Demo for Norwich and Norfolk Art Circle

These are photos taken by my friend and mentor Gareth Hawker at the demo for NNAC yesterday. The turn out was good with around fifty attending. Ken agreed to sit for me once again. I always enjoy painting Ken and as I told the group, 'if you enjoy doing something, you are less likely to make a pig's ear of it...' I had fun and thanks to all who came along to watch and encourage me.

Hellebores

Spring has arrived at last for us here in the UK after a very long winter. I picked these Hellebores from the garden. By painting them they are there for ever but I felt guilty taking the scissors to them...

Oil sketch of Eileen 2

I painted this sketch during our second sitting with Eileen, from life in a session of approx. two hours.

Charcoal sketch of Arthur

This is a preliminary sketch of Arthur done from life over a couple of very pleasant hours we spent together this morning. I am about to start a large oil painting of him and the session allowed me the opportunity to explore his face a bit. At 93, this old soldier, 2nd World War POW, has many stories to tell. It is going to be such an honour to paint him.

Oil Sketch of Eileen

Eileen sat for us over two sessions. This is my first attempt which I photographed in stages. It was completed in a single session of just over two hours. I photographed my progress at varios stages and have included a photo of Eileen herself.

Life sketch of Hilary

This life sketch of Hilary is my effort from yesterday morning; it was painted from life in a session of approx two and a half hours. I really liked the way the red sheet bounced back into the shadows. When I set up a life pose I am more than happy to allow the face to go into the shadow. It stops everyone getting too caught up with producing a portrait which is best avoided in a figure sketch. I only suggested Hilary's face but the red reflected from the sheet was particularly powerful on her facial planes..

Pastel sketch of Patrick

Patrick is 94, a completely amazing man and one of life's special people! I worked this on a colourfix paper - soft umber, a good neutral tone/colour that works well as a background.

Oil sketch of Gwen

This is my latest effort from our weekly sessions at the scout hut. The model is also an artist so looked at our work with an informed eye. The study was completed in just over two hours.

Turn to the right

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/liz-balkwill/turn-to-the-right/134062 This is final study in a series of four pastels featuring this young woman emerging from a geometric shape.

Turn to the left

This is the third in a series of four studies of this young woman emerging from the geometric shape.

Oil sketch of Clive 2

This is a second study of Clive, painted from life in just over two hours. It did not go as smoothly as the first study, as I seemed to fight with the proportions at the start and chased them all the way to the finish. Once I decide on the size I want the head to be within a composition I try to keep to it but for some reason I kept going slightly bigger. It becomes a struggle if you have drawing issues right through the painting process. I got something of him by the end of the session but not without trouble and strife....