Sketches on the train, bus and tube in February II

These are more sketches. Someone asked how I start off- Some of the sketches here are just basic landmark lines-that's how I begin.

Kezia in sleep mode X, 8" x 6", Graphite, 2010

My first catch this year of Kezia in sleep mode. I was just getting into it when the phone rang... and oops she's awake again.....grrrrrrh

MACKY, 9" x 12", Mixed Media on Paper, 2010

Check out how this this mixed media piece of a homeless guy I met on the streets was transformed from a sketch by clicking HERE

Sketches on the train in February I

More sketches done yesterday on the trains. On the sketch above the lady was sitting right in front of me and she seemed to enjoy the process of watching her face unfold....I was unlucky as I ran out of time to finish....I had already got to Belvedere, my stop!

Sketches on the train and tube in January IV

Some more recent sketches and one more self portrait!

Sketching the Sketcher (26 self portraits on the move)

@toilets trafalgar square



@bus 180



@southeastern trains



@bus 53


I have decided to post these sketches all self potraits that I have done on the move, from the archives. Some have been sketched on the train, looking into the windows when it is dark for my reflection and others have been done in toilets, looking at mirrors and some at public laundry, looking into the window for reflections. The ever changing face!


@toilet nandos



@bus 155



@bus 401



@southeastern trains



@southeastern trains



@bus 401



@public laundry



@public laundry



@southeastern trains




@southeastern trains



@bus 345



@southeastern trains



@bus 180



@bus 177



@southeastern trains



@bus 180



@bus 180



@bus 180



@bus 180



@southeastern trains



@southeastern trains



@southeastern trains

Sketches on the train and tube in January III

Today I managed to sketch myself by looking in the train window reflections and just one more page. I had to do the other sketch in Biro as my lead from the mechanical pencil finished with all the dark stroking. I'll continue all other sketches in Biro from now onwards as I approach a new sketchbook.

FLYING MOLESKINS

This is a great exchange of sketchbooks between 13 artists that I am currently taking part in. Check the site HERE for details.



Front cover

I have as the theme for my sketchbook- Homelessness and Poverty and I have kicked things off with this image below.



"got spare change, please...?"

Biro, graphite and No75 TOMBOW BRUSHPEN

It is really going to be great! I'll end up with a sketchbook full of different artists interpretation of theme: Homelessness and Poverty.



When my sketchbook finally comes back to me after traveling round to 13 different artists homes , I'll continue the project and make sure the book is filled with different images to project this theme.



I received my first batch of Moleskin pages from Liz and it also had gifts for my children! Now that's great!

A great thanks to Dominique for getting this all underway!

Sketches on the train and tube in January II

More people sketched yesterday during my journeys.

Sketches on the train and airport in January I

Got to sketch these people, one of the guys looked like Picasso!

Random Sketches during travel to Tokyo.

Just some random sketches during my travel to Tokyo. As it was a break from Art I had to discipline myself not to get too busy.






But the camera never stopped clicking....

"Norman Road Intersect, Belvedere", 18" x 12", Oil on Board, 2009

The snows started immediately I landed Heathrow Airport from Tokyo on Tuesday night and I just needed one days rest and after that I just couldn't wait to get out there to paint. The light was beautiful just for a while today and I managed to capture a bit of it in this painting. It was biting cold but my experience at Bath helped me to get used to any sort of weather. I enjoyed the painting but after a while reality stepped in and I couldn't bear it no more, it was time to pack up after 2 hours out in the snow!



Below are some shots of me on site.


Completed



The Initial Block-in



Putting finishing touches



Brush handling

"Contemplation II" (DSFDF Portrait Swap), her version of me, Graphite, 2009

Adebanji by Emilie

I almost thought I was going to belong to the 'singles' who didn't have faithful partners, but I was so shocked to see my old head pop up on the dsfdf site.
Lucky enough for those singles Karin Jurick filled in the gap and has painted the missing ones HERE. Her paintings are just wonderful!

