Latest Venice painting

Venice paintings are proving to be popular at the moment so I thought I would post my latest large painting.

Gondolas, Grand Canal, Venice

Runners paintings

The following runners paintings are still for sale - I am donating 20% of proceeds to the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund in February. Contact me by email for further details - liz@lizmilburn.co.uk.

As I am training at the moment for the Bath half marathon I thought I would dig out some of my paintings from the Olympics theme in 2012. The long runners picture below was displayed at the Corn Exchange in Newbury, it looked great in the foyer. It measures 1.35m long so you will need enough space to hang it.

Runners after the start - £400

The next painting, used to advertise my open studio, was of Reading Half Marathon runners.

Runners at the bend - £340

My next two paintings are mixed media and were great fun to do. They both come with dark grey mounts.

Mass of runners at the start - £90

Half Marathon runners on newspaper - £65

See our justgiving page for more details of sponsorship https://www.justgiving.com/Dave-and-Liz-Milburn

Lino-printing

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed a lino-printing workshop with Sarah Morrish. This is a relief printing technique which is similar to wood engraving. This course was great at teaching the proper techniques and allowed me to ask questions about problems I had trying it out.

Shell lino cut 

I have included some images of the work I have done so far. I enjoyed being able to experiment. For me it was important to have a rough design idea traced out then work free hand with the tools. In that way I used the tools much like I use a brush to accentuate the lines. I also discovered mistakes where I left some of the lino behind added character particularly with the shell markings. I like the water movements in the punting lino-print which were done free-hand by thinking about the movement. The Barcelona figures is perhaps the least finished but I like the shadows so have left it for now.

Cambridge Punting

Let me know what you think? I hope to do more and perhaps use some different colours, I particularly want to try sepia. I am planning to sell them as cards or prints.

Barcelona figures

First light at Abel Tasman, New Zealand

In February and March this year I went to New Zealand. It has been a long held ambition to visit and wow it was an amazing place.

I kept a diary of the holiday and I thought I would pick out some notes to explain my feelings for my latest painting of First light, Adele Island, Abel Tasman. Here goes:-

Woke early, dew still on the ground, low rolling mist low down. Dressing I can see small cracks of light emerging. Quick dash to the beach. Not a sole around, dancing light on the water on the beach. The sky is large and expressive. Wonderful, Wow. In one moment, paradise. It locks you in and you don't want to move for fear of missing a single second.

New Zealand has some stunning scenery - it draws you in and you don't want to leave. It will stay forever in my mind. I hope you enjoy the painting.

Life class drawings

Drawing from life:
I found these drawings from a life class last December with tutor Arran Miles. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed these classes - a great session. The collage was interesting as I ripped up some old drawings for the background. See some of the work below:-

Charcoal moving figures

Seated nude - wet acrylic

Seated nude - wet acrylic

Nude on prepared paper

Collage nude

Nude on pink rug

Venice sketch paintings

Here are just a few of my watercolour sketch paintings of Venice. I just loved the vibrancy of the place, the reflections on the water, the range of colours of the buildings were amazing and the frescos - WOW. I will be exhibiting some of these and more at "Glimpses" a small paintings exhibition with friends - see website for details. Enjoy .. more to come .. now working on large canvas's.

Gondolas lined up for hire

Ladies talking on the bridge

Canal with the yellow poles

Cafe by the canal, Formosa

Small bridge in the narrow waterway

Newspaper kiosk

Light on the gondola

Gondola and the red canopies

Venice pencil sketches

At the end of last month I visited Venice, it was a wonderful few days and I managed to do some sketching and painting. At long last I have taken photos of some of my sketch book. Venice is an amazing place and as usual I love to capture the people too.

Palazzo with wonderful bobbing gondola's

Cafe Florian with orchestra playing

Gondoliers

Even more gondoliers

View along the grand canal of the Accademia bridge

Gondola's from Accademia bridge

Front door onto the Grand Canal

Romance of Venice

San Giorgio Maggoire - love the roof line and immense scale of the buildings against the people

Another gondola high in the water

People passing by

People lost?