I think I've discovered a new condition. It's called "Morphitis". It's the process by which a portrait changes from one person into another. For example, Leonardo here started off looking like Robert Redford, then Andrew enquired if it was Bill Clinton (Honestly, with such reassurance in my abilities, it's a wonder I continue). Undeterred I ploughed on and, finally, achieved a passable likeness. I realised long ago, it's better to stop some pictures early, before my boredom starts to show in the work, and I was beginning to be heartily sick of this one. It's often better to start again. The watercolour pencils are a first for me. I've used regular pencils - way back in the dark ages. I prefer bolder colours and pencils tend to be a bit insipid. I've just invested in a Derwent "Inktense" set, so we'll see how I get on with those.
I've finally started painting my Royal Academy entry. It looks pretty rubbish so far but they always do at this stage.
My creative muse has been somewhat tested this week with school's being closed due to snow - a rather pathetic 4 inches at most yesterday - but enough to cause chaos to traffic. We live on a steep hill which develops into an ice rink with the slightest snow. Being a side road it remains un-gritted until one of us goes out with a shovel. I admit to ultimate wimpishness on Monday when I watched 2 cars slide down the hill- I didn't fancy making mine the third, so all children were kept off despite no closures at the time. Only to be joined by Andrew on Tuesday. We sallied forth and, even though I had to take my eldest to school myself - we'd missed the bus. By Thursday all the schools had given up and closed.
Still the snow has provided plenty of camera Fodder, providing some very pleasing results. see below.
And lots of opportunities to play...
