Indigo Blah

Happy Painting with Colour!

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:29:00 +0000

I've been working on the second, of what may turn out to be a series of paintings about where I live. 'The Barn' is a social club down the valley road in Marlow Bottom. You're always sure of a welcome there, and during the Covid lockdown, Shelley Robson and her team have been feeding vulnerable members of the community each Sunday. Lots of wonderful inspiration for a painting. Now summer is here, outside the Barn hanging baskets and planters are overflowing with gorgeous begonias, which I just had to include of course.

Please contact me for price and further information if you'd like to purchase the original painting. Limited edition prints will shortly be available to buy via my website www.beeskelton.com

Here's an impression of how a print could look framed:

My commission order book is currently open for a limited period. You're welcome to contact me if you'd like me to discuss a painting personalised for you.

Painting village community during Lockdown

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 14:12:00 +0000


Happy Valley acrylic painting by Bee Skelton

Still in semi-Covid 19 Lockdown mode, and having comforted myself with paintings of holiday destinations, I've now returned closer to home for subject matter. Marlow Bottom, the village where I live has been a hugely positive and strong community during these tough months. The churches, schools, shops and even the brewery have kept us all going. It was difficult to decide what to include, and what had to be left out for compositional requirements. I hope to make a series of paintings illustrating other special local places and people. I'm open to ideas and commissions from elsewhere.

As usual I began by making preparatory drawings in my sketch book.

The initial composition sketch will make no sense to anyone other than myself. But that's the whole point of a sketchbook. It's a work book for your own eyes only.

Here are some process images:

I'm very pleased that the completed painting is now being used to raise money for local good causes. See here for more details on my Facebook Page.

Puffin painting & Farne Islands Northumberland

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 12:03:00 +0000

I've been having fun on a virtual holiday escaping lockdown again. This time I've been recalling time spent in Northumberland a few years ago. While there we sailed to the Farne Islands, which is supported by the National Trust, to see the puffins, other sea birds and seals. Well worth a visit, as is Bamburgh Castle, at top of the painting. We hope to return again when circumstances allow to visit the Longstone Lighthouse.

As usual, the painting began with a few scribbles in a sketchbook, to remind myself of the subject and roughly work out a composition.

Then fun with paint on the easel.

First a background.

Archival quality prints in two sizes are now available from my Etsy shop. More information about my work at www.beeskelton.com.

Virtual Vacation on Lockdown

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 10:44:00 +0000

Normally at this time of year I'd be planning a holiday. But with Covid19 lockdown that's sadly not possible. So instead I'm taking a virtual trip to one of my favorite seaside locations with a bit of imagination and paint.

I'm using up an old sketchbook (waste not, want not 😊) for preparation doodles.

Mousehole in Cornwall holds so many memories for me and the family. I could fill a whole sketchbook with drawings of it's buildings and harbour features. But I'll concentrate on just a few. At this time I'm trying to simplify the way I work.

I worked a rough composition sketch of part of the harbour. This painting will be about the fondness I feel for the place and memories, not physical or naturalistic accuracy.

A blank canvas can be a intimidating thing to some artists. I find painting quickly with a big brush is an exciting way to kill the white and create a background. It's just a start and most of it will be painted over eventually.

I'm using acrylic paint on yupo paper for this painting. It's smooth and doesn't buckle, no matter how many layers of paint get added.

Referring to my sketchbook preparatory doodle, I drew buildings and features. I like to draw with pastel, chalk or charcoal at this stage, so if I change my mind about something I can simply rub it off.

When reasonably comfortable, I went over lines with black paint. Buildings are wonky, inaccurate in any natural sense. Marks are loose and imprecise, which is just the way I want them.

Now it's time to start having fun with colour.

Unable to get to the studio because of leg injury. A few boat doodles in sketchbook best I can do in preparation for when painting resumes.

At last I got back up to the studio for a short while and made a little progress on the buildings in this painting.

Using white soft pastel I sketched in where positions of some boats and surf boards might go. Then roughly went over the outlines with black paint.

The painting is now finished, complete with a name for the boat in the foreground.

