During my time in Crete, I tried to paint from life (or at least sketch) every day. I also wrote a couple of notes on dated paintings about what I’d been up to, almost in the style of a diary. The format keeps me going.

Here, in no particular order (except of my preference!) are the pieces of work from that week.

I’m proud of the fact that I’m determinedly drawing backgrounds and inanimate objects, as these things are out of my comfort zone (people being my Thing*tm*). The sense of space and proportion is different and I like to think the practice is helping.

My colour theory is also improving; with a determinism to record scenes properly comes a compulsion to add colour to make it a little more lifelike. Desaturated colours are interesting especially.

Being back has been nice. I’d missed Jamie and it was beginning to feel a little shitey, despite the Greek sun and the beautiful beach. I’d forgotten how comfortable cardigans could be!