Emilie Guderian, the artist who I drew below, has rendered a powerful portrait in my favourite medium, I just love it!!!


Emilie by Adebanji

She hasn't got a link to a website or blog. Hope she sees this post and we can connect.

.....and for those of you who thought my nose wasn't growing bigger....check the piece above, it is the truth, there's no going back!

The man in the mirror, sketchbook (pen and ink), 2009

No travel, just chilling out in my room in Tokyo and I need to know the truth, the truth is my nose is getting bigger......

This self portrait sketch was done in biro and a number 75 cool grey Tom Bow marker.

Some artists that caught my attention at Art Liberating Lives 2009

This was an exhibition I attended the night before I left for Tokyo on the 15th of December, I could have posted this earlier as I'm just in the holiday mood but I don't want to leave it till next year. This was Sue Ryder Care's annual exhibition-Art Liberating Lives at the Mall Galleries-it was an uplifting and eclectic collection of works inspired by the theme, "Liberation".

Overall you could see artworks by established artists, available for auction, selected pieces from submitting artists, pieces created by their prisoner engagement programme and an entire room dedicated to works produced by people receiving their care.

It was a fund raising event which has been going on for the 4th year but this was the first year I discovered it and I was happy to take part-as I sold my piece "Art Therapy" on the opening evening of the private view and it was great meeting the lovely lady who bought the piece and the reason why she bought it. Most times one doesn't get to meet the buyer but this day was great!


"Art Therapy" Self Portrait- click HERE for my post on this piece

Each year Sue Ryder Care makes a difference to the lives of thousands of people -they deliver compassionate support to people in their homes and through their specialist hospices and care centers.

ARTISTS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE-click on names for links to their websites.

1. DAN GREEN



"A moment for Love"

First sight of this painting got my attention, the illumination across the figure coming from the upper right kept the whole piece in a transitive mood. Looking closer at the woman portrayed I discovered some younger faces in the background which wasn't apparent at first sight. It all has to do with the moment his sitter goes into her past. It was only later on in the night that Dan was able to recollect that he had met me somewhere before-it was on ITV's show, "Brush with Fame" he was one of the 10 finalists from London. It was a great re-union as we had not seen or connected since 2005.

This was the write-up for the painting-
"My painting depicts the mother of my partner Winnie, who is suffering from Vascular Dementia. Now, at the age of 86 she has no concept of time or place, who she is, who is her daughter, my partner is, or where she is.
Now unable to talk or communicate her feelings-which are still there as she often sobs, the only time she appears to have some respite from this living hell is when she falls asleep in her chair in her room at the Care Home, which is now the extent of her world. It is this time that I chose to depict, seeing her bathed in sunlight in her darkened room. Faintly depicted in the background are images of Win and her husband when they first married."


2. NAOMI ARTON


"A very happy unbirthday"

I was drawn to this piece by the colour and boldness of the figures depicted. I love paintings of children in activity or at play and this was a feast for my eyes.
The painting had a more somber tale to it-
"My little boy Max became seriously ill, brain damage was found 2 years ago, he is now at Great Ormound Street Hospital where they are trying to get his seizures under control. Painting him and his brother has helped me, I hope it helps others too.
When things get rough we have Unbirthday parties. We sing happy birthday to each other, eat terrible food, dress up and go to bed happier than the day wanted us to be. I'm trying to capture these moments."

3. LAUREN CLEMMET


"Two steps Forward One Step Backward, Two Steps Forward"

Her Overall Winning composed photograph caught my attention immediately I got into the Mall Galleries. It had a sort of mystery to it, seeing her at different stages of what was a recovery from Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I had a good discussion with her on the evening and she had this to say at the bottom of the painting-
"I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma 4 years ago when I was 18 years old. Art helped me deal with having cancer as well as coping with the emotions that I had pushed aside in order to get through the ordeal.
The title "two steps forward and one step back, two steps forward" is an indication of how time becomes measured according to fence posts such as "check ups". The "one step back" portion of the title refers to the centre image (2007)when at the time it was unsure whether the illness had returned, thankfully it hadn't. but it was still an emotional "set back" but the more recent 4th(2008) and especially 5th photos(2009)show a confidence through eye contact after years of shying away from people, no longer afraid to let people see who I am."


