Here are another couple of charcoal portraits, again the references have been taken from Wet Canvas. Thanks WC

I've just started on a couple of abstract charcoal paintings which I will post when I've finished

 Found this small canvas when I moved my stuff into the new studio and decided to paint over it.I posted it on the WC art forum and received the best comment I've ever had about a painting "It looks like sex", thanks timE you made my day

  Been very remiss with blog postings of late, slap on the wrist. So here are a few of the pieces I've been working on. These are all charcoal and they are all references taken from the Wetcanvas image library, which is a great resource. With thanks to contributors Hugh Hill, Dale and whoever posted the "miner" ref, I'm afraid I can't find the name.

Just moved from my little studio to the big  room at the back of our place, it's twice the size so I can make twice the mess! and I'll be able to use bigger canvases. Can't wait to get started.

The room has large windows and a glass door leading onto a balcony which I will fill with plants. Our dog loves it, he lies in the patch of sun that comes (most days) through the balcony door

Here's the third...

Here's the second "palette knife mini":

This is the first of what may become a series of small works done with a palette knife. They are 24x30cm acrylic on canvas board.

Okay I'm up and down like the weather at the moment. No dosh for canvas and paint, so I've dusted off my graphic tablet and here are some of the results:

Be open hearted... .

I love art books. They are delicious. I see them and want to dive into them, for me they are  as irresistible as a bottle of good red. With that said I ordered the New Acrylics Essential Sourcebook by Rheni Tauchid and eagerly awaited its arrival.

It did not disappoint.

Whether you are a new artist or someone like me who has been painting for years, there is a wealth of information and the rich colours and textures of the paintings made me want to rush into my studio and start sloshing colours around. The most stunning and imaginative thing for me  is a coat made out of paint skins.

The latest of the muscle/bone studies.
Next time you laugh or speak just think of the work that goes on underneath.