I thought it fitting to include the name of this vessel because of the brave story surrounding her and crew:

PZ107 Renovelle. Was a 54.4 ft long 1st class lugger built in Mousehole in the year 1902. Operating at Newlyn around 1932 and later. Her crew included Edwin Madron and son (who was drowned at sea), Grandson James 'Jimmy' Bassett Madron later drowned on the Penlee lifeboat. The Renovelle was one of the Newlyn fishing boats in naval service during the 1939-45 World War 2.

Paintings and art prints for sale can be seen on my website www.beeskelton.com or in my shop.

Let Art be your Escape from Lockdown cont'd - 3

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:11:00 +0000

Background

In this third post in my arty escape from lockdown series, we get busy with paint on your chosen surface. Remember you only need a few colours and virtually any surface to paint on (See first blog post for suggested list of materials).

Refer to your doodle sketches (see second blog post). Using a large damp brush and whatever colours you like, loosely lay down the background to simply describe the location for your picture. Imagine it's a stage before the actors arrive. Some acrylic colours are translucent, but if you add a little white, they become opaque.

Word of caution, when using acrylic paint take care not to get it on clothing. Lay protection on furnishings etc., because when dry it will NOT wash off. It is plastic and when dry becomes waterproof. Clean brushes thoroughly in your water pot, or with a baby wipe when not in use. They will be ruined if allowed to dry.

When your background is dry you can paint over it adding other features and people. I used a small damp brush and black paint. You'll notice my painting is beginning to change compared with my previous pencil sketches. Allow yourself to change your mind. Move things around, take things out. Leave gaps to fill in later, like I did in the bottom left corner. Acrylic paint allows you to paint over as many times as you like. So relax.

When comfortable with the composition, begin colouring-in adding layers to describe the people and place. Don't fret about detail. Colours don't need to be accurate. Sky doesn't have to be blue, nor grass green. Trees can be purple....why not! There's no painting policeman standing over you with a big stick saying what's right or wrong ....it's your painting .....so go for it!!!

Close your eyes and think about the people. Who mows the lawn, plays football, loves cats, takes photos, cooks BBQ, wears sunglasses on top of their head, loves to sunbathe? Lots of ways to bring life to your characters. If something doesn't feel right, just paint over it. Above all paint what makes you feel happy.

You're welcome to ask questions, comment or contact me.

Happy Painting! Hugs Bee xxx

Let Art be your Escape from Lockdown cont'd - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 10:42:00 +0000

Family Garden Party after Lockdown

Naturally it's people we miss most during the Lockdown. And I've found it helpful to concentrate on looking forward to happier times ahead. This Family Garden Party is one of the paintings to help me stay positive.

I'm hearing from people who would like to do their own version of this painting. So I'll try to help you get started by showing a little of my process.

As mentioned in yesterday's post, you don't need much in the way of materials.

Begin with paper and pencil and jot down in words the people you want to include in your painting; family, friends, pets etc. Choose a location that will be the background for your picture. You may want to use your garden as a setting as I did, but it can be anywhere; park, playground, theme park, zoo, outdoor cafe, seaside etc....you get the idea. This is important, because although it seems obvious, it will help set the happy story in your mind.

I then like to make a few doodles while thinking about the people, using just simple shapes; circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, straight lines. No need for details like facial features. You might like to show things like beards, sunglasses. Think about how they dress and what they do; one of my sons often wears a cap, and the other is rarely seen without a camera. These are the kind of details that will personalise your picture and make the people recognisable.

Now very roughly draw the location which will form the background to your picture. If it's to be your garden, does it have a fence? Are there trees? Flower beds, pots, steps, child's swing, bench. Which ever happy place you want to take yourself to in your minds eye, scribble down the main features. Work quickly, no need to be neat or precise.

Then you can populate your scene by adding your family, friends and pets. Have them doing or just being how you might see them. It's just pencil marks on paper....not written in stone....you can make changes at any stage. Just relax and enjoy the feel of doing it.

Next time we'll get to work on your painting. Refer back to yesterday's post for a list of suggested materials.

Let Art be your Escape from Lockdown 1

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

I, like I guess many people are finding ways to best deal with the Covid19 Lockdown. For me it's making art. And through it, making connections with the people and places I love, even though I can't physically be with them just now.

