has a follow up visit this Thursday. I'm sure all will be well.  Then the following week we have to clear everything out of the conservatory because we are having a new roof.  That should take about a week.  Following that we should, hopefully, be clear and aim to get in a bit of sailing before the weather causes severe problems, and hopefully I can get my head round painting!

 What a mess of a fortnight.  We finally got the awning for the boat.  It's ok.  Could have been better.  Anyway we decided to finally go for our hopefully week long sail.  But we had to first wait for the weather to settle.  We finally got away last Monday, took ages to fill the boat up as we had completely emptied it after our long holiday.  Got to Lymington on Monday and we had booked for two night.  Daniel and Beatrice came down on Tuesday and stayed with us for ages.  Had a really lovely time.  Everyone was very relaxed.  However Tuesday evening we had to make a decision because, surprise, surprise the weather was going to change again.  Wednesday morning we made the decision to leave bright and early.  Had a really good sail down to East Cowes.  Lunch on the boat, followed by a bit of messing about then emptying the boat!  Lucky we did come back because Thursday and Friday were awful.  It's now Sunday and we are preparing to go to Lymington again on Tuesday after my blood test.  The weather looks ok for the next few days, so fingers crossed.

I've broken my no buy rule for art.  Bought some paper, two sketch books and an art bag.  I don't like the sketching paper I'm on at the moment, so thank goodness only one more page to go.

Last group painting was at Ventnor.  Have now missed another two!

 A week of not  much! Didn't go painting on Tuesday because of rain and nothing was arranged for Friday.  We finally got the awning for the boat so now we just want a fairly decent day when we can go out sailing.  Managed to go swimming three times this week, maximum was 40 lengths.  

Have continued with my ten minute morning paint, but they are definitely a bit scrappy and rushed.  However, today I took more time and concentrated more.  It was better.

Henry and Muffin definitely do not like the hot weather and it is very difficult to take them out.

Going to Ventnor this Tuesday. 

 Well I should really have posted last week because I've ended up with quite a few bits and pieces.  Let's hope I manage to transfer the pictures ok.

The club painting was (two Tuesdays ago) at Carisbrooke.

Some people didn't want to part with their money to enter the castle, so inside there was only a relatively small group.

On the following Friday as the weather was going to be fine, I suggested to our winter group that we could paint at Osborne.  Mike agreed.  Nice walk down to the beach and I had about an hour on my own, which meant I had to concentrate! Just after 11.00 Mike and Pam turned up. It really was quite relaxing.

The following Tuesday the club met at Freshwater.  It was incredibly hot and although I managed to have a very paddle in the sea for a few minutes, I was concerned about overheating! Mike and I stayed for an hour and then went over the road for a coffee - in the shade! Above picture is all I could manage. 

People were swimming in the sea, but I think quite a few were going to get very sunburnt!

This last Friday as the good weather was going to continue, I suggested we have another session out, this time at Newtown.  Mike agreed. 

Doesn't it look absolutely lovely.  Mike had had a stresssful couple of days and unfortunately forgot to bring his paper for painting!  Not to worry, I had spare.

Here's my effort.

I also managed to do a gouache painting from the course I've been trying to follow.

There were two subjects, but I made a total mess of the other one.  I even tried doing it again, but still no success.

I've broken my rule of not buying any art materials.  I've finished another sketch book and had to order more.

Some of my paintings were in the Happy Foot shop in East Cowes, but it had to close for Covid, and the owner is not in a position to reopen.  It has taken me nearly a year to get my pictures back, and I finally got them yesterday!

I managed to swim three times last week. Some bits were better than others. I'm hoping to do three sessions this coming week.

Went to vet with Muffin and his heart murmur is slightly worse - hence why he's sleeping all the time.  Must keep an eye on him  The hot weather hasn't helped.

Perry was 79 yesterday.  Had a nice lunch, but didn't do anything extraorindary. He's gone cycling this morning, which as far as priorities is concerned, is pretty important.

Our awning for the boat still hasn't been finished! Starting to get a bit fed up about it.  We are hoping it will be finished this week.

Temperature is now dropping off a little, and that means we are back to normal.

 We have had a couple of really really hot days.  Trouble is because we are not used to it, it is very fatiguing.  Still no awning for the boat.  Perhaps next week, and then we can go off again for a little break.

