Just received a lovely email – “Dear Tina, Would you mind if we use your lovely Persimmon on our latest promotional material? All the best, The Arts Team, Luton Hoo Walled Garden“
MY FOUR PAINTINGS ARE COMPLETED FOR THE LUTON HOO EXHIBITION – THREE FRAMED 25 October (delivery 26th October, so a late night framing the fourth and making labels etc.), and all delivered on time!
1. DONE. Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) Code 1304. Sketch completed 12 September 2013. Painting completed 3 October.
2. DONE. Butomus umbellatus (Flowering rush) Code 1305. Sketch completed 13 September 2013. Painting started 4 October; completed 12 October.
3. DONE. Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) Code 1306. Sketch completed 14 September 2013.Painting begun 15 October; completed 21 October 2013.
4. DONE. Rosa gallica officinalis (Gallic Rose) Code 1307. Sketch completed 14 September 2013. Painting begun 22 October; completed 25 October 2013.
ALL SKETCHES DRAWN ONTO PROPER 100% COTTON RAG PAPER, READY FOR PAINTING (19th September 2013). It is exactly a month to handing in day. I shall upload progress pictures when I can.
The two photographs side by side in the left hand column further below show my studio window ledge – decaying, smelly, hollyhocks and flowering rush – which has actually started growing new shoots!
1. Alcea rosea (Hollyhock) Code 1304. Sketch completed 12 September 2013:

1304Web1
3. Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose) Code 1306. Sketch completed 14 September 2013 (see below).
4. Rosa gallica officinalis (Gallic Rose) Code 1307. Sketch completed 14 September 2013 (see below). It is interesting that some things look odd! I am left-handed and when I designed the sketch felt it was all right; I looked again at some old ‘Masters’ and noticed that most curve to the right. I reversed my drawing on the computer and printed it out and asked my right-handed neighbour which composition he preferred. He plumped for the reverse drawing, as did my hubby. So I think it will have to be the reverse in the final painting. As I usually (and did in this case) draw straight on to tracing paper, this did not present a problem.
2. Butomus umbellatus (Flowering rush) Code 1305. Sketch completed 13 September 2013 (see below). I think I shall move the elements around in the final drawing, as the original sketch does not look well balanced – in the final drawing, I have moved the main flower stem upwards and more to the centre, and brought the right hand leaves in closer and slightly behind the main flower head.