4. MAGGIE MILNE


"Barmaids-Addis Ababa"

Sorry the picture is poor, I haven't been able to master taking pictures with glass framing. This was a delight to behold. Her handling of these two ladies who I later learnt they where bar girls at risk of HIV or AIDs in Addis Ababa. What I loved so much about the piece was the way she kept the transparency of the watercolour washes on the skin luminous and it still had an opaque presence of a richer painting

5. STEVE YEATES


"The Prize"

Just loved this for the sheer visual delight of thinking this man reaching for the prize was hanging in space without any attachment. Checking out his website revealed more beautiful sculptures of which I found interesting.

6. CLAIRE DOWSON


"Excuse Me, Your Silver Lining's Showing"

Her sky painting had mood- almost real!!!I checked he website to see more and I conclude she is a master painter of skies!

7. KASIA ANDREWS


"Foetal"

She won the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Award. I got hooked on this one because I loved the way she handled the anatomy of the man depicted-almost had a real feel of drawing with paint-something I have been trying to achieve but haven't been able to.

8. GUY HADDON-GRANT


"I've options now"

Loved this piece just for the simple, straightforward handling of paint in a classical way. He won the award for a piece done by an artist in Education.

9. DAVID SANDELL


"Open Mind"(Self Portrait)

One of my best paintings of the night. It had great attention to detail and subtle colour shifts. David was first to notice me on the night, he said he met me on the Royal Institute of Oil Painters open Painting evening where he won the Overall Prize for the night. Click on his name above to see his finished portrait of Antonio Carluccio. He has also been featured in the International Artist Magazine where he was a finalist in one of their bi-monthly competitions.

Adebanji gets Review on Charley Parkers "Lines and Colors"

This is my 600th post and I am so surprised and I am still enraptured to get a review on Charley Parker's, " Lines and Colors".


Does Adebanji get a ticket for parking here...?

@ picture by Henry O'Tani


He has from a broad perspective analysed what he sees best, about what I do, take time to have a read by clicking HERE or copy and paste the link http://www.linesandcolors.com/2009/12/22/adebanji-alade/.

"Contemplation" (DSFDF Portrait Swap), 5" x 4.5", Graphite on paper, 2009

Stealing precious holiday time in Tokyo, I managed to get one of the smallest portraits I've done till date. I never planned to do it this small. I was just doing my normal ritual of trying out a thumbnail of how I plan to compose the main piece and then I got stuck on the thumbnail. I noticed I could do all I wanted to express about this beautiful lady(unknown to me at present)on this small scale! It was a good time saver too, because I kept on wondering how I was going to do it on holiday but the small scale meant I could finish faster and keep my commitment to the challenge!



This is my entry into Karin Jurick's Different Strokes from Different Folks end of year challenge. It was the time for Portrait swapping again and after last years deal with James Parker and his frogs- this time I was given a precious young lady. I love bringing mood into my drawings and her face though not filled with striking drama had the feel of contemplation or some sudden gaze that had gotten her attention. I did my best to bring this to life from the picture reference I was given, hope she likes it....Funny enough she'll be drawing or painting me too- A very healthy way to share art and build creative artistic bonds.

I have used a rotring visupencil 0.7 on the beautiful paper in "The Urban Travellers Sketchbook" by Hush

Sketches on the train and tube in December V

More people. These would be the last from London this year. If I'm going to sneak and sketch anyone else it would be at the airport or in Tokyo. I say sneak because this is supposed to be a break from Art but can we really have a break as artists......I doubt? I'll be off this evening for a Christmas break with my family to be back early January.




Wishing you all a great Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Sketches on the train and tube in December IV

Just for the love of sketching, it was a wonderful day just sketching, some people love observing, some offer compliments, some even asked me to sketch them! Now, it can't get better than that!