Fiddling around with coloured paint can be a calming and therapeutic way to escape with imagination and have fun. So if you've always fancied having a go at painting but never found the time before, now's your opportunity. I hope to be showing how you could make a start here as Lockdown continues.

Picasso said 'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up'. Children see what's important more clearly than we do as grown-ups. I remember my childhood paintings would have a strip of blue for sky at the top and a strip of green or brown at the bottom to show ground, with space between where big and little stick people hovered. Mum had scribbly curls and blue dotted triangle body. To me this way of seeing has a clarity that seems to make sense in the pared-back way we're living just now. So I'm trying to put aside all the art techniques I've learned as an adult in an attempt to go back to making pictures in a simpler way.

Come back if you'd like to have a go yourself and I'll try to show you how. You'll need the minimum of materials:

Scraps of paper or a sketchbook
Pencil
Firm surface to paint on, eg stiff cardboard, smooth scrap wood, hardboard.
Acrylic paint; red, blue, yellow, yellow ochre, white, black.
1 big brush
1 small brush
Plastic store card or bits of stiff card
Baby wipes
Kitchen paper

You'll notice I haven't suggested painting on canvas or posh artist materials. And that's because if this is the first time you've made a painting you need to relax and just have fun. Faced with an artist's canvas you might feel intimidated, stopped from starting for fear of making a mistake. So use what you have to hand .... cut up a cardboard box or search the garage for scrap wood. And here's the best thing. It doesn't matter if you make a 'mistake'! There's no such thing.....only 'happy accidents' as someone, I forget who, once said. Not only that. Acrylic paint is absolutely magical....because you can paint over it with new paint as many times as you like!!!!

See you next time and we'll get started.
Hugs Bee

Why you decide to be an artist?

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 10:26:00 +0000

'Why you decided to become an artist'. Yesterday this was posed as a topic on which to comment by Baz Whitehouse, an artist friend. I hadn't previously given it much thought, but at first tongue in cheek, I thought it deserved its own blog post. So here we go...

In the olden days when there were 8 half a crowns in a GB£, and I was around 7 years old, every week I would enter and, more often than not win half a crown in the painting competition promoted in our local newspaper. 'There's money in this art malarkey' I thought. Half a crown is about 12.5 pence in new money. I've always been an optimist.

But seriously, I think 'being an artist' was who I was always meant to be. At school I was pretty average at most things, apart from art. I hung out with the arty crowd and it was always assumed I would go to art school. That all came a bit un-stuck when the art master put me forward, and I was accepted, as a textile design student at our local art school. But because I aspired to study at the Regional College of Art in Manchester and then go on to the Slade to study fine art .....(always did have illusions/fantasies that needed to be tugged down to earth at times ) I decided that didn't suit me at all, and in a fit of pique did something else entirely.

But, it seems my old art master wasn't altogether mistaken, and probably at that time knew me better than I knew myself, because decades later I worked freelance for needlecraft magazine publishers creating designs for readers to follow. Some of my designs continue to be marketed as kits and needlecrarft projects commercially.

Around 2003 when living in Cyprus I began to believe that I could properly begin to express the artist in me. I shall always be grateful to Stass Paraskkos, who founded the Cyprus College of Art, and my tutors there Andreas Efstathiou, Grahame Parry and visiting tutor, abstract artist Patrick Jones for giving me that freedom.

When I look at their work now, I can see how these mentors each influenced me in different ways. They would probably be disappointed I didn't push myself more. But as I see myself as a perpetual student .... there's still time.

A Little Shop of Artery Goodness!

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Mon, 07 May 2018 11:59:00 +0000

In common I suspect with many artists, I'm usually a pretty solitary person. We tend to work alone, and if like myself your work is marketed mainly on the internet, day to day contact with other arty folk is limited.

Happily for me that began to change when I discovered a gem of an art shop: The Artery owned by Barry Whitehouse, and through him became a member of the Banbury Artists' Cooperative (more of that later).

The Artery has everything I want in an art shop. I can drop in to gather supplies and have a chat. Or I can log in to buy online, connect via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

It's an Aladdin's cave packed floor to ceiling with mouthwatering art and craft supplies. Top product knowledge from Barry and his staff is always on offer when required. There's an astonishing number of art classes and courses taking place upstairs and demos on The Artery YouTube Channel. It's no wonder The Artery is a go-to hub for students of the visual arts and art lovers everywhere.

