A fascinating afternoon at the Manchester Buy Art Fair browsing the stalls and seeing the work of other artists. This is the fourth one I have been to and a good exhibition, even though a few of the galleries were showing similar work to previous years. This maybe because these were the artists they represented or that this is the type of art they think will sell.
I had thought about getting a stall but they seemed expensive and difficult to gauge what people were buying. 
Good to see several workshops and local artwork. This year artists such as Tracy Emin had work on show; in her case a small print which was selling well. 
On the way I stopped off at the Artzu gallery and had a look in at the artwork. A conversation was taking place between the owner and a customer. The owner was saying that there are only two major galleries in Manchester nowadays, although a few smaller ones can be found. This compares to a few years ago when there were a lot more.
This was interesting after my trip to Hale where there are two important galleries close to each other in this small town.
This seems a shame as the number of people attending the fair shows  there is an interest.

An interesting time in Hale visiting the Gateway Gallery and Clark Art Gallery.
As a northwest artist I have always been interested in the Northern School of Art and have exhibited in shows with work  featuring some of  these artists. 
 I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of the book "A Northern School" by Peter Davies in Blackpool Art Gallery in the late 80's meeting many fellow artists at the launch. Having stored my original copy of the book,  I have also bought the revised edition to add to my library.
Both galleries have an excellent range of work representing the work of Northern artists and it was informative talking to the owners. Hopefully I will be able to show my work there sometime in the future.

An interesting afternoon,with fellow artists, sketching at Astley Green Colliery.
Lots of old machines and equipment to sketch and great weather.

​After last weeks bright picture I decided to use one of my studies from last October to do a slightly darker toned painting. This was from a walk around a local park. The pond, in Light Oaks park, is well known for somewhere to feed the ducks.
I started by adding the lights before adding some darks to give me a structure to the painting.
Next I started blocking in areas making sure to work on the whole canvas at times to give the work unity.
After finishing the top section I turned the painting upside down to add paint to the water. This allowed me better freedom and a chance to view the painting from another angle.
Finally turning it the correct way up, finishing the bottom section and then standing back to see what adjustments were needed.  

With days away it's good to get back to putting paint on a canvas. 
I started in my usual way,with this size canvas adding the lights. Next i started to add the middle tones to start to get some definition to the painting.
Having established the basic composition i started to add darks and then work on individual areas.
​Finally working on the canvas as a whole.

A nice walk along the seafront after a visit to the Pavilion. Great to see a range of small galleries in the archways. A good selection of styles and an interesting time spent viewing the work. Then decided to go on the BA 360i for an aerial view. Loved the images as the platform came down from the previous group.

Just had a few days in Brighton and had a chance to visit the Pavilion. A stunning piece of architecture. Also a chance to go into the gallery there. An interesting pot by Picasso and a range of paintings. A nice morning spent there before going for a walk on the pier and beach.