Sketches on the train, tube and bus in December III

More people, most sketched yesterday. Most are very brief with minimal use of line. While some involve a network of lines to build up form and tone.

Sketches on the train and tube in December II

The people I see and sketch from day to day continue to amaze me, the human face has endless phases- What you see is what you get. Someone used to say, "the more you look, the less you see"

Bath Experience VIII (shots on the site) Dec 1-3, 2009

These are 5 shots of the 5 different paintings I attempted in the cold at Bath from the 1st of December to the 3rd of December, last week. Hope to elaborate more on each, if time allows as I'm also preparing for a Christmas break with my family to Japan.


@photo by Femi Jaiyeola

..getting a clearer view around the Weir



@photo by Megan Kelland

Too cold for comfort at Queens Square




...frozen strokes at Kingsmead Square in the morning





..in the middle of the High Street




Right in the morning Rush Hour around the Station

Sketches on the bus and train in December I

Catching up...........I have been to Bath again, I was able to get five paintings done on location! The weather was not friendly(biting cold) but it was fun! One morning it was so cold my wrist went numb. Stay tuned with these sketches and I'll soon be posting my experiences at Bath.

Sketches on the train and tube in November IX

Eleven pages of sketches. I had to use these as I couldn't find my main sketchbook yesterday.

War Memorial, All Saints Church Belvedere, 8" x 12", Acrylic on Canvas board, 2009

Everyone wants to paint autumn scenes and I wasn't going to be left out. I have always noticed this lovely war memorial at All Saints Church, Belvedere, Kent and I always wanted to paint around this area. I like the old twisty trees and the faded rustic beauty of the church. So I decided to take this on this morning from around 9.30am to 12.30 in the afternoon. One of the ladies that works in the church even made me a warm cup of coffee after a few hours of standing in the cold!



I painted this scene with the new Winsor & Newton acrylics, they are of superb quality and they felt just like using oils. the colours are always vibrant and there aren't any colour shifts. I learnt a few lessons today- not to forget a palette knife; not to forget hand gloves in this weather; the cold doesn't kill; the more you stand working the better its gets but not without a cup of coffee; passers by offer great comments...






Below are some shots I took of the scene and set-up and some handy a passer-by took of me.

Sketches on the train and tube in November VIII

More sketches on public transport and watch out for the man in glasses(above), he was reading the papers all the way from London Bridge to Honor Oak Park on the Southern Trains.

Kezia in sleepmode IX, 9" x 8", Oil Base Pencil on Paper, 2009

This is another sketch of Kezia sleeping. She kept moving, so I gave up. Sometimes they enjoy changing gears in sleep too often!

Sketches on the train and bus in November VII

These were done yesterday and this morning. These images are a bit better. Scanner seems to be co-operating!

Sketches on the train and tube in November VI

Recent sketches during my travels, still battling with my scanner, had to use my camera, didn't work....

"...The Valley of The Shadow of Death.." 18" x 12", Mixed Media on Paper, 2009

This is my entry into this Karin Juricks Different Strokes from Different folks. The reference picture was very interesting and it had a lot of drama to it.




My interpretation of the challenge was a real challenge in itself. Not really a challenge to compose and paint, but because of the reason why I chose to depict the challenge this way. Last week I lost a gem. He was only 16! Now, that has blown me off a bit but I have tried my best to keep busy so I don't get into depressed thoughts. It has helped but once in a while I need a bit of comfort and the Holy Spirit has ministered in a calming way. I also discovered this SONG on youtube and it has been a blessing to me during this period. My heart goes out to his parents(they are like my parents, when I first came to London, with no where to stay, they accommodated me for 9 months, and I never knew them prior to this)and his siblings, this is a moving time for them but God has really been on their side.

