Two, in fact - the Ouse and the Foss, a tributary of the Ouse, joining it at Skeldergate. I've now stopped hating the painting so have uncovered it again, although I've lost my temper with it to the extent that this post was almost called A Fist Goes Through It. Oh - look at my paintbrush!  (Obviously this isn't the only one I possess.)  I do trim my paintbrushes down when they get old but alas, this one has finally shed its hairs quicker than my cat at the vet and I will have to find ...

Good technique Lots of changes, some obvious, others less so.  Still concentrating on one picture element at a time with the rest of the painting covered up, so I rarely see the whole thing in its entirity (also a good thing).  Currently, I am bringing each section into focus by building up form and detail.  Once all thirty-eight elements (including stone surrounds and title) have been sharpened, the final detail can go on. Bad mood Thomas Herbert's House is now my fourth (and h...

Or so it feels.  Haven't done anything on this for a while but it's been a busy few weeks (in which I have been doing other small paintings) but we've also been away to York - hurrah!  Apart from the compulsory sampling of delightful chocolates, exquisite fudge, incomparable ice creams (this side of the Med anyway) and awesome bars, it also meant I could re-photograph a few details I need. With impending despair creeping ever closer like the shadow of Mordor, I have resorted to covering up th...

Thank you to everyone who called in to see my exhibition over the last three weeks and to those of you who left comments in the book - it really means a lot to me and I'm very grateful.  It has also given me more confidence and was useful to see what people liked, so I am more than  happy to continue painting cakes and sweets which has nothing to do with the fact they'll need eating immediately. If you are contacting me through my website, please ensure that email addresses are entered correc...

At least every area now has paint on it although there is obviously one bit which is conspicuous by the absence of paint...  I will do it, honest!  The Fudge Kitchen is starting to take shape, as is Lendal Cellar just below it.  Thomas Herbert's house has more detail and I'm also building up The Hospitium and the view from City Screen at the bottom.  Once St Mary's Abbey is done I can do the bracket for the Guy Fawkes Inn sign and by then I'll have hopefully thought of something to stick in ...

My exhibition is now on at Taunton Library for three weeks!  It finishes on 12th August so why not pop in if you are in the area?  There will be a book for comments and all constructive feedback will be greatly appreciated as it's very useful to know what appeals to people and what they dislike.  Hope you are able to visit!

Looking a swampy mess now - most of it is screaming out for some form and the lack of detail everywhere is driving me nuts.  Having hit the stage where I hate the painting, every detail will now be vital to sustaining my sanity, whether it's making the walled steps look less like Cirith Ungol or turning a globulus splurge into some bricks and a fine cocktail. I've taken some close-ups of particular features and will do so again once they're finished for a before-and-after comparison, but ...

Spot the difference...  Yes, changed it again.  Moved the rose - didn't want it obscuring the Minster even though it would be an advantage to have to paint less of that magnificent building!  The House of the Trembling Madness will now be under Clifford's Tower and I'm thinking of putting the interior of Lendal Cellar below its sign.  The Chocolate Heaven sign has been replaced with the Kings Arms - probably the most flooded pub in the world (worth checking out when you go to York) and some ...

Had to re-think a couple of things this week.  It made sense to give the main space at the bottom to The Shambles and besides, I wanted to give this iconic area a prime spot.  I also think the view from City Screen fits better bottom left.  I'm changing my view of Lower Petergate (blank space on the right-hand side) because, although that street has a lot to offer, I mainly go there for the Fudge Kitchen and most of my photos are of, well... fudge.  I don't want a busy street scene there in ...

Looking messy, but that's how I work!  It'll look fine once the detail goes on...  Eventually, the picture borders will look like wall but for now I'm just getting everything marked out. So what are we looking at? Two views of the city walls flanking the top pictures, which are the Betty's Tea Rooms sign, Bootham Bar, a white rose (of course), a space for York Minster, and one of the stone staircases inside the walls with what will be a small pork pie.   (more…)