I have been wrestling with oil paints and did three of hay bales.  Final one looked a bit better

Definitely an improvement on the other two.  But still work in progress.  Working on a scene from Fort Victoria now.  I managed the sky really well, but the rest was a total disaster.  Now on version two.

I'm up to 112 sketches outside.  However, some of them are a bit rubbishy.

Still swimming twice a week, although I do find it really hard.

Fracture clinic on Wednesday.  Either more steroid injection, operation or live with the pain. I chose the latter.  It's not so bad now.

I'll see what art I  can manage today.  I must admit I have little bursts and then do nothing. Not good.

 Again weather up and down.  I managed to go swimming twice last week.  The awning for the boat is still not finished and we are reluctant to go away again until it is finished.  Fingers crossed for next week.

I finished my 100 plein air challenge and I think I will continue until I have done six months (hopefully).  That will take me until the end of September.

I finished (finally) a watercolour painting.

I have just found out that inserting images has changed again! Oh well.  Anyway, I did manage to frame it as well.  Also I put together the framed pictures ready for our exhibition in September.

I'll see if I can manage to put this on my website.  Perhaps that'll be the challenge for today!

Back to the fracture clinic on Wednesday for yet another check on my wrist. The rest of the week will again just be messing about.

 Weather very up and down again.  I've been keeping up with my 100 day plein air painting/sketching challenge, and am now on day 98.  Nearly there.  Some of the paintings/sketches as been pretty awful, but some just about ok.  However, it has been good to make the effort to get out everyday and do something.  Not sure what to do when it's complete, perhaps just carry on to complete six months.

I've also just started to continue with a large watercolour painting that I started about 4 months ago!  It does require concentration and I've been a bit short of that lately.  Hopefully it will be complete in the next couple of days if I go slowly and carefully.

The disaster of the week was that I was scammed yesterday.  What a state of hopelessness you feel in.  I got it sorted with the bank, thankfully, but it really does leave an awful feeling of having been violated!

It's raining pretty hard at the moment, so I'm going to try and do a bit more of my watercolour painting.

 It's been a very busy and catch-up week, so unfortunately I haven't got round to sorting the photos out yet.

I've been continuing my plein air and am now on day 90.  Not sure what I will do when I get to the target of 100, might just carry on until I get to 6 months daily paint.

We've just about finished tidying up the boat so it's now ready for our next sortie, which hopefully will be soon.

I'm sorting pictures ready for our exhition in September.  Got out the pictures which will be used for making cards (a job to visit printer, perhaps next week) and I need to buy some frames. At least I've started on that project.

Also been working on some refresher watercolour techniques, which has been good fun.

 Latest update.  Following the very wet week in May we had a couple of  really nice days during which we started to get the boat ready for our holiday.  Dogs had to get their hair cut, me too, get in enough dog supplies.  etc. etc. Well off we went.  First night in Yarmouth. Very nice then off the next day at quite a civilised time, crossing Weyouth Bay to Portland.  Weather still ok, just, but starting to get a bit cold in the evenings as the wind was coming from the North.  Five days in Portland then off crossing Lyme Bay to Dartmouth.  Again a sensible departure time.  The boys started to get a bit fed up after about 8 hours, and we still have two to go.

Arrived in Dartmouth and took advantage of their visitors long stay deal.  Then it really started to get cold - and so it continued for the next fortnight, with the odd warm afternoon.  Quite windy as well.  Decided not to press on further as we were not sure how Muffin would get on once we weren't attached to a pontoon.

After two weeks, found a decent weather window and went back across Lyme Bay.  Had just over a week in Portland.  Again very cold in the evenings, and warm afternoons.  Met up with Dick and Judith for a couple of days.  Then another good weather window and we headed off to Lymington.  Had a really good trip.  Ended up staying a week in Lymington, and the weather just about started to perk up a bit, even though the evenings were still a bit cool.

Next step, Bucklers Hard where we spend three nights.  Finally the weather was good.  Had a lovely time and the return journey was great.  Since then the weather has been warm.  We are going to stay at home for a couple of weeks a we've got things to do, and then after the election, hopefully go off out again.  Maybe days out, maybe a bit longer.  Who knows.

I've managed to sketch every day.  As I am trying a 100 day plein air sketching challenge, I have had motivation to get out and do something.  Although some, in fact, quite a lot, of the sketches are pretty rubbishy.  However, I am now on number 82.  Will update the blog, hopefully, next week with some photos and paintings.