First, I will talk a bit a about this piece which I have dedicated to Prince Onwubiko (1993-2009)He was a sweet guy, full of life and had a great spirit! He was an artist too and I have mentored him ever since I discovered he had a talent for art. Last year, he did his first work experience with me for 2 weeks at my studio. I never knew he'd be gone this soon. He died of a brain hemorrhage. Below are some pictures I took of him while he was learning a few things with me.







I have used this piece to remember him because he had a great flair for Fantasy Art and would have loved it so much. But on the other hand I am also using it to remind myself about the brevity of life and that WE SHALL ALL HAVE TO PASS THROUGH THE SHADOW OF THE VALLEY OF DEATH. It is my prayer that when we get there WE SHALL FEAR NO EVIL. Like the Psalmist said, he knew his God and declared THY ROD and THY STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME...." May we all be prepared for this moment which comes to both old and young, with no certain date of when it is going to happen. May we all prior to that moment, have made peace with God, by accepting His Son as our LORD and Saviour!

As seen in this painting, we are all warriors and throughout life we are going to have to fight and endure the journey of life with its ups and downs, sunshine and rain, healing and pain, and most of all that final moment when we have to pass through that lonely valley of the shadow of death.

more pictures of Prince

Sketch of Sylvia, Graphite on Paper(A2) 2009

Those of you who are current with my blog would remember the sketch I did of Dorothy. Through my friend Graham I got to met another wonderful elderly lady called Sylvia, she is going to be 102 this month!



Since I knew I was going to only have about an hour or so to complete this commission, immediately I met her I quickly shared pleasantries then started concentrating, sometimes this is funny because while we are talking I am drawing with my eyes, "feeling" the structure of her main features. I just love faces and hers was full of life and character! She had never been sketched before and didn't do many photos either, so this was a great opportunity to enjoy the sketching and also help her to have one that she'll keep, probably for many more years ahead. You might be wondering why I have said this, but this lady is so mobile and full of life, she moves so swiftly, she even took me and Graham for a fine lunch afterwards!



Sylvia (detail)



Talking about God renewing ones strength in old age- This was a crystal clear example! She really liked the sketch after I'd finished.




Below are some shots Graham took of me while in the spirit of sketching!

Bath Experience VII (Cleveland Place, oil on canvas, 60 x 30cm, 2009)

This scene is facing Cleveland Place across London Road is busy road, as commuters go in and out of Bath most on their way to work. The light, once more cuts across this main road and reveals a interesting depth of Georgian Buildings all sun lit too, these type of buildings a very common feature of Bath are just a beauty to behold, it sort of combines the ancient and modern in a world heritage city.

Bath ExperienceVI (Nelson's Place, Oil on Canvas, 60cm x 30cm, 2009)

This is another painting I have done of Bath. One of the things that pulled me into this scene was the raking light that cut across London Road, Bath, just before Nelson's Place. To me, this is drama! I love the effect of light, especially when its course is forced to squeeze through little openings. This is exactly what happened here and the wall on the right then reveals a sort of abstract painting due to the same effect.

Highlights from The ROI Open Painting Evening at the Mall Galleries

ADEBANJI AND ANTONIO

There's nothing like being in the midst of like minded people! But to be in the midst of painters all painting is the crescendo of art for me! That's one of the things that made me tick at Art College. It has been quite a while that I have had such an opportunity, so I was really looking forward to this years ROI Open Painting Evening!



EVERYONE IN THE SPIRIT



The highlight of this year was that one of the models we painted was to be Antonio Carluccio, The famous Italian chef and restaurateur. Most of us painters expected him to pose in a chef outfit but he turned up just like us. I asked him, "Why?" He simply said,"I am not a chef, I am a cook, the chef does it for the money as a profession, while the cook, cooks for the love of it!"



ADEBANJI'S PAINTING OF ANTONIO



I can't tell how many artists were present on the night but the place was packed with high spirits and inspiration! Just witnessing all the artists, both members and non-members "attacking" their canvasses with brush and paint was a simple delight to behold! Winsor and Newton were also present with their stand to give artists present some tips on colours, methods, materials and technical stuff. Lucky they were around as I went rushing to the stand when I ran out of Titanium White! Every participant got a lovely bag donated by Winsor and Newton on the night, I have kept mine as it was strong, sturdy and very handy.



