Our surroundings and environment are so important aren’t they! I’ve lived in cities for most of my life now so while I love landscapes, I don’t spend much time ‘in the landscape’ compared to the time I spend in urban environments. My ideal would be to have a nice balance (if only I could afford a place in the country as well as the city!)

Oliver and I didn’t knew each other 30 years back, but we both are inspired by Alwyn Crawshaw in the late 80’s. From there we liked the English landscape painters. But Olivers way of painting is much finer and more detailed. And colorful. I am more attracted to the gra meadows of Holland.

Hi Ray and many thanks for this, much appreciated! Reading your comments makes me think that there’s a lot more to be encouraged by than I’d previously thought (or rather allowed myself to think about!) You’re definitely right about that Dome! I ended up make a right pig’s ear of it! I’m likely to try painting this scene again as its such a great building. Thanks so much Ray!

Hi Barbara and thanks so much for this! I’m envious of your experience with Herman, I really admire his approach and have a number of his DVDs and he comes across as a great person as well as a painter! Yes, I think we’re both in similar territory – the post workshop lull when you’re full of enthusiasm and desperate to try to put everything you’ve learnt into action. Let’s try to be kind to ourselves and allow ourselves a little more time to let it all soak in before expecting to see instant results in our paintings! Great to know that I’m not alone Barbara, and many thanks for your comments, they’re much appreciated!

Yes Edo, I’m familiar with Oliver Pyle and I recognise a similarity in your aesthetic! I’ll certainly check out the video you’ve suggested. Many thanks Edo!

I think you know Oliver Pyle? He got a excellent video to guide you on the right track again. He is a good friend from me. And he sure think about the watercolour what it is all about. and not only the painting of one. https://youtu.be/CT3tt0pztPY

Hi Edo and thanks for this. I appreciate your honesty and your candour. You’re quite right too! What’s come to excite me most in my painting definitely leans more towards AC than, say Rowland Hilder (whose work I still love!) but I still need to find my own voice and expression. I think I’m within touching distance, but for sure the recent workshop with AC has been a diversion (albeit a great and wonderful one!). I’m already feeling much more optimistic after this little exchange! Thanks so much for your support and encouragement Edo, I really appreciate it!

Haha, no fear of that Warren – I’m usually far too busy cutting my nose off to spite my face to have time to think about going for an ear!

Thanks so much for this salient reminder! If we’re committed, then we have to be in it for the long haul – and our progress is better judged over time than from one effort to the next! Sorry to hear about your recent over working – it’s so easily done and so hard to resist!