So in March 2017, Barry who is art tutor and owner of The Artery, found a vacant shop on Church Lane, Banbury, and together with a few talented local artists opened it up as a pop-up art gallery.

From it's early popularity it seemed clear a gallery exhibiting work by local artists was just what the art lovers of North Oxfordshire and South Warwickshire had been waiting for. Footfall and sales increased steadily. And in August last year the Banbury Artists' Cooperative was formed with 35 active members giving Church Lane Gallery solid foundations and a permanent bricks-and-mortar venue for local artists to promote and sell their work.

Our exhibitions change every month with regular Private Viewings and Meet-the-Artists Days for visitors to connect with all of us who create the original paintings, ceramics, art glass, handcrafted jewellery, fine art prints and art cards. This month we are part of Oxfordshire Artweeks featuring stunningly beautiful art glass created by Ruth Lyne.

Paint & Politics

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 16:40:00 +0000


'Something Afoot' mixed media Bee Skelton

I've been concentrating on making work rather than blogging about it for some time now. When I lived in Cyprus, blogging helped me sort out how I felt about all kinds of things; art, life.... the whole confusing conundrum. After a nudge from an arty friend today (thank you Jennifer) I decided to make an effort... so here I go again boring the pants off you!

In my last blog post, those of you polite/desperate/drunk enough to read it, will have noted that I've decided I'm too old/stubborn to follow my old art school tutor's advice to adhere to a particular genre in my work. I now don't give a toss, and I am gloriously indulging myself in whatever takes my fancy with a complete lack of guilt.

I still absolutely adore working to commission; oil portraits of people, pets, landscapes, favourite places and houses etc etc., inspired by client photos and personal insights. But inbetween I change gear completely letting intuition and imagination take over.

It's liberating to begin with a blank canvas, with hardly a clue what I'm going to do. I use mixed media, usually beginning with a rough wash with acrylic to kill the whiteness of the canvas, and then things start to happen with scraps of painted papers, acrylic/oil paint, coloured inks, soft pastel, oil pastel, graphite, charcoal etc etc. Often finished with a lush glossy textured finish to pull it all together!

With the piece above 'Something Afoot' it ought to have a sub-title (Before HS2) I had local environmental issues on my mind, which very soon took control of the subject. My muse, Jennifer, will probably remember during our past collaborations, how disgruntled I was about the High Speed Rail project, which is going to destroy so much of the rural landscape where I live. With construction work imminent this picture is my homage to how my country dog-walking feels at the moment. It is not a literal representation of a particular piece of the landscape, or wildflower meadow. It's how I feel about it inside. And the lack of careful thought that has gone into considering the distruction about to take place.

OK that's me done venting for today. I don't expect what I have to say will be read by anyone who can make a difference. But I feel better ......I think.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Happy Artist!

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 11:34:00 +0000

So much work, in and out of the studio, since my last post almost a year ago! I won't dwell on how terrible I am at this social media malarky, you all know how bad I am ;) So I'll just carry on and pretend I was here only yesterday.

So where am I?

It used to bother me that other artists had a clear voice; that they produced work in a consistent style and genre immediately identifiable as their own. Those days are gone. I've now accepted that my art personna is never going to be like that. And finally I'm OK with it.

Currently I'm working in 3 different ways. And I'm in love with each one equally depending on what the day brings:

I love the collaboration with clients when working on portrait commissions inspired by their photos:

Custom Family Portrait - oil on canvas

Natural still life and landscape, observed wherever I happen to be, continues to fascinate. I've always had a thing about rooms with a view, and windowsills are the focus of some recent work using what I call 'happy colours':

Anemones & Clematis - oil on board

Hydrangea & Wildflowers - oil on board

Pink Orchid - oil on canvas

Roses & Mousehole Harbour - oil on board

And then the mixed media work that evolves using many layers of different paint, ink, pastel, crayon, graphite, pencil, charcoal and resin has me more excited than ever:

Feels Like Autumn - Mixed Media on canvas

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Small painting of Golden Hare

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 15:07:00 +0000

Golden Hare - acrylic painting on gessoed board by Bee Skelton

Here in farming country it's not unusual to see rabbits and foxes along with the sheep, cows and horses. But whilst I know hares are part of the wildlife mix, I see them less often, and when I do they're usually moving too quickly to take proper note. Imagine my surprise when this one stopped outside my kitchen window, pausing long enough for me to grab a photo! He is such a big handsome fellow. I just had to paint him.

