Alternative view of Castletown Mill

This Acrylic painting was done from a quick pastel sketch of the Mill at Castletown on a beautiful bright January day. Loving the flexibility of Interactive Acrylic paints (here used sketchily and sparingly as watercolour washes). Interactives make an excellent substitute for oils for the plein air painter.

Castletown Mill - Acrylic on Canvas board - 14 x 16 inches

Home from the Hill

Home from the Hill - Acrylic on canvas - 20 x 28 inches

This hunting scene was painted using wonderful Interactive acrylics. They are most like oil paints in their handling with the advantage of drying quickly. Another advantage is that there is very little colour shift compared to some other acrylic brands.

Detail

Portrait of my late aunt Ursula

This is a portrait of my late aunt Ursula. The reference photo is nearly 40 years old but always reminded me of Franz Hals paintings. This is how I remember her.

Aunt Ursula - Acrylic on canvas - 14 X 18 inches

Detail

Abbeyleix House

Small acrylic sketch painted at yesterdays Lions Club open day at Abbeyleix Estate. I ran out of time to finish it.

Abbeyleix House - Acrylic on canvas board - 10 x 12 inches

Glenbarrow Plein Air

Our 3 day Plein Air painting event at Glenbarrow has come to an end. Thanks to artist Jock Nichol for leading our motley crew and also to Laois Arts Officer, Muireann Ni Chonaill for organizing such a successful event. It was nice to catch up with friends and also to make some new friends. I cant wait for the next Plein air event.

Despite the mixed weather I managed to complete a painting a day. Here are my three offerings (apologies for the glare of wet paint in day 3 photo):

Day 1: Waterfall - Oil on canvas - 40cm X 50Cm

Day 2: Waterfall - Acrylic on canvas board - 12 X 16 inches

Day 3: Forest view - Oil on canvas - 40cm X 50cm

Latest commission

This oil on canvas commission was nearly abandoned during the plein air stage (I have an acrylic version on standby just in case). I wasn't happy with the meadow towards the front and at a loss how to resolve it. Still, I stuck at it and eventually got something of the look that I wanted. Lots of fine detail work in the studio made me realize how much of a shake I have in my hand (must cut back on the coffee).
I am at a loss as to what to call this painting, maybe something cliched like, 'Moyanna Meadow' though perhaps the client, Melissa Duncan, might have something to say about that.

Moyanna Meadow - Oil on canvas - 50cm X 70 cm

Detail

Plein Air 2016 at Emo Court

I have just spent three days painting en Plein air at Emo Court which was organised by Laois Arts Office. Once again, Artist Jock Nichol lead the group of twelve artists in drawing and painting the landscape of Emo Court. Here are my efforts. Despite mixed weather I am pleased with all the paintings.

A huge thanks to Laois Arts Officer Muireann O' Connell and all the staff at the Arts Office, Jock Nichol for his patience and good humour and all the participants for a most enjoyable few days.

Day 2- Emo Court - Oil on canvas - 20 X 28 inches

Day 3 - Autumn - Acrylic on canvas board - 12 X 14 inches

Day 1- Emo Court - Oil on canvas - 22 X 26 inches

Plein air sketches from St. Helens Bay area, Rosslare, Wexford

This group of sketches were painted while on holiday in the St. Helens Bay area of Rosslare.
The paintings were mostly painted during the early morning using Golden Open Acrylics on 10 inch  X 12 inch canvas panel. The exception is the watercolour of the kids searching the shore for seashells at Greenore Point. I sold a couple of the sketches while painting so happy days (thanks Eileen).

Carne Pier- Early morning rain out to sea

Greenore Point - Watercolour

On the rocks St. Helens Bay

Tides in, St. Helens Bay

St. Helens Bay towards Greenore Point - SOLD

Cove looking towards Tuskar Lighthouse - St. Helens Bay - SOLD

St. Helens Pier

Best Buddies - Oil on canvas commission

Here is an oil on canvas commissioned piece of James and Buddy negotiating a tricky jump. Painted from a reference photograph.

Best Buddies - Oil on canvas - 16 X 20 inches

Elsie - Aubrac Cow

I'm risking being typecast as an animal painter, oh well, one more portrait might not do too much harm.

Elsie - Acrylic on canvas - 30cm X 40cm

WOT YA LOOKIN AT? - Oil commission

This is an oil on canvas commission of two Aubrac cattle painted as a birthday gift. It might not look it from the photo a lot of work has gone in to the texture of hair on these two.

Wot ya lookin at? - Oil on canvas - 16 X 20 inches

Detail

Centrepiece of School Mural

This is the centrepiece of a School Mural. My idea is -  through education children can achieve all that they wish for in this world.

Original concept watercolour sketch

The finished centrepiece. A small bit of tidying up still to do. (More to follow).

 Centrepiece on 3.5 metre wall

Finished Wall