ADEBANJI'S PROGRESS WHILE PAINTING




I am not going to bore you with too many words, as they normally say, "pictures speak louder than words". The pictures you'll see here are just a few shots I took while painting, of some scenes that were of interest to me!



ROGER DELLAR-IT'S A DELIGHT TO WATCH HIM GO FROM BIG SHAPES UNDEFINED TO SMALL DETAILS DEFINED.






RICHARD PRICE- HE WON LAST YEARS PRIZE, THE PAINTING IN THE EXHIBITION THIS YEAR. HERE YOU CAN SEE HIS SIMPLE SET UP WITH PAINTING. NOTICE THE SUBTLE COLOUR SHIFTS AND DELICATE TOUCHES.






NATALIA AVDEEVA- SHE WAS A PRIZE WINNER ON THE NIGHT, I LOVE HER CUBIC STROKE APPROACH.






LUIS MORRIS- GREAT TO SEE HIM PAINTING, HE STARTS FROM CAREFULLY PLACED SHAPES/BLOCKS OF COLOUR, THEN FROM NO WHERE YOU'LL BEGIN TO SEE HOW THE IMAGE UNFOLDS!






LUIS MORRIS- THIS IS HIS PALETTE - LOOK AT THOSE "JUICY" COLOUR MIXTURES






LUCY MCKIE- HER DETAILED APPROACH ALL STARTS OFF LIKE THIS. WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW HER WORK STARTS OFF! I REALLY LIKED HER PORTRAITS IN THE SHOW!






JUNE MENDOZA- A MASTER PORTRAIT PAINTER- JUST SEE HOW THE MODEL CAME TO LIFE JUST AFTER THE BREAK TIME!






JUNE MENDOZA- HERE IS HER PALETTE, CAN YOU GUESS THE NAMES OF THOSE COLOURS?






DENNIS SYRETT- HERE IS HIS PALETTE- I'M SURE THIS WILL END UP HIGHER THAN MOUNT EVEREST IN THE END!






DENNIS SYRETT- THIS IS HIM IN PROGRESS, WATCH OUT FOR THE STROKE PER STROKE APPLICATION, QUITE INTERESTING! DENNIS IS PAST PREDIDENT OF THE ROI.






CHRISTINE ELLIS(hope spelling is right)- SHE WON A PRIZE ON THE NIGHT, JUST LOVE HOW SHE CAPTURED DAVID CURTIS IN ACTION!


On a final note DAVID PLIGRIM one of the artists who exhibited in the show has some highlights of the painting night and show too. You can click HERE to see.

Sketches on the train and tube in November V

More sketches of people on the trains and tube. Some of the key elements to really get a resemblance can be intense observation and trusting your hands to put down exactly what your eyes see. I must say, for public transport sketches of people, each artist has to find a "personal shorthand" way of editing the vast information you see in faces and just highlight the essentials. Easier said than done. This is something I constantly struggle with!

Apologies for some of the poor images, I have been battling with my scanner of recent.

Sketches on the train and tube in November IV

More journeys for me recently means more sketches. One of the guys in these sketches (Asian) actually asked me to sketch him after he was entertained by watching me sketch the tall guy, sitting and reading in one of the sketches.

Interesting journeys!

Sketches at the Mall Galleries and the train in November III

I am back to sketching with my beloved graphite, it feels a bit strange after a long time but I'll gradually get back into the full hang of it before this current sketchbook runs out.
I did some warm up sketches before the evening of life painting started at the Mall Galleries at the just concluded ROI exhibitions and also some others as usual on the train.

Sketches on the train in Novemeber II

These are the last two pages of my current sketchbook. I'll be starting a new one today and it will be in graphite. I'm not too keen on graphite in sketchbooks because they become messy but they'll help me to experiment once more with the medium I love so much! If you want to see how I transformed the middle man (above)into colour with pastel, click HERE

Sketches on the train in November I -Happy 1st Birthday to Urban Sketchers!