 Last week we met at Mottistone for our plein  air session.  Cold and damp as usual.  This week, which in fact is our final winter plein air meeting, we met at Newtown Creek.  Surprise, surprise, it was cold and damp.
I sat with Mike, and after an hour we went to the old town hall where we had agreed to have coffee and cake,  Unfortunately the others carried on painting, and we had to get back.  However, we did eat a lot of cake.  Next week will be outdoor painting with the IWAC.  Not sure how much I will do because we are hoping to get away on the boat.  Unfortunately, Muffin has had a couple of episodes where he collapsed (over excitement), so we will have to be quite careful of what we do.

I did managed to complete the whole of PleinAirPril.  I did do all the pictures in guoache.  Not my favourite medium, but I have learnt a lot.  I am now continuing the challenge into the "100" daily paintings.  They don't all have to be completed outside - thank goodness! Anyway, so far so good.  I will continue with gouache for the time being as I feel I have made some progress, but once we are away I will work with watercolour.

I did manage to finish an oil sketch, in the style I have been trying to develop.  Still a lot of work is needed in this form, but I did feel as though I had finally got something.

As a small group we have managed to secure an exhibition at the end of October for two weeks, at the Priory. I am happy to steward all the six days, because I can use the time to pretend I am on a painting retreat, and just paint.

Weather has been much warmer and sunnier, but still getting overcast days and rain.  We are hoping to get away this coming weekend, but we willl just have to see weatherwise.  However, we are gradually getting the boat ready.

Blog will only continue if I can get a good WiFi signal.

 Finally sunshine, but still very cold.  I've been carrying on with the April Plein Air month, painting daily with gouache.  However, progress has been pretty bad.  I don't like this stuff as an outdoor medium.  Think it is something that will stay indoors! Still messing about with oil paints and oil pastels on a Wednesday.  Winter Plein Air was at Carisbrooke this Friday.  Again very cold and limited sunshine.

Did two sketches at the same time.  I moved between the two as they were drying.  These are of Beatrice's garden.

 Managed to finally move the boat off the mooring on Sunday.  Step by step but we did get up the river and  Muffin was ok. Next step is down the river towards the Solent.

Missed a couple of swimming sessions and felt really guilty, but I did go on Thursday.  Apparently feeling guilty is the norm!

 So much for thinking April was going to be a turning point! Wet and incredibly windy.   I have been doing Pleinairpril every day with gouache, but every day the painting has turned out a disaster.  Even painting outside at Arreton Barns on Friday I produced absolute rubbish.  Been a bad week for all my painting.  I think I need to concentrate a bit more instead of rushing.

I have been trying a bit of book binding.  Which started off ok, but yesterday's session the presenter made a mistake, which I obviously followed, and then had to redo bits.  However, it is only the first and prototype for me.

The dogs keep getting each other into trouble.  How on earth do they manage to do that?  The awning has not been finished for the boat, even though I told the guys cutoff was end of March.  On top of all that, swimming has been a bit indifferent.

Perhaps next week will be ok.

 We've had a couple of nice days this week.  Finally.  Outdoor painting was Friday and was at Osborne house.  My painting wasn't too special, but when the sun came out the view was lovely.

More and more people were arriving as the sun really made it's presence felt.

Tomorrow is the start of Pleinairpril and I've been practicing painting gouache outside - bit tricky, but will carry on with it.  Perhaps start with the garden first.

Missed swimming on Thursday due to a long traffic jam. - Poor excuse!

Taken the dogs down to the boat a couple of times now, but Muffin is still very nervous.  Have to work on that.

The sun has just come out, so I'd better get on and practice that gouache.

 Just got back from walk with Henry - absolutely bitterly cold out there even though the sun is shining.  Managed to get in a quick sketch.

Last Monday we were at St Helens.  My sketch was pretty mundane, think I need to concentrate more.

Have continued doing oil pastel sketches on a Wednesday and gouache and oil sketches as often as possible, but to be honest, I haven't really been very motivated.

Here is one of the oil sketches

Not too displeased, perhaps it will make a reasonable subject for a proper painting.

Swimming is going ok,  Have managed to do 40 lengths a couple of times.

Our Monday plein air group have decided to become Friday plein air group.  This will give us the chance of more cafes being open.  We have also drawn up a more comprehensive list.  So that should be good.  We start this coming Friday and as it's easter have decided to go to Osborne, because at least we will get parked there.

