In the studio - paintings in my A3 journal (4)

 Trying out new colours and compositions.

In the studio - paintings in my A3 journal (3)

 

In the studio - painting in my A3 journal (2)

 Here are some examples of what I have painted in my A3 journal recently.

I have been reading Sarah Hall's novel Helm an epic, centuries-spanning story in which the primary character is a sentient, mischievous wind—the UK's only named wind, which blows off Cross Fell in Cumbria, England. 

I love painting in an abstract lyrical style, and emotional landscapes just pop out regardless of my intention when I start painting. I think that scenes from the novel have seeped into these.

In the studio - painting in my A3 journal

Here is one way that I like to experiment with new compositions and colour palettes.

At the end of a day in the studio I paste pages taken from magazines into an A3 visual diary. I choose magazines that have high quality heavy paper because I like the feel oof paint on that kind of paper.

On the two pages in the image below, are pages from a magazine featuring swimming pools. I taped off the pages with green painter's tape because I intended to leave sections exposed. I use PVA as glue, as it adds a layer which thickens the substrate, however in winter it does need overnight to dry.

The next morning I paint very freely over the magazine pages. I use the exercise to experiment with things that are on my mind.

Below I was thinking about muted tones and composition. No matter what I do, an underlying theme of landscapes comes through. Interesting to observe.