More sketches of people. Keeping my eyes and hands focused in co-ordination training- I think one of the hardest things to do is to fight ones brain and actually sketch what one sees. There's never a comfortable ground in sketching!



I'm also using this opportunity to congratulate Urban Sketchers on their 1st Birthday this week.



Urban Sketchers has really been a great encouragement for me! Just looking at all those sketchers out there doing just one thing-SKETCHING-is incredible! Hope to see more and more of this fantastic group. Click HERE for my contributions so far to this dynamic group!

"Art Therapy"(self portrait) 24" x 24", Acrylic on Canvas, 2009

I have been doing a bit of research on Art Therapy recently and I have used myself as the model in this piece to depict the surge of hope and spark of life that Art Therapy can bring into an Individuals life. This individual may be finding it hard to cope with various negative symptoms and experiences in life, but all of a sudden the individual is able to recover, reconnect and get revived through creating art, self expression and a renewed sense of belief in ones self through creative means.



Most of the strokes in the dark areas of the background in this painting are the negative words and experiences that I personally struggle against, while the calligraphic strokes in the brighter areas are actually positive, motivational and inspirational words that have helped me remain focused in the most difficult times and experiences in my life.

For this whole piece I have used the new Winsor and Newton Acrylic on canvas. I developed this piece with a "sketchful" force and tried to keep that vitality throughout till the end.

Some young painters I loved at the ROI Exhibition 2009

As promised earlier this week I said I'll post some of the painters I loved in the Winsor and Newton Young Painters (Under 35) Artists Section at the ROI Exhibition 2009.

1. Yasunobu Shidami
He won the 1st prize in the Winsor and Newton Young Painters Section. He was a year ahead of me while at Heatherleys and he has set new standards and goals for himself since then. He had a masterful self portrait piled with rich thick paint, you'd just need to step back and squint at the piece to appreciate the facial structure and richness of the colour tones. This piece can be seen below in the picture that shows the cross section of the finalists in the Young Painters section.



2. Stephen Teeuw

I first got acquainted with him when we both qualified as wild card regional finalists in an ITV series called "Brush With Fame" in 2005. He uses a limited palette with very expressive strokes. What I love most about his work is the way he keeps the tones down to nothing more than two and works on the edges to unify them.



3. Natalia Avdeeva

Another Heatherley graduate, she had two paintings in the show and they were just a delight to behold. I don't have any images but she is an artist with a keen eye for colour harmony and composition.

4. Chris Jones

I love this piece, "Fathers and sons(fighting Pekins)" and I love it for the sheer drama, motion and imagination that went into the composing and execution of this finely rendered piece. I just discovered this artist in this exhibition.

5. Johnny Morant
His painting can be seen in the image under Eskov Pavel another painter in this post. It is a sort of rush hour scene of "Villiers Street". I love his work, it is fresh and dynamic. Discovered him in this show too.

6. Eskov Pavel

This painter from Russia won two awards with two wonderful winter paintings. I was talking to Olya who was around to receive the awards on Eskovs behalf and she can be seen below with one of the winning paintings "Museum of Art in St Petersburg". In both winning paintings he handled the scenes in the most masterful way. These can easily go wrong if the whites are not right. Another new discovery.



7. Maryam Foroozanfar

I first discovered her paintings in the BP Portrait award some years back. She is a fine "detailist" with the ability to handle very subtle colour shifts. I just love what she does with paint! Her piece " Bathroom " in the show was a melody of greyed yellows, just loved it!


8. David Pilgrim

A fellow blogger and an artist I got acquainted with in the ROI shows as he has been a regular for three or four years running. His piece below won an award in the show and if I wasn't mistaken, it was one of the first ten works to be sold in the show! I love the freshness of his plein air work and his ability to capture subtle changes in light.



