My new project is a series of watercolours depicting musicians. I have started with a violinist, perhaps I will go through the orchestra or I may concentrate on folk music, it really depends on what reference pictures I can take or find on line.

Portrait painting from a live model at Broadstone Art Society this morning, our model today was Thea. She sat reading the whole time which seems like a good idea if you have to sit still for two hours. (She is allowed a break after an hour) I forgot to photograph it in daylight, the mount is actually white!

This is another painting from yesterday’s urban sketchers meet in Poole Park. This Art Deco ice cream kiosk is closed for the winter but still makes a great contrast with the dark trees and red phone box.

I went to a great art class this afternoon taken by Maggie Farmer with her beautiful dancer Kara. We were given some excercises to loosen up then asked to draw Kara while she danced for us. There was only time to use expressive lines and try to pick out a figure in paint at the end.

Another watercolour portrait attempt, this time our favourite Hogwarts professor played by the brilliant Maggie Smith.

I am fascinated by portraits in watercolour but I can’t seem to get everything to fall into place at the same time. I suppose that it might happen one day if I practice enough.

I wasn’t satisfied with the portrait I painted at Broadstone Art Society yesterday but I did take a couple of photos of the sitter so I tried again this morning. I am happier with it even though she is a bit purple!

Another portrait session with Broadstone Art Society today. The sitter practices yoga so was able to keep incredibly still for the whole session, sadly this didn’t help me get a good likeness although I think her mum would recognise her!

We had to go to Somerset with the dogs for a charity presentation today so on the way back we took them for a walk on the downs at Melbury Abbas. It was far too cold and windy to stop and paint so I did this from a photo this evening.