Australian Artist challenge June 2011

By the way, I had entered the Australian Artist challenge/competition for the June 2011 edition. I submitted three entries. The portraits are 100cm x 100cm oil paintings on canvas. The first one is of my very good friend Andrew, and the second is of my very dear friend John. I also added a magenta rose. It is an oil painting 45cm  x 45 cm....................I did not win the challenge!
Here they are.........what do you think?

Me fatty

Apple! Jazz apple? Well, this is my latest oil painting. I had never seen a Jazz apple before in my life. I decided to go back to oil painting this week and tried to change the way I usually paint. I have been painting realistically with lots of blending in the past with multiple layers of paint, but not this time. This painting is done Alla Prima with no blending, just putting down the brushstrokes the best I possibly can. This has been more challenging than I thought, but fun at the same time. Anyway, more apples to come soon. Older paintings here for comparison.

Plan de la Limace au printemps

My sister in law had sent me several photographs last year. She was at Plan de la Limace in the Bauges region in Savoie France. I had been thinking for quite some time about painting this breathtaking and awesome scenery in watercolour. As always, it has been a challenge to use watercolour as a medium. I must admit, I have had plenty of frustration but in the end I am quite happy with the results. I will try to do it again perhaps in the near future. Anyway, time now to think of my next painting....for next week. Will it be a watercolour again or an oil painting? We will see.....

Yolande au plan de la limace dans les Bauges en Savoie France. Que du bonheur!

Pears

I wanted to paint some pears in watercolour this weekend. The weather outside is mild but one can already feel winter coming. I went upstairs to my studio, put on some music and tried to relax. Watercolour is a difficult medium for me. Anyway, it was challenging but I enjoyed the "doing it" and am happy with the results.