 Cold, rain, sunshine - whatever you wanted, we had it this week.  Monday's painting was at the Green Yarmouth. A bit cold, but I managed something in an hour. 

I did change some bits and pieces, but again I really must move away from a book which is spiral bound.  Unfortunately I discovered in my stash, that I actually have two more of these books! As April is plein air month, hopefully I can use up one of the books.

Swimming is progressing ok.  But the dogs are starting to be a bit naughty!

Boat comes out next week, so that will involve a lot of  to-ing and fro-ing for Perry.

Got a super little cushion laptray on which I can do painting and drawing.  Hopefully.   I know it breaks my no art materials year, but I thought it would be really useful.  Can have it in the car as well.  However, I must use it!

 Again what a mixed bag of weather.  Didn't put anything out last week because my plein air work was pretty awful.  It was at Godshill and of course it rained.  For the rest of the week and this week I've been messing about with my oil paints, a bit of gouache and drawing and oil pastel.  On Monday we went to Noethwood House in Cowes, although it was very cold we did manage to get a bit of painting in.

Mike and I found a very sheltered spot, even though it had a hedge in the way.  The others, although a better view, were really exposed to that cold wind.

I've been carrying on with oil pastels, which I do find really relaxing, but only do them once a week.

Perry and I seem to have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to sort out out BT contract.  Think we've got it sorted now.  I hope.

The very cold or very wet weather has made it difficult to take the boys out and I think they are getting a bit stir crazy......

Although the sun is shining today it is bitterly cold.  Let's hope it gets a bit warmer and we can hopefully have a fun day out!

 What a mixed bag of weather.  Monday was absolutely fabulous our little Plein Air Painting group met at Brook.  The views were spectacular, and after painting we went to the Isle of Wight Pearl for coffee and then mooched about looking at expensive pearls!

I was quite happy with this picture, but I have decided that once this sketchbook is completed, I will try and avoid a sketchbook with spiral binding.  Although I think I may have another one in my stash!

Perry and I actually went to a garden centre when the boys were getting groomed.  Have cleared one area of the garden which was a mess and put a few plants in.  This motivated us to start on another part of the garden which is a mess, and we have made quite a bit of progress.

Painted the shower room, but had to touch up places this morning!

Started to get things ready for oil painting and a watercolour session, but all of a sudden motivation dropped out.  Not good.

Tomorrow's painting is likely to be damp, but will try anyway.  Swimming is ok.

 Shouldn't moan about the weather, but it really hasn't been too special.  For our Monday plein air session which was at Newchurch to paint the snowdrops, it started to drizzle and then rain.  Which really scuppered watercolour painting.  Abandoned to the pub where Mike very kindly produced some cakes.

I finished another oil  pastel - not too special, but at least I am continuing with OPs. Did a gouache with an online course

Interesting approach.

Swimming is progressing and I have decided to finish the lessons and just keep pushing on myself.

Just thought I would include a picture of Henry and Muffin when we were in Lincolnshire.

Both had to be on the same pillow!

 Rather a difficult week.  We went to |Lincolnshire to help with sorting Ann's house out. The weather was really very cold, but the cottage we stayed in was fabulous.  Like living in a designer's choice place - except the heating went wrong one day. The village we were in was rather nice as well, Partney, and we were also very luck with the weather in that although very cold, it didn't rain and we had sunshine.

We felt sorting her house out was a bit depressing and we have come away thinking that we really must sort out all the rubbish we have accumulated here and get things into some sort of order.  I started on that yesterday, but we do have quite a way to go.

On the good side it was nice to meet up again with Lynn, Dave and Sebastian - although perhaps the circumstances weren't the best for chatting!  The boys (i.e. Henry and Muffin) had a great time, dashing about full speed as much as they possibly could.

I only managed a couple of teeny weeny sketches, and they were a bit rubbishy.

Five hours mainland driving does not make for a very happy bunch of people.  It has taken us about 36 hours to get over that and the overall feeling of the whole week.

 I'm sure my laptop has a mind of its own.  As soon as I say I must do this in a hurry - nothing works!  I might have trouble uploading a couple of pictures, but if this is the case, I will work on them for next week.  Plein air painting on Monday was at Gurnard.  Cold and windy as expected but at least it was dry.

OK, so I got the photo in, but don't seem to be able to shrink it.  That will make a difference when I try and transfer any pictures onto the website.

I also managed to do an ink and wash drawing that I've been meaning to do for ages.

