Observations

This is the view from Kirkly Hall Zoological Gardens where I do voluntary work at weekends. It's beautiful and it's lovely just to sit at lunchtimes or after work taking it all in.

I have noticed my observations becoming more and more defined, the more drawing I've done. When I look at the sky, any clouds bounce out, blues become lilacs and the greenish haze at sunset becomes soaringly obvious.
When I talk to people I find myself studying their eyes and nose, tracking any anomalies and mentally drawing the contours and shadows of their face. Hopefully they don't just think I'm staring maniacally!
Movement is another, watching how forms move and relate to their environment. I trained as a dancer for a while, I still do a little every now and again; I should probably use that experience more. It's about filling the space using the floor, using your muscles and skill. With art you have your paper or canvas and chosen medium/tools. You fill the space using your medium and skill. Both require interpretation.
I'm dabbling in landscapes at the moment. They have scared me a little in the past. It's the big space I have to interpret onto that empty piece of canvas or paper. The way I feel is that the more visually inspiring the scene is, the less scared I am, that said if you zone in on something not so striking you may be quite surprised about what you find. I certainly need to play about a bit more with that.
I stayed at a friends house last night. She lives in Mariners Wharf on Newcastle Quayside. I awoke early this morning to the sun coming up over the Tyne river. It was visually gorgeous, because of the light, what the camera didn't obviously pick up on was a small collection of wooden boats bottom right and a couple of yachts on the left of the river. The inclusion of which in the scene to a greater or lesser extent, could dramatically change the compositional focus and potentially the feelings evoked by picture. Maybe I'll attempt something based on it a little later and just maybe I'll get brave with the paint!
Happy Sunday :)