Ignoring the barred gate in the photo I composed his portrait on square 8x8 inch gessoed board using acrylic paints. Although it doesn't show well in the photo, it was late afternoon magic hour, and the light made him appear to glow golden. I've attempted to emphasise this by contrasting the warm colouring of the fur with the cool blues and greens of the background.

It's now available for sale unframed, so you can choose a mount and frame style to suit your decor. Here's an idea how it could look with a frame added. Please check my shops and website for further information or contact me personally.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Homage to Vincent

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:00:00 +0000

The Orange House oil painting 10x12 in on canvas board.

I love the location of our home. It's situated on farmland in rural Warwickshire, England. So it was only a matter of time before it became the subject of a painting. I painted it in oils with a hint of Vincent on 10x12 inch canvas board.

Sketchbook study in pencil

At a local art group recently, I attended a lecture by Anthony Slinn, about Vincent van Gogh, which made quite an impression. It was particularly interesting because Prof. Slinn has carefully researched, and physically visited locations of many of Vincents paintings. From assessing the viewpoints, he discovered how Vincent re-imagined and manipulated the landscape to express his feelings. Though key features are recognizable in the paintings, when compared with the locations today, it can be seen how Vincents mind and eye re-interpreted them in his unique manner.

Sketchbook study in pencil

My paintings can begin in several different ways. With this one, I could easily have set up my plein air easel along the lane, as Vincent would have done for sure. Alternatively because I know the place so well, I could have used memory and imagination. However some time ago I'd made sketchbook studies, so on this occasion I referred back to these drawings as a starting point.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Sketchbook study and painting on the farm

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 08:55:00 +0000

Walking the dogs every day I see so many scenes I'd love to paint. This shady gap through a hedge offered a good view of a wheatfield after harvest. Farm life moves on rapidly. Straw bales are being shifted into barns already. I needed to to be quick before they all disappeared. A sketchbook drawing using graphite stick and watercolour did the job.

Back in the studio I tried to develop the feeling of the scene in oils on a small gessoed panel, with composition tweaked more to my liking. Having worked the sketch from life and direct observation, some how the brain retains additional visual information. You feel back in the moment. It's a good alternative when time or full plein air painting kit isn't available.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Family Art Expedition

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 11:07:00 +0000

My youngest grandson and I walked over the fields to the canal with sketchbooks and drawing gear earlier this week. We've been having proper hot summer weather in England recently, so while drawing we planted ourselves under the fat shade of a beech tree. Then Max posed for his photo in the sun.

He and his brother enjoy getting involved with our homely country activities when they come to stay. I'm so fortunate we're able to share making art together especially.

That day I had time for just one sketch before we hiked further along the canal in search of lunch. I thoroughly fell in love with the location. Inevitably my eye found innumerable pleinair painting spots for future visits.

A couple of days ago I returned with outdoor painting gear and made a little painting from roughly the same spot. It's oil on 5x7in canvas.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Plein air painting - travelling light

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:00:00 +0000

I do love painting outdoors. It's an art making experience like no other; a real challenge that's different every time, one I'm finding challenging and exhilarating.

I got my plein air easel years ago when on my fine art degree course, but I'm still learning the best ways how to get around with it outdoors. So far this combined backpack and stool, which I found in a charity shop, is the best solution when I want to travel light.

Here's how my plein air kit looks on location, before set up. You can just see the scene I'd chosen in the background; a gap in the trees to a little wheat field, just before harvesting started last weekend.

On this occasion the pack was stuffed with brush roll, small box of oil tubes, Daler Rowney air tight turps container, kitchen towel, tear off palette, small boards, easel tray, and viewfinder, with a few personal necessities like a water bottle and hat thrown in. The collapsible easel was strapped on with bungee.

Apart from a chat with the farmers wife and daughter, the company of sheep and assorted wild life, including a low-flying heron, I spent a solitary couple of hours concentrating on that gap in the field.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

English countryside plein air landscape oil painting

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:42:00 +0000

Storm Clouds Over Wheat Field 5x7in plein air oil painting on board, unframed.

