Painting No 5 - Cottages, Buckmoorend

Now this one I like. I did it last week on a 12" x 16" canvas on board. Not perfect but not bad for my fifth attempt. It is still fairly tight but it works for me, largely I think due to the overall composition and mix of colours. It is from a photo I took whilst out running last year. The house just above the white cottage is the gatehouse for Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister.

I am starting to loosen up a bit. Click on the image and take a look at the bales in the foreground. These aren't as tight as I'd have done them a few months ago.

Progress of a sort.

Painting No 2 - Cottage, Aldbury Nowers

This is on a 10" x 12" canvas on board. I used a photograph that I'd taken whilst out on a dog walk.

Again, fairly pleased with this one. I managed to keep the pallette a bit more restricted, especially with the greens. It is still a bit tight but how do you paint a drainpipe without being tight? I waited until the grass was dry enough before using masking tape to help produce the straight lines for the fence. I like the effect of the lights and shadows on the grass on the drive in the foreground.

Overall, I'd like to be able to paint with more paint on my brush but I struggle to get sufficient on the brush without making it too lumpy. Maybe need to use a medium or solvent. More study required.