Sheep in the meadow

This painting has been sold

Oil on wood 8" x 5.5"

A simple little painting, I enjoy these simple shapes. Don't know what the sheep are doing there, can't seem to get away from them.
Sorry about the bit of glare on the photo upper left.

Canal lock

Oil on wood 6" x 7"

It's unbelievable how much time some of these "small" paintings can take up. I did this one some weeks ago, was not satisfied with it and have just spent another couple of hours on it. I am always amused when I remember what Jack Vettriano said - "For the first three hours a painting has you by the throat; for the next three you have it by the throat". Ironically in my case the extra work usually does not mean fiddling with small details. In this case I was simplifying the shapes more and eliminating some structures and detail which were getting in the way of a good design. I can usually get a good feel for how it's going by turning it upside down.

Grazing

This painting has been sold


Oil on wood panel 9" x 18"

Ok, the sheep seem to have separated again. I think I know what happened. In the previous painting the farmer had dumped piles or clumps of feed down in the field so many sheep gathered round one clump. Here, they are just relying on the grass so it is "each to his own". There was gentle, intermittent sunshine that day such as we often get up here in Spring and Summer. Gives me a feeling of peace this painting.

Padfield sheep

This painting has been sold


Oil on wood panel 9" x 17"

Sheep kind of "group together" - you don't see them dotted about much individually - unless it's that these are northern sheep and like a good chin wag. And it was surprising the number of 'triangles' they made, which was particularly helpful to me. It's funny how the colours of your own landscape really do affect the colours you mix on your palette. Click on the image for a bigger view.

An April day on Woodhead Road II

This painting has been sold



Oil on hardboard 10" x 17"

I'm attracted to this sweeping view across the line of activity as it were. The sky, the grass, seeming endless but that horizontal slice where the hills and trees create form and shape is a bit like reading a book. I have used the same palette here but concentrated on mixing warmer colours. You can get so much out of one scene.

An April day on Woodhead Road

This painting has been sold



Oil on hardboard 10" x 17"

I last painted Woodhead Road in the fog so it was nice to get back there on a fine April day full of the promise of spring. This is a bigger painting than usual. If you click it you will see it bigger size, in more detail.

Workshop

Oil on wood panel 7.5" x 8" Please email me if you are interested in this painting

Down by the canal again, still some small workshops and sheds. They look great with the sun casting strong shadows.

Industry

This painting has been sold



Oil on wood panel 7.5" x 8"

New building at the back, old building at the front. Industry doesn't have to be big and brash. I liked the way the sun hit that small shack wall. Just a peaceful, sleepy scene in Stalybridge.