One look at those clouds put some urgency into the brushwork on this plein air landscape painting. With every possibility of a drenching I didn't go far. Taking only a few tubes of oil paint (ultramarine, burnt sienna, lemon yellow, crimson, phthalo green, and titanium white) with minimum other art gear, I was prepared to pack up quickly if rain arrived.

In every direction I looked; along the lane or across the fields to the woods and hills, there was a scene ready-made for painting. The English countryside of Warwickshire, really is picture perfect! I plumped for this view looking across the sheep meadow, because I liked the contrasting bands of green and gold (not clear to see in the photo). Despite the threatening sky, sunshine did strike through occasionally lighting up the wheat field, with the barn roof making a handy focal point.

In the end rain didn't stop play, the sky cleared, the painting was completed and is now available to buy. Contact me at beeskelton@gmail.com for information and price.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Painting plein air in a sunny garden

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:40:00 +0000


Summer Flower Garden - 5x7in plein air painting, acrylic on board.

The weather was very kind to me when I set up my easel to paint this sunny flower border in the garden. The sunshine was quite powerful, and I was glad to find a little shade for myself.

Generally I prefer to use oil paint, but on this occasion I set up a strong plastic lidded chocolate box to use as a practical palette, which can be taped closed when on the move. (Ferrero Rocher boxes make great acrylic paint palettes, with a wad of dampened kitchen towel, and sheet of tracing paper, or baking parchment).

The composition originally included one of our cats curled up in a flower pot. Inevitably Flossie decided under the pine tree was a far superior spot, so off she trotted. As it turned out, I think the painting is better with this less complicated view.

The painting is available for sale without a frame, but I thought it would be fun to see how it could look with a frame added. If you're interested in more information and a price please contact me.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Painting inside and out!

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:56:00 +0000

I'm sorry I've been missing in action from this blog since almost the beginning of this year. Truth is commissioned paintings have taken over my studio life, and I've been fighting to keep up. So much so that I got to the point of feeling some pressure, and now feel the need to do other work for a while, just to re-charge my painterly batteries.

Please excuse me if you were about to contact me to commission a painting. I'm not stopping commissions for good .... I just want to explore the possibilities of making other artwork for a while.

I truly appreciate the clients I've been working with. Without exception they are wonderful people, who do me a great honour when they choose me to paint their loved ones, pets and favourite places.

Here in rural England we are having what passes for summertime. And I've been taking my plein air easel outdoors to work from direct observation of the beautiful world I see around me. It's a completely different process for me compared to working from photos, which is mostly necessary when painting commissions for clients via the internet. Few clients live in locations where I can easily visit and paint from life.

If you'd like to see my new paintings as they happen I'd love you to come back for a peak. In the meantime, here are a few of the commissioned paintings I've completed recently.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Art Swap Collaboration

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 21:22:00 +0000

Last Autumn I was invited to get involved in an art swap with a small group of other artists connected to the OCA (Open College of the Arts) It felt like a good opportunity to be in touch with old, and new student friends, even though I'm no longer officially a student. It also offered the refreshing opportunity to create small, spontaneous pieces, totally different to the commissioned paintings I mostly make.

Each of us was to put forward a group of 5 random words to inspire a postcard sized piece of artwork. We were instructed not to look at our given words until ready to do the work, so that inspiration would be immediate, and not over-thought. I might have cheated, if I hadn't been too busy at the time. So the words were relegated to the 'I'll get around to that later' place on my laptop. Then, when for various reasons the timing for the process was extended to the New Year, it seemed like I had all the time in the world, and promptly forgot all about about it.

This week, when Ange finally sent the DEADLINE APPROACHING! style email, I was up to my eyes in paid work, finishing a couple of portrait commissions with a queue of others waiting.

After 30 seconds of panic, I realized a little time off for good behavior was just what I needed. I make three categories of art; paid work, experimental/learning art and just play.

Playtime began with a cursory look at each set of words. I deliberately didn't over analyze and merely expressed the first reaction to how the words made me feel. It seemed most of the word-sets had notions in common with each other. I decided to work on 4 of the pieces together, using the same large piece of paper as a support to collage onto.

