Hellebores

These hellebores are the only flowers out in my garden, though the daffodils are showing promise!  I learnt something about hellebores as flowers, having picked them the day before I intended painting them..   When I came to paint them they had all turned their heads down, so I had to gather a few more.  I guess they are shy flowers!

Hellebores. oil on paper

I am off on a mixed media art course for a few days at the lovely Dedham Hall, so I will not be able to blog.  I will hopefully be able to show you what I accomplish. 

Reflections

Three fat and juicy nectarines reflected in a lovely crystal jug.  I have been painting on Arches oil paper for a while now and I really like it as a surface. I have tried going back to mdf board and at the moment I prefer the paper.  I have just taken a few painted on oil paper for framing so I will see the result.

Reflections oil on paper

I wish could share the wonderful scent of these narcissi with you

These lovely and beautifully perfumed narcissi are sadly not from my garden but from a local florist, and they were very difficult to resist.  I quickly felt a painting coming on, the only decision being which vase I should use.  In the end they looked best in a jam jar!!

Narcissi  oil on paper

The promise of Spring

I thought these hyacinths were beautiful even before they flower.  I love the way the roots curl round the stones, and the reds of the bulbs.  They are going to be blue my favourite colour hyacinth, and I love the smell!!!

Spring hyacinths  oil on paper

Daffodil Buds

Hopefully the daffodils will get a chance to poke their heads above the water soon and find some sunshine! In the meantime I have made do with a bunch from the local supermarket! 

Daffodil buds  oil on paper

Juicy Mandarins

These gorgeous mandarin oranges are such a wonderful colour.  I wanted to make them look full and ready to pluck from the plate and eat.  Actually they were a bit disappointing!!

Juicy mandarins  oil on paper

Three of my favourite things

I love these glass bottles, and they make a good collection to paint!

three glass bottles  oil on board

Jam jar

Sometimes an old jam jar comes in very handy to make a lovely vase for these white anemones.  I am trying out painting on oil paper,  and I rather enjoyed the slightly textured surface.  I think I will carry on trying it out!

An old jam jar.  Oil paper. 

Glass jar

I thought I would paint something simple today, it turned out to be more difficult than I thought!!

Glass jar. Oil on board. 

Blue Jug

Blue jug and a bunch of red tulips plus sunshine streaming in the window, they just looked brilliant on the windowsill. Cue a painting!! 

Blue jug and red tulips. Oil on board. 

Two roses

Two lovely red roses.

Two red roses  oil on board