Experimenting

Time to experiment a little more. I have just been to Ann Blockley's exhibition in the Cotswolds and came home fired with enthusiasm. I also came across a technique whereby you crumple up a piece of greaseproof paper, then add paint to the ridges of the creases and then press it onto a sheet of dry paper to produce interesting shapes for undergrowth etc.9 I have lent out the book, but will give you more details when it is returned to me) I thought it was worth a go, but do not be fooled by what looks simple when the experts do it!!!

I had a go at using a variety of semi abstract ideas to paint a woodland scene, including the crumpled paper (in the foreground) and creating twiggy bits by blowing through a straw.

I did not know when to admit defeat, and so wasted paint and effort, when I could have given up and started something else. I will not, however be defeated in the long term, as it is really interesting to try these odd processes to create interesting and textured paintings. But it is a case of accepting that lots of time and effort will need to be spent on refining them to produce anything like the result I was hoping to achieve.