This is the picture I don't seem to be able to shink.  However, I will work on it.  I'm generally quite pleased with this.  Took a while, but that's ok.

Have been working on another watercolour, which so far hasn't really been working out.  Have to add a couple of things/try a couple of things, and see if that improves it.  

We're away tomorrow for five days, going to Lincolnshire.  Weather looks as though it might be chilly, but no rain forecast.  Will try and get some sketches in.

 Wow, another week of really really cold.  |However managed to get out on Monday for our Plein Air painting/sketching.  Went to Harvey Brown's in Arreton.  At least we had sunshine this time! Made all the different and the cake and coffee we good.  Good turnout, Elise, Mike, Pam and Patsy. 

I did do another one, but I am happy with this sketch because it's light and airy, as a sketch should be.  

Have managed to sort out some of my paintings file on the laptop.  Deleted quite a few, but managed to sort and put the rest in some sort of organised space.  Amazing for me.  Let's see if I can keep it up.

Finished the watercolour painting of Parkhurst Forest - OK with that as well.

As you can see, I did two and yes they are different.  I prefer the second one, and that's the one going on my website.

Looks as though we (that is Mike and I) may have a venue for Open Studios this summer.  Have to check out times etc.  I could be held at MADVIK in East Cowes.

Also have done some guoache practice and lots of drawing practice, with the aim of a full picture (I hope).

Swimming progressing ok.  Henry appears to have been a little depressed of late, but had a long exciting walk with him yesterday and now he's fine.  I think maybe he's just realise that Muffin is here to stay!  Muffin received a clean bill of health on Tuesday (at vast expense).  So all is good.

 Again really very very cold.  Looks like this weather is in to stay for a bit.  Still messing about with photos, learning all the time. When you move an image, the origianl stays in the original file.  No wonder I have about 6 million photos all with similar titles.  Job for today, try and sort it!

Monday saw us painting out in the freezing cold at the Causeway.  Fortunately we all brought a flask and were having our first warm drink after an hour.  I don't think we could have managed much more, but we followed the hour's painting with cake at the End of the Line in Freshwater. Pam was a bit late for the painting, but Mike, Elise and I all managed something.

I am not sure I really like this way of doing sketches and will probably not buy another book like this (oops jusst remembered I have one in the stash!), but the paper is good.

Working on some larger paintings at home.

I am in the process of doing another one of Parkhurst as I feel it could do with a better centre of interest.  However, it's nice to be using more paint!

Followed a paintalong which was supposed to be in gouache, but as I have only a few colours I mixed it was some watercolour as well.  Felt a bit out of control.

Looks like we will definitely have one or two dates to exhibit at Quarr in 2025, but still waiting to hear if we have any cancellations for this year.

Swimming is still progrressingk albeit slowly.  Generally feeling slightly more motivated than the last 18/24 months.  Let's hope that continues.

 My goodness it's cold today, and it looks as though we are likely to have a week of this.  On a positive note, at least it's not raining.

Monday's plein air was at the Lifeboat Pub, here in East Cowes.  Difficult one to get enthusiastic about, especially as it was a little on the dull side.

Just quick sketches from the veranda.

I finished the oil pastel, and decided one of the oil pastel sets I have just had to go.  It isn't smooth and leaves lots of bits.  So into the discard it's gone.

That inspired me to have a look at some of the art supplies I've acquired..... and I cleared out a few things I am just not going to use and don't like.

I started a watercolour painting, and had a problem getting it just the way I wanted it.  After the third attempt I think I've done it.

I'm going to call it Woodland Walk, Mottistone and stare at it for a few days to see if I'm happy with it.  If I am, then I will put it on my website.

Have also done a bit of red chalk, or Conte drawing, which I like.

Will be starting the gouache course soon, but in the meantime have to prepare some bits and bobs for a paintalong next Friday.

For swimming on Tuesday, I had a lane to myself.  Wonderful, and I think I made a bit more progress.  I don't particularly like swimming, but feel I should continue.

Perry has continued working on the boat.  Found a leak, and sorted that.  Appears it was due to stanchion base coming loose.  He's also managed to get in a couple of bike rides, although both times came back absolutely drenched.

Muffin is getting along ok with Henry, although he often doesn't like going out for a morning walk - probably because it's been raining.

Think tomorrow's painting may be a bit of a problem as the forecast is so cold.  Let's wait and see.