Posts Tagged ‘returning to painting’

Lurching onwards

Monday, April 12th, 2010

I’m slowly, creakily, getting back to my painting and it feels, as always, like starting from scratch. So these oil sketches are a bit dauby and clumsy, and I expect that’s how it will be for a while.

It’s much easier to paint when you’re already in the habit of doing it. Once you stop, the fear (or whatever it is) builds up and beginning again seems like quite an obstacle. Whether it’s fear of failure, or success, or both, I’m not sure – but it certainly gets in the way, and not just for me – I know other people who have the same feelings.

I think really it all boils down to something Lowry once said: Painting is ‘damned hard work’.

cloud study, oil on canvas, 6x8 inches

cloud study 2, oil on canvas, 6x8

light over Dentdale, oil on canvas, 6x8