I wasn't sure if this painting was going to work, I was happy with the composition, I had a focal point (cottage) there is a lead in to the focal point (path), a big tree to the left of the painting balanced out with thinner, taller trees on the right, but I felt there was a lot of foliage and the light was a bit flat as it was a dull day but I was hoping the autumnal colours would make up for the lack of sunshine. However, still not sure if I was happy with it I decided to s

Because of one thing and another it feels like an eternity since I last did a painting, I have finally been able to quite literally dust off my paints and create again, it was heaven and I have missed it. Hence this months painting which I've aptly titled 'Heaven on Earth', it is based on a photograph I took on an early December morning dog walk along Shanklin beach, Isle of Wight last year. I was attracted to paint this picture as I loved the way the sun's rays were poking o

It feels like a lifetime since I last did any painting, in fact I feel more like a juggler than an artist at the moment trying to juggle so many different tasks in preparation for my art exhibition but I'm not complaining as I'm so excited to be participating in the 'Isle of Wight Open Studios' event again this year and thankful that at present it is still going ahead. Unfortunately though there seems to be a delay with the printing of the booklets this year so sadly I still

I have done a couple of quick watercolour paintings this month inspired by my morning dog walks along Shanklin seafront. It's not that I'm trying to rush things but more a case of fitting in some painting where I can, and more a case of not having as much patience as I used to, not only that but I seem to lose the momentum with bigger paintings and find it difficult sometimes to pick up where I left off, plus I don't really know where this month has gone again! I felt quite

Same reference photo, same board, same paint, same brushes, different outcome... My inspiration this month has come once again from one of my favourite spots on the Island Steephill Cove, Ventnor. These paintings were both created from the same reference photo which I took back on a very cold February afternoon this year, just after taking this photo it began to snow (sadly it didn't come to anything much to my daughter's disappointment!) I was attracted to the dramatic sky (

This painting didn't quite turn out as envisaged, I think some bits have worked out better than others for example the sky and the sea, I'm not so sure about the foreground sand and stream leading in though and I had a bit of a disaster trying to paint the stream see slide 8 it just wasn't working so I wiped it off! I've added some progression photographs as usual and the original reference photo which was my inspiration. #seascape #sunrise #appleysunrise #coastalpainting #c

I always start the year feeling really enthusiastic and optimistic and look forward to new beginnings hence this big, wide painting. Although I haven't finished it yet I have got further with it than I ever thought I would this month as I've found this size canvas (100cm x 50cm) a little overwhelming at times and it has been difficult to focus at the moment especially with homeschooling happening alongside. Other things I have had trouble with has been the lighting, where th

I considered it was about time that I created a painting from my home town of Shanklin where I live on the Isle of Wight. Most people know this view as Dunnose however my husband begs to differ and pointed out to me that the cliff is actually called 'Knock Cliff'. Well anyway I produced this painting and apparently broadly speaking the place-name element os in Dunnose can mean God (Celtic) the place-name element dun in Dunnose can mean fort (Scots Gaelic Irish) so I'm going

I haven't had as much painting time as anticipated this month, mainly due to the fact that my art room was commandeered by my daughter still persevering with homeschooling, and amongst other things also found myself learning how to cut hair, and sew a few face masks, thank goodness for the summer holidays! I did manage to squeeze in this little A4 painting though which I may turn into a bigger painting at some point in the future. I started off the painting with a pink ground

This is a project that is long overdue, I was asked by my in-laws to come up with a sign for the family beach hut at least a couple of years ago and it has been on my to do list ever since. I am pleased to announce though that I have now finally managed to complete it, yay!!! Better late than never! #beachhut #beachhutsign #sign #acrylicart #betterlatethannever #isleofwightartist #isleofwightart #summer Here are some links you may be interested in: Previous post from last mo

This painting is a bit of an experiment for me and is inspired by one of my favourite artists Jess Franks, her paintings just seem to sing with colour and vibrancy and I feel we could all do with a bit of colour and joy in our lives right now. I don't usually like to paint the same scene twice (I created a digital painting of this scene last May https://www.sharonould.com/post/sibden-spring) but these woods at the back of where I live are my sanctuary at the moment and now es

Well who'd have thought that this time last month we'd all be in lock down and finding ourselves in the situation we are now in, kind of suspended in time and there was me moaning about the weather last month, little did I know that the weather was going to be the least of our problems. It's made me realise that life and time is very precious and we should use them very wisely and make the most of every single moment, and not to take anything for granted as we just never know

My painting this month was inspired by one of my favourite places and a true hidden gem on the Isle of Wight, Steephill Cove in Ventnor. I found this painting quite a challenge and I'm still not sure if I am fully satisfied with the outcome now but I'm not going to fiddle any more! Scroll down to see behind the scenes progression photos. #steephillcove #ventnor #seascape #sea #coastalart #isleofwight #watermixableoils #isleofwightartist #isleofwightart #bestkeptsecrets #hidde

With Christmas looming just around the corner I thought my latest painting entitled 'Twixmas Twilight' was quite apt as it was painted from a photograph I took back in December 2016 in the period between Christmas and New Year. It's a painting that's been simmering in the back of my mind on and off for a while since then. The picture was taken at Hanover Point near Compton Bay, Isle of Wight whilst out for a much needed walk after Christmas. I cherish this particular time of