Media used; torn painted and drawn papers from my stash, drawn/painted into using acrylic paint, inks, graphite, soft pastel and oil pastel. After some interesting things started to happen, I made a postcard sized aperture in a piece of white A4 paper, providing a template to isolate the compositions I wanted to develop. Further mark making followed. After cutting out the small abstract compositions, the remains of the large partly developed support has been added to my stash for the next time I want to play.

One set of words resonated differently to the others; a cry from the heart. And this I worked separately. I hope the art swap wasn't too stressful for this collaborator and that she has as much fun as I did in the end.

It’s weighing on my mind.

Collaboration: Ingrid & Bee

Fly away on gossamer wings.

Collaboration: Alison & Bee

Iron ore vein Dark Dangerous

Collaboration: Mark & Bee

Whispering halfpenny water

runs aimlessly

Collaboration: Ange & Bee

Summer’s dying lines Autumn’s cloak.

Collaboration: Catherine & Bee

How to commission artwork by Bee Skelton.
Send Bee an email.

You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

A Marriage Proposal

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 12:53:00 +0000

Commissioned oil painting on canvas 80x100cm

The brief for this painting came right out of the blue, from the young lady featured, in this most romantic of portraits. She wanted the painting to present to her fiance on the day of their wedding. Such a charming idea, which instantly captured my imagination.

But there was a problem; the only photo of the marriage proposal was a rather poor photo taken at night in very dim artificial lighting, out of focus, of a very low resolution, with the bride-to-be's face almost completely obscured by her beautiful hair. Enjoying a challenge, as I do, I decided to accept the commission. What follows, shows the several attempts I made to do justice to this special moment in the lives of this young couple, and in particular the struggle I had to capture that lovely face on canvas.

work in progress 1

I began as usual by drawing the composition onto the canvas. On this occasion with graphite, as I wanted to be quite precise about the positioning of the hands and the tender way they were clasped.

A likeness to the subjects wasn't my aim at this stage. It was more important to show the posture of the figures, and how they related to each other.

work in progress 2

Work-in-progress 2 shows how I loosely blocked in the background to reflect the dark randomness of what in the photo appeared to be a rough stone wall. It was very apparent that this was not going to work well, and would need to be re-thought later.

Leaping onward to work-in-progress 9 by this time I had softened the background, with the beginnings of light glowing centrally. Almost from the start I had the feeling I wanted to show the young people as if caught in a bubble of emotion, where their connection to each other was almost electric. Totally separate from all the other people perhaps there at the time, or viewing the painting in the future.

The loving expression on the young man's face clearly showed in the photo, so was able to capture this straight away. I then began a similar process with the other beautiful face, which was less straight forward.

Having little to go on from the proposal photo, because her face was hidden by hair, the client provided many other photos of herself. None of them seemed to have the expression I felt she would have worn at that very special moment. I made many attempts to combine how she appeared in the various photos together with my imagination. The client collaborated wonderfully, with images and emails flying backwards and forwards, until we eventually saw her perfect expression emerge on the canvas.

Finally she sent images of furniture and decor in the room where the painting would be displayed, so I was able to add soft pastel tints to complement the room.

This project was a great lesson to me. Emotions and instincts are far more important than any technical issues. Problems are there to be overcome. With persistence, plus enthusiasm and feedback from clients, magic things can happen.

Commissioned oil painting on canvas 80x100cm

How to commission a painting. If you have an idea for a painting you'd like to discuss with me, you're welcome to get in touch. You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Pomerian pet portrait painting

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 00:17:00 +0000

Dazzling custom dog portrait by Bee Skelton

A few weeks ago, I was initially astonished to receive a most unexpected commission for a custom pet portrait, in a style for which I'm not generally known. I really did marvel at the the confidence the client placed in me, because she knew my usual work, and was still prepared to trust me to do something so completely different.

Little dog Jimmy is a most treasured pet, who holds a special place in the heart of the client and her man. A spectacularly bright, semi-abstract style was requested. But it also needed to be a portrait in the usual sense, in that there was to be a likeness to the subject.

I decided Jimmy's sweet face needed to be rendered as naturally as possible as a starting point. As usual in my portraits, I wanted to focus on the eyes.

