Two new acrylics of Auckland

I've obtained some large framed boxed wood to work against, and tried acrylics for the first time in doing this 'woodcutty' style. Quite like the speed it is possible to work in, and the textures of fast drying acrylic. Once again, I'm doing various views of Auckland city, partly because I've done a couple for the police, and I'm going to try and sell these two maybe at the Easter show coming up. I've included a closeup of this one, underneath, to show the textures that happen. Great aye?

and here's the other one, which is on a square wood base, and a bit more like the telephone book cover than previous. Fun fun fun.

Nearly finished - as good as. . .

Only fiddly things left, so I'm calling this 'Breakfast at the Bach' done.

Almost there on Police and Bach paintings. . .

Okay, remember, this is an acrylic, so it dries AS YOU PAINT! I'm enjoying painting it, but the close up appearance is so much looser and 'scruffier' than an oil. Ah well. Not far off finishing it now. Just got to take out all the light from the white areas apart from the window.
. . . and here's the police oil painting, which is somewhat different. AND the racecourse is stridently apparent in bottom right corner - just as well it is going to someone who loves racehorses and hopefully can forgive the donkey-like appearance of these ones.

The Latest Police Commission

Work has started on this oil painting of Auckland City, for someone leaving there for Wellington. Nice fish eye sort of look, with the volcanoes popping up all over the place, and bottom right, the Ellerslie Racecourse because he is a great racehorse fan. Quite enjoying this one, and might do one or two more just to sell on TradeMe.

Breakfast at the Beach - NEW

Just on this acrylic lark, I've started another big one on framed board, about 1m x 700 in size. I get to the stage (like now) where I think I should stop before I ruin it. This is called 'Breakfast at the Bach'.
and I finished the three little panels of the Owl and the Pussycat. Glad I put the words on now.

Finished three today. . .

This is 'Ngaroto Sunrise' which I think I've finished. It's an oil and quite small compared to the others.
AND here is the lady in 'La Patisserie' ready to serve you at last. The oils in this are laid on thick and juicy, similarly to the icing and cream on the cakes. I hope she likes it! (I'm going to show the painting to her before hanging it at Ngaroto.)

. . . and finally, this rather hastily rendered pic in acrylic of 'Jemma turns Nineteen'. I wavered a great deal doing this. Because it had to be done quickly, I'm a little taken aback by the relative roughness compared to the oils. For a moment today, I was so miserable about it, I almost gave up. Not sure even now it is what I want. Ah well. . . time will tell.

Oh my!! Acrylics are FAST. . .

Well that was fun! I've bought a couple of prepared boards with sides, and bought some acrylics to try them out, and spent the afternoon rushing to get the paint on before it dries. I'm think I'm on to something here. Something looser and wilder and maybe more ME!! It is not finished yet but this will be 'Jemma turns 19'. I think I like acrylics. . .

La Patisserie and Ngaroto Sunrise

Neither of these are finished yet - I just find it useful to see them at various stages and wonder if they looked better THEN. The top one is a misty autumn sunrise at Ngaroto, walking along the road toward the Nursery. Haven't got the brilliance of the light through the trees yet. This isn't a big painting, but I quite like the dramatic lighting.
. . . and the kind lady at La Patisserie in Te Awamutu is still waiting for your order. The longer she waits, the better and more mouth watering the selection to choose from. They're still not completely 'iced' or 'baked' yet.

Finished: Ngaroto Garden 1 and Aotearoa 1

Ah well, whether Peter likes it or not, this is the Ngaroto tree and garden pic, with lots of texture and shape (I think), and distant rolling hills. HOPEFULLY he'll let me put it up in his cafe. Watch this space.(Of course, don't feel any pressure, Peter!)
. . . and the one below is the final of two that I did for the Easter Show. This one is more detailed and dynamic. Aotearoa (for those Americans who read this) is 'land of the long white cloud'.

Progress on Gardens, Waterfall and Patisserie

I started this one at the same time as the others, but have put enough background in it to have something to show. Her hair is not in yet, but this lovely French woman and her husband run the French cafe in Te Awamutu 'La Patisserie'. I am looking forward to doing lovely rich textural cakes and breads in her cabinet. Shame I can't have a coffee from the machine while I wait.
. . . and now the Ngaroto gardens tree has branches and twigs and a pathway. . .
. . . and I think I'm finished this one, with a soft glow of mist rising from the side of the waterfall. Unfortunately there's some lens flare on this so not as dramatic as the last pic of it.

Ngaroto gardens and Waitakere Waterfall

Ah, the illustrator is coming out in me, whether I like it or not. These aren't finished by any means, but here they both are so far. Top one is a waterfall in Waitakere, to go with the bush walk painting. Bottom one is a view through Ngaroto Nurseries gardens toward the countryside. Love working in palette knife on the textures of the shrubs and trees.