New work . . . .

I have just got back from a trip to Holland where I gave a workshop. I'd like to say a big thank you to all those who attended. It was such a lovely friendly atmosphere and hopefully you all learned a lot to help you move on in your journey. You created some amazing work and made me very proud as a teacher. I'd like to also say a huge thank you to my friend Joanna who put so much work in to helping me and the students, couldn't have done it without you.



After the workshop I spent a further two weeks with Joanna visiting various places in her country and of course lots of painting. This was one I completed while I was with her. There is nothing more inspiring than painting with a friend, you bounce ideas around and develop your each others creativity.

This one was based on a photo I took on a recent trip to The Gambia. As yet it's still untitled, but that will come in time.

Moving forward, trying something new . . .

Every artist needs to move forward, otherwise we are in danger of painting the same old. The way forward to this is to play and try out new things, whether it be a new subject, a different medium or new colours.
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With every goal I reach in a painting, i'm thrilled, with each piece of work afterwards becoming more comfortable to paint, then soon the need to reach the next goal steps in. I've come to the stage where I'm wanting to move on and paint something different, right now putting in a little more of a figure than just the face. Along with pushing for a difference in the subject comes the desire to use different colours as well. I was fortunate to be given a wonderful gift by a friend, of some Daniel Smith paints, must say I love them. I haven't use these too much as yet so am picking up ones gradually and trying them. I also bought Janet's Violet Rose by American Journey, this is a gorgeous colour, especially for portrait work.
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When you are introducing new colour to your painting, work in smaller areas of your subject, don't be tempted to use it everywhere. Remember to stop and look from a distance, evaluate before deciding if you need to use it elsewhere to balance your work. I often let my paintings sit for some time before moving on, i've overworked to many in the past rushing in. Very often you will find when you go back to it that it doesn't need anything else. Think about working a another in the meantime, to stop you being tempted to rush in.
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This is what i'm working on at the moment and the slight change of colours. When you do this, take it slow, but remembering it's important to enjoy and play. I'm often asked how you develop your own style, well this the way, by experimenting and playing.

When you are trying new colours and mixes, be sure to try them out on a scrap piece first and write down what you have used for later reference.

Painting information taken form Ken Bromley Art Supplies and Cheap Joes. 

 With thanks to Gunnar Salvarsson for the use of his photo as ref. 

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2016 Workshops

16th & 17th April 2016 - Portraits in Watercolour - Franeker

NETHERLANDS   (2 Day workshop)
Contact me

19th June to 25th June 2016 - Portraits in Watercolour

Bandouille, FRANCE

Painting holiday

www.francepaintingholiday.com

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Essex in Mayfair 2015

Thrilled to have all 3 paintings selected by Essex Art Club for their Mayfair Exhibition. PV to be opened by Ken Howard OBE.

Almost . . . In Despair . . .

In Despair . . . 

Have really got to like this square format for paintings, so tried it out recently on a couple of portraits in watercolour. This is named In Despair and is based on a ref with many thanks to Steve Evans. I do find this format gives even more focus into what's really important in the painting. The eyes . . . . The soul . . . . Your feelings . . .  

Almost . . . 

This one was painting just prior to "In Despair" and another ref thanks to Steve Evans.

Both paintings measure approx 20 x 20 cm and 34 x 34 cm Including Mount (Matt). Originals are without any words or large signatures, these are merely for display purposes. Both are available to purchase by contacting me at info@stephiebutler.com

Watercolour & Ink Tiger . . . " Panthera "

I've often used ink on watercolour paintings in the past , although I also love it just as it is, especially when used for architecture. Not having used it for some time I got started on it again recently after seeing a wonderful pen and wash "Helping Hands" by a member of Painting Friends forum, Sharon Williams. which you can see by following the links in the text.