Once I felt the little dog's personality was beginning to show, I began to let rip with colour. What FUN that turned out to be!

Fluffy Pomeranian dogs have long hair, so there was ample scope to play with texture, brush strokes and oodles of thick paint. Finally my client requested I hide Jimmy's name in the painting for viewers to search for.

I loved being challenged to do something outside my comfort zone. I look forward to more of the same .... but different LOL!

How to commission a painting. If you have an idea for a painting you'd like to discuss with me, you're welcome to contact me.
You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Game of Thrones painting

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:17:00 +0000

Double portrait in Game of Thrones theme landscape

Today I thought it was about time I caught up a little on the blog to show just a few of the custom paintings I've worked on over recent weeks. The first one above was a most unexpected commission. And what fun it it turned out to be!

The client and his girlfriend are huge fans of the Game of Thrones tv series. So much so, they've been to Ireland for a tour of the film locations. Resplendent in fur-trimmed cloaks they had a photo to prove it. I was honoured to receive a request to use it as inspiration for a painting as a special surprise for the client's lady.

Here I have to 'fess up, I have never actually seen Game of Thrones, so needed to do a little homework. However, the photo was very helpful, as it featured a beautiful background, which fans will recognise I believe. In creating the painting I set out to emphasise the fantasy nature of the theme.

Work in progress 1

The painting was to be in acrylics on a 30x48.5 stretched canvas, approximately 12x20ins. A wide format, intentionally chosen to show as much as possible of the fabulous landscape.

I began in WIP1 by loosely sketching the composition onto the gessoed canvas with thin grey paint, using the photo as inspiration.

Work in progress 2

WIP2 involved adding some colour in medium tones.

Work in progress 3

In WIP3 I set some darker tones.

From then on I gradually added layers to describe the atmosphere of the landscape background and eventually details of the portrait subjects in the foreground.

How to commission a painting. If you have an idea for a painting you would like to discuss with me, you're welcome to get in touch. You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com

Support for #SeaShepherd defending whales in the Faroe Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 11:09:00 +0000

I don't want to believe my eyes! This morning I've been watching pictures on Twitter of the horrific slaughter of beautiful, innocent creatures. Fishermen chased 250 whales to shore in the Faroe Islands and the locals stabbed them to death with glee while children watched! The sea is turned red! A blood bath! How can so-called civilised people do this in the 21st Century!

I'm not rich, all I can do is paint. But I have to do something. I want to donate the whole of my fee for my next commissioned painting to Sea Shepherd who are doing their best under extreme circumstances to try to save the whales against such cruelty and ignorance. I will also throw in FREE SHIPPING!

If you would like to help the charity by commissioning a painting take a look at the special listing I've added to my Etsy shop I shall be making my donation to the Sea Shepherd donation page. If you don't want a painting at this time and would like to give direct to Sea Shepherd, no matter how little, you know what to do. On the other hand if you've been thinking about buying one of my custom portraits and want to help protect the whales, this is the ideal opportunity Click here to find out how you can help.

Remember: As always I offer a FREE assessment of your photo before you pay. So please email me your favourite photo to inspire your painting and I'll get back to you pronto!

Black poodle custom portrait painting

noreply@blogger.com (Bee Skelton) — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 19:25:00 +0000

Completed black poodle custom portrait.

I received a commission to paint a poodle with a cute smiley expression as a gift for the clients father. It was a interesting project as the little dog is completely black. I've painted many black dogs before but on this occasion decided to accentuate lights and medium tones using distinctive blue notes .

black dog work-in-progress 1

I worked on a stretched canvas using acrylic paint rather than oils because the painting was required quickly. Oil paint would have taken too long to dry before it would have been safe to ship to the USA from my studio in England. I started with underpainting in soft warm colour intended to be complementary to the blues to be worked later. A loose sketch of the poodle followed in thin dark grey paint.

Gradually tones, texture and colour were developed and finally a simple background that was carried onto the sides so the painting can be displayed without frame.

If you would love a portrait of your own dog, send me your favourite photo for FREE consultation and advice to beeskelton@gmail.com

black dog work-in-progress 2
more tone added

black dog work-in-progress 3
with light/medium blue notes

black dog work-in-progress 4

black dog completed side view