It hit me…

… I don’t know what it was, but it hit me hard

(prizes for anyone who can tell me where the quote is from!)

So what hit me? Inspiration… that’s what?!

I have been planning to put brush to canvas for a while now and haven’t really had the inspiration, time or willing to do it. Plus I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to paint so I busily spent the summer tying to capture scenes that I may want to paint (as well as documenting holidays etc!).

My medium of choice is Acrylic and as I like to paint fast and loose I like to paint subjects that aren’t so defined. Those who have seen what I have painted previously know I like to paint landscapes, skies and moving water. It’ll be no surprise then that this ia closely associated with my current subject.

I am proud of what I paint and even though I wasn’t accepted for this years Summer Exhibition I am determined to paint a canvas I am 100% happy with and submit it next year.

I am not sure whether it will be this particular canvas but I will see how it progresses.

There is a sketch layer and two layers of paint on the canvas already, which isn;t bad as I have spent all of 2 hours painting so far… I like the way this canvas is progressing and need to ensure I do not re paint the bits I like (which is a particularly nasty habit of mine), plus I need to work out the blacks in the canvas as (even though they play a part), they run the danger of over shadowing the scene.

The scene? Well it’s a sunrise that was encountered on the drive home… After all the planned shots with my camera it turned out a snap from my iPhone gave me the inspiration I was looking for. I am determine to spend time on the canvas as much as I can, even if it’s only for a couple minutes each evening… Work is bloody manic at present therefore painting is a great way to switch off – I just hope my work energy doesn’t ruin this canvas.

I plan to document my progress here and I’ll be interested to hear what you think.

Stage one (and a half!) – sketch and painting in dark regions of the subject: