January 2012
My daughter Emma decided it was time she painted another landscape with dad :) so she did a sepia, nice job Emz :) x
Geoff joined me again this morning to paint another 'Moor' scene, mine looked similar to last weeks but Geoff's turned into a wonderful 'Castle Ruin' landscape. We both painted 'Enchanted Fall' earlier..2 in one day :)
Me old mate Geoff came around this morning and we painted together, a portrait version of the 'sepia' woodland scene I've been doing. Geoff hadn't painted for a few months, but what a cracking job he made of his painting.
A young man, just 19 years old came to 'paintalong' with me today, like me his is a huge Bob fan. Although never attempting a painting before, Jax, had a light touch and for a first timer, was superb with the pallet knife techniques. It was obvious he'd watched a lot of Bobs shows. Good job Jax :)
December 2011
An old friend from my 'office' days came for a first oil paintalong today, Tim wasn't bothered about completing a painting
but to learn the wow techniques, but he did a pretty good job of finishing this one :)
November 2011
Carol came to 'paintalong' with me today. Carol has dabbled in acrylics and coloured pencils, but never tried oils. Originally was going for an autumn scene, but decided on a sepia snow scene. Picked up pallete knife technique straight away. Carol lives between here and Spain and is finding our weather rather cold at the moment.
JULY 2011
Elise returned for a 'paintalong' and decided to do one of Bobs show paintings..Happy Accident from JOP 11
JUNE 2011
My friend and 'Sink' Colleague Tere, who painted along with me a few weeks ago, has drawn me a 'Bob' scene but using pastel chalks. Tere could paint and draw before she tried oils with me, but just look how her version of this oil original turned out in pastels...Wow indeed..Thanks Tere, beautiful!
Elise came for a second 'paintalong' today, requesting Bobs 'Northern Lights'...so we did :) Elise picked up the knife loading extremely well and her first time mountains were splendid..glad she likes the technique :)
Well I had a phone call in the week asking If I could show a friend of one of my former 'paint alongs'..the wow technique. So Molly came with her friend Georgia to paint as a birthday present for Georgia :) The girls decided to paint a version of my 'End of Loch' so we got cracking under the watchful eye of Mol's gran Barbara (who has also painted with me) and here are the finished works. :) Well done girls and it was a pleasure 'painting along' with you :)
May 2011
I took my paints and easel to Bodenham today, to celebrate its 13th Birthday. After my demo, James, a friend and chef at Bod, asked if
he could paint with me after hours. I'd promised James a paint along back in Feb for his birthday. So in the small day room of the
visitor centre, I showed James how to paint a tree or two and a lake and ...well judge for yourself what a great job he did :)
April 2011
Well what a difference a couple of weeks makes...and even with an injured hand, Tere returned today to finish her first ever seascape.
It turned out better than originally expected and inspired Tere to do another one...her seagulls were just terrific in her sunset sky too!
When it comes to Seascapes I have to admit I have a mental block..ok until it comes to creating a Big Wave:) Still Tere came around to have a go today and it began great with super sunset sky but the wave..we weren't feeling...so its on hold until next week and the voyage will continue..(mine sank I changed competely:) )
Today's paint along guest was Elise, who found my details on the Mountain Ash website (where my wife works). It was the first time she had tried oil painting since school, where she was disapointed with her exam results :( Not today though as Elise did a fine first painting of her 'Autumn Memories' which she wanted to do as a reminder of her honeymoon in Scotland last year.
I think she may be returning..but maybe not to paint but to 'craft' with Jackie as she has also recently taken up stamping. :)
March 2011
I have no idea why my lovely 'sink' buddy Tere, wanted to 'paint along' with me today..she brought her artwork to
show me and WOW..can she paint and draw. Terri could teach me a thing or two. Drawing and watercolours in
both still life, wildlife and figures have all been created with fantastic results. However, as Tere explained, she had
not tried oils and fancied comparing the techniques. Well add another string to your 'artistic' bow Tere..Fantastic :)
Above. Terri's first Oil, but below, check out her other fantastic artwork in Watercolour and charcoal, her cakes are fab too! :)
My friend Sue came back for second painting, choosing one of Bobs designs. As I explained, mountains, especially
the breaking of the snow is something that gets better with practice, although Sues first go at moutains were excellent
and her trees improved tremendously...Great job Sue..we even got peapod appearing in the garden to watch us :)
Geoff liked the idea of painting the Northern Lights so we did that today, here's Geoffs finished painting. :)..But what wowed me is Geoffs solo oval waterfall he bought to show me...'that's my boy'..fantastic Geoff.
February 2011
To obtain my certification in the Alexander Painting technique, one of my 'trial' students was my 11 year old neice Tasha. Tash also did a second painting with me and was going to paint herself at home...well today, Tash came to paint with me again and what was to be a Tropical beach became 'Northern Lights'. Here is Tash today now, 13 and still a great artist.
Geoff and I attempted Bobs 'Quiet Inlet' today from JOP series 3..very much more basic than his later ones and you also see Bob used Bill Alexanders materials before he broke away to form his own brand of paints and brushes. Anyway, here is Geoff and his finished painting....you can feel the wind blowing the surf to the shore in this one.
Anyone reading this page will have seen the progress of my friend Geoff, who after painting along with me for several
weeks was fortunate enough to have all his own painting gear bought for him as a Christmas present from his partner.
A few weeks after Christmas I popped into Geoffs to see his first solo efforts. He had painted a fantastic woodland scene,
but told me it was his second attempt, his first being discarded and thrown in his garage rubbish. OH NO!...surely it
wasn't that bad...and NO...it wasn't ...it just hadn't been completed. However, no matter how I tried to convince Geoff
it was fine and he should complete it, he wouldn't give the idea the time of day. So, as I did with my mate Stan in the
past, I said I'd take it and finish it myself. Well, here is the start and end of Geoffs first solo project and I hope he likes
the end result now and can see it was definitely worth saving. :)
January 2011
I've always told my friends that this wow technique is easy and 'finally' a dear friend and ex colleague from my 'office'
days took me up on the challenge and today painted this fantastic scene of 'Tarn Hows' a place in the Lake District.
So here is Sue and her impression of Tarn Hows and as I've said....you can do it! :)
A friend of my Aunty Jeans mentioned she was a Bob Ross fan. When my aunty explained I taught the WOW method
she asked if I would arrange a 'paint along'. I did and today I painted with Anita. Apart from a 'fir tree' technical prob,
I think you'll agree Anita's first attempt at oils is wonderful. And thanks for dinner aunty Jean :) x
Geoff came by today and decided to add a cabin to his painting and 'tweek' his big tree.
Geoff has painted by himselfat home since getting his 'painting' material Christmas presents, I'm looking forward to seeing
what he's created. :)
December 2010
Geoff painted a great little compostition today we called 'Anglers Paradise'..you can imagine the fisherman on the
rock casting his line and waiting for that salmon...as Geoff is an angler himself, this is sure to be a fave.:)
Today Geoff came and painted a completely original made up composition we called Winter Wonderland..along with
painting we shared a mince pie or two :)
November 28th 2010
Painting has no 'generation' gap....a double first! :)
Well today was a double first for me...my 'paint along' gals were Grandma and Grandaughter and Grandaughter Molly, is nine years old for 3 more days, making her the youngest student I have shown the 'wow' technique. Also, Grandpa John
was a student of mine not long after celebrating his 80th birthday, so that's my eldest and youngest record ages. :)
Grandma Barbara (who doesn't look anywhere near her age) is somewhere in between! :) My lips are sealed :)
Todays class was a birthday present for Molly who wanted to try painting herself after watching her Grandpa...(whom I
hope is still hard at work with his brushes), so it will be nice if all three paint together in the future. :)
The girls did fantastic jobs for a first time and I hope enjoyed the experience...now it will be a debate as to who did
the best job :)....sorry Barbara and John...Molly is the winner...for such a young age, her painting wins hands down :)
Happy birthday for the 1st Molly and well done and it was a pleasure to meet such a lovely young lady.
(scroll to the bottom of the page to see Grandads seascape...painted in just two hours though...the girls were here 4 so had longer to finish)
Double Figures for Geoff:)
Geoff completed his tenth painting today and its a Christmas feel with the Blue Spruce in the foreground..hence the
title..; Blue Spruce Barn...nice job again. Once Geoff is up and running at his own house I know he'll just pass me
in composition and painting skills in no time..:)
Special Visitors November 18th
Well from looking for a 'day out' to paint, I was honoured that two lovely ladies, Jo and Marie
decided to come for a 'paint along' workshop with me, a journey of over two hours by rail.
The girls had tried the 'wow' technique once before and also watercolour class but decided to have
another go at oils. Also, as my wife takes 'papercraft' workshops, they were able to fit in a
card workshop too.
