Guidelines I have set myself
Over the years I have developed a pattern of work that suits me.

The vital importance of good drawing
I personally feel that good drawing is essential, as only from a sound base can an effective painting be created. I always start my picture by drawing with soft pencil, pastel pencil, conte or hard pastel.

Story Line
I look for my paintings to tell a story, sometimes they are just what they are - simply a snapshot of time, mood and atmosphere through colour value and edge, but always with a focal point. I try to create a dynamic pastel painting that compels the viewer to an emotional response. If I find my eye repeatedly stopping at a place other than the focal point. It signals to me that I may have a composition problem, so I must eliminate the unimportant and concentrate on the important. So I would reframe my image to capture my emotional response to my subject. Emphasise the scenes natural perspective to draw to a viewer’s eye into the picture. Exaggerate the focal image with contrast, colour and focus.

Creative and Atmospheric
Creating an illusion of atmosphere is not something that can be learned overnight. With me it was trial, error and careful observation and starting with colours then making graduations. The scenes atmosphere is created by neutralising colour and lightening value.

Transforming humble scenes with Light
For me a crucial element is to create light on the ordinary things in the painting e.g. the light coming through an open door- filtered through an old window or the Sun touching the subject and in places illuminating it! Light suffuses the subject, transforming the everyday into something extraordinary and exciting.

Passion
I think my paintings speak for themselves in showing you my passions about the animals, people, places and situations that have touched my life.
Susan