My daily or weekly feed about my activities, upcoming events, studio visits etc.
I shall be exhibiting Seascapes, Medway Valley paintings and framed drawings
Open August 23rd until September 5th 10am till 4.30pm except Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday. Private View Thursday 30th 6-8pm. Meet the Artist Saturday 1st September 12 noon till 4pm.
The Gallery is just beneath my studio so let me know if you would like to see where I am please you are welcome to visit.
I prepare my own canvases; the top left picture shows the stretcher bars and my first four assembled. I cut my 12oz cotton duck to size with a good fold over on each size, then I start with a staple in the mid bar on one side. I turn the whole through 180 deg. stretch the canvas and then staple in the middle of the opposite side, I then turn through 90 deg, stretch and staple the middle. Turn 180 deg. and staple the middle. Next stretching as I go I staple along the sides leaving the corners free. I cut across the corners an inch out, fold one side in and then fold the other side of the corners see bottom left.. Next I put hte canvas flat down and paint acrylic / gesso on the back and sides. Turn it over using a cork cut into 4 to balance the underside and paint the flat side. This will take up to 12 hours to dry. I then pint the whole again. 2 coats are generally sufficient but you can use 3. Lastly I rub a base colour on the canvas – I like burnt sienna or brown madder plus white spirit (odourless).
I am back in France for a few days this month, weather is blustery and difficult to paint outside, however I have competed one good #pleinair #oilpainting this will be on the website soon and on display at my Exhibition in #Whitstable at the end of the month.