What grabbed me most about Sharon's painting was how it wasn't the typical "Ink & Wash" that is too often a watercolour painting outlined neatly with an Ink pen. While there is nothing wrong with that, I just loved the way the wash overran the lines into other areas and how that gave Sharon's work that painterly look that really appeals to me.

 This is my attempt at a different take on "pen & wash"
 "Panthera"

So out came the ink ... and a straw....
                                      The initial attempts resulted in the painting "I belong to Africa" which you can see in an older post by clicking on the linked title. Although I loved that painitng and thoroughly enjoyed painting it, I still wanted a more randomness to the ink work. This is where those odd workshops and lessons come into use, the ones you don't always immediately use afterwards, but the parts that appealed and inspired seem to sit in the back of your mind just waiting.

 I had taken a short watercolour and Ink course at the local adult education center a few years back, a very enjoyable course run by a talented teacher, but never really used much of what I had learnt. The one thing I enjoyed the most was the use of other implements for the ink work, giving up a bit of control may be scary sometimes but it can have some wonderful effects and becomes part of what goes towards making a painting "yours".
 

  *** The Original painting will be on Exhibition and for sale at the  ***

  * Redbridge Arts Association Summer Exhibition  *

  *  at the Dovecote Gallery  *

* Valentines Mansion, Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex.  IG1 4XA  *

* from 2nd Jul-30th Jul  *

  ***   

Selected for Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2013

Looking to the Future

This is the 2nd painting that I had selected by the Society of Women Artists for their 52nd Annual Exhibition 2013 at the Mall Galleries.

I grabbed a quick photo before it went off to the framers so not a brilliant shot.
 

I would also like to say a very big thank you to Karl Lindsay for allowing me to use photo as ref for this painting. Please visit his website and see his amazing photography at his website. www.karllindsayphotography.com and also on his Fb page HERE

Two paintings Selected ...... Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2013

Two paintings Selected......

I am absolutely thrilled to have had two of my paintings selected for the

 Society of Women Artists 

152nd Annual Exhibition 2013 at the Mall Galleries, London. 

 This is the 3rd year in a row I have had work selected by the SWA and it still can't believe it's happening to me. If ever you are in doubt about entering your work anywhere, just follow your dream, it does come true.

One of the two paintings that were selected for Exhibition.

Special thanks to Steve Evans for the use of his photo as ref for this painting. 

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Society of Women Artists 

Founded in 1855, the society has had a unique history dedicated to promoting art by women. The Annual Exhibition at the prestigious Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1, showcases a stunning and eclectic mix of artwork in all media. The Society encourages variety and versatility and features some of the finest contemporary women artists from all over the world, thus sustaining a reputation for excellence.

152nd ANNUAL EXHIBITION
2013

MALL GALLERIES

The Mall, London SW1

27^th June Thursday – Saturday 6^th July
  Daily 10 am – 5pm
(3pm close) on last day

HRH Princess Michael of Kent is the SWA Patron, and will open the exhibition at the private view to be held on Wednesday 26th June. www.society-women-artists.org.uk

Studying Form.....

This is one I originally painted a couple of years ago.  It went into exhibition at The Dovecote with Ilford Art Society where it Sold. On the original I painted more of the photo, where the gentleman was reading the newspaper, hence it finally ended with the title of Sunday Morning.

Drawing and painting portraits seem to be more enjoyable when they have some character to them and this gentleman certainly has plenty of that in his face. Loved drawing out this one again and taking more time on it on this occasion.

I couldn't come up with a title for this, which isn't unusual for me, it's something I struggle with often. But both my partner and a friend came up with the same one, Studying Form". The painting had suggested the subject was reading the paper without the need for me to paint it in this time. This makes you stop and think how much you need to put in, do you need to paint everything or is it better to leave some of the story for the viewer to fill in.


 It's not until I redo a painting, which I don't do often, but perhaps should, that I see how i've much, if any i've moved forward. This is one where I see that step forward and am pleased with my progress.

Special thanks to Redfloor on Stock.xchng for the use of this wonderful photo.