Autumn colours was the order of the day and I hope Jo and Marie are happy with their results
and the journey and all the hassle involved was worth the effort.
I think they've done a great job...don't know how their card will turn out..they are still crafting
with her indoors as I update my webpage..:)
Marie and Jo with their 'Autumn Day Out'..nice work girls :)
Jo sent the following message after they returned home:)
You will be pleased to know both paintings made it back safe and sound.. you should patent your idea!!! We both had a great time.. it was definitely worth the trip!!! And Marie and I have even discussed a return visit!
I am also determined to try another painting at home.
Geoff turned up today with a bottle of whiskey, bless him, and said it was a belated bday presi..nice :)
Todays painting was based on Bobs 'Majestic Mountain'...here is Geoffs completed painting.
Well today was my birthday..and what better way to spend it than with a mate watching Bob
and painting. So Geoff today wanted to attempt Bobs 'A Trace of Spring'..and here is the result.
Think you'll agree, Geoff is doing fantastic and I know fellow artist Tom from Yorkshire agrees!
October 2010.
Well last night Geoff told me we were doing a cabin painting...aghhhh. :)
Here are Geoffs Mountain Cabin in the Snow with and without evergreens.
Today Geoff painted a version of Bobs 'Mountain River' (JOP series 14)...
think he was pleased with result, I reckon its his best so far..Well done Geoff :)
Geoff returned today, feeling better created a wonderful 'pretty' Stoney path Bluebell Walk.
Geoff been under the weather past couple of weeks but he came hoping
to paint a seascape based on a Bob example..alas my teaching was way off and just
couldn't get our crashing waves to work., see how it began and then finished as lake.
Sorry Geoff :( Good job though..and the waterfall touch was all yours mate :)
September 2010 Geoff paints his first oils :)
After his third workshop with me today, I realised why Geoff is so good...he has a secret identity :)
I thought he had a slight look about another famous painter we both admire :)
Geoff wanted to do a version of a Bob Ross painting 'Fishermans Trail' making the canvass look like
it was wood. Nice job again from my returning student. :)
Geoff had watched Bob's tv show and really wanted to 'have a go' for himself. He had never painted in
oils before but you'd never know from his first two paintings at our workshop together.
Gail friend from office days..first Oil painting...:)
Well Carole began the week and Gail ended with another superb first attempt in oils. Gail has been
taking watercolour classes too, but was impressed with reflections in this technique. Great job!
July 2010..My sister in law..WOW!
My sister in law, Carole, decided she would like to paint a typical English landscape, so she popped over and WOW.
this is her first attempt at an oil painting...what a great job. Hope it's good enough for my brothers 'fine art' taste
to hang on their wall..:) Great job Sis x
Happy Birthday John :) (March 2010)
I dropped by John's home to wish him happy birthday and he asked to show him some techniques as he hadn't managed to paint since our lesson last year. He was happy to watch me paint but I did get him to paint a tree or two on this autumn scene he wanted. Then he asked for a large tree and because he liked the far mountain so much he asked to paint a larger mountain. John is NOW going to paint on his own and practise these techniques. The canvas we used were in fact pieces of plywood John had prepared...Did the job! :)
Students.. 'old' and 'new'.:)
I had the chance to meet up with an old friend recently, in fact John had been my first boss when I had a Saturday job in his hardware store...before I left school. An amazing 82 years young..John spends his retirement working in his woodwork shed making lovely toys and stools and all sorts of things including Bird tables and boxes. He told me he'd like to have a go at painting and so we did a deal. I'd show him the 'wet on wet' technique and he'd make me one of his wonderful bird boxes.
When John turned up at 1.30pm and told me he had to be gone by 4pm..I was a little worried we wouldn't have time. First timers usuall spend 5 hours to complete their first painting. However, we got straight down to it...I'd actually prepared and John wanted to do a seascape for his lovely wife, Barbara. We did a simple 'basic' seascape but John was pleased with his first attempt and in fact went out a few days later and bought his own paints and brushes...he really must have liked the experience...Another smile brought to someones face and new hobby introduced to someone thanks again to Bill's original imagination and dream. Smashing! :)
Johns first painting 'Storm's acoming' and my Birdbox he made just for me! :)
Seebra...first in Oils :)
Had the pleasure to show an old friend of my mate Stan, the wow technique today. Seebra has tried watercolours but fancied trying Oils. This is her first attempt...not bad for a first effort I think!! :) Must have enjoyed the experience, Seebra wants to try a seascape next..:)