9. Micheal Robson

Another discovery from this show. His work resonates with confidence! I asked him where he learnt to paint so confidently outdoors and he said he just has to work that way, as the weather sometimes keeps changing. He won the Phyllis Roberts' award of £2,000 donated to support and encourage young painters.



and Micheal snapped me with my painting too

"Industrial Synthesis" 15" x 9", Mixed Media on Paper, 2009

This is my entry into Karin Juricks DSFDF, The reference picture had roof tops and I didn't really find the whole picture interesting but a section of it.



So I decided to zoom into this area and make a statement with it. I just loved the various tonal values, the variety of shapes and diagonals, so I played around with them using charcoal, oil base pencils and white acrylic. I fixed the charcoal and Oil base pencil marks then worked over with some white acrylic touches.

Sketch of Sir Donald Sinden CBE at the ROI Opening, 2009

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters 122nd Annual Exhibition 2009 opened yesterday and it was a visual feast! I can't believe I arrived at the gallery around 2pm and ended up leaving around 6pm. That means I was walking around the gallery carefully looking at paintings for approx 3/4 hours. I haven't been feeling well recently and I have needed to slow down but I must say taking in paintings can be very refreshing for the body and soul. I left the gallery soaked with paintings, notes, mental notes and a good feeling. I'll be posting a few of my favourite painters/paintings in the show and also notes on a young lad I met yesterday who won The Phyllis Roberts Award of £2,000-it would be presented annually to encourage and support young painters.




One of the highlights of the day was the award giving ceremony and that's what this post is about. Sir Donald Sinden CBE gave out the awards and he was such a funny man, I couldn't but sketch him while he cracked jokes and made the ceremony a delight to behold!

Sketches on the train, tube and Bus Stop in October IV

More sketches on public transport and even a self portrait, from looking at my reflection the window on the train.

Kezia in sleep mode VIII, Oil Base Pencil, A3 Sketchbook, 2009

Another shot at Kezia in sleepmoode. This time I put her on the chair, as she is learning to sit and watch me paint but it seems she couldn't cope with the boredom and slipped off into sleep mode.



What do I do? Take her to bed, naaaaah.....Quickly grab a quick shot before laying her peacefully on the bed. It's all about ceasing the moment!

Kezia in sleepmode VII, A3 Sketchbook, Carbon Pencil, 2009

Capturing my little princess as she sleeps is not that easy especially when she falls asleep in my hands/shoulders. I decided to incorporate my face into these ones to add some contrast.



I have done these with a carbon pencil B and 2B on cartridge paper.

Winning "The Artist Magazine/Royal Institute of Oil Painters Competition" 2009

This is some good news I've had and will be having this month. This time it would be having the opportunity to exhibit with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters this year at the Mall Galleries, London.
The exhibition opens on the 28th of October, 2009 and will run till the 8th of November. If you are in London during that time, it will be worth viewing!



Summerlight, Clapham Common 24" x 18" Oil on Linen 2009


In Summer this year the advert came out in The Artist magazine for an oil painting to be submitted no larger than 36" x 24" for a winning place in ROI exhibition this year and for a mini profile in the November Issue of The Artist Magazine. I gave it a go and I really thank God, I WON! You can read about it in the November Issue of The Artists Magazine and also the interesting article of 100 years of the Royal Charter of the ROI and what to expect this year!

The painting I entered is called Summerlight, Clapham Common it was painted on a 24" x 18" Winsor & Newton linen Canvas and took me almost a week working on the figures from left to right, making sure each section was finished as I worked mainly focusing on the shapes, drawing and values. My mission was to make sure the figures retained a glowing play of summerlight on them and also that the whole piece showed a vibrant, lively, sketchy feel of the excitement and childlike drama that scenes like this invoke on our memories of childhood and those great times.



Painting showing left to right sequence and underpainting


I discovered I won the prize at the Mall Galleries, as there were 5 shortlisted candidates(James Willis, Rizwan Pradhan, Catherine Gow, James Hirst and Michael Robson) and also 5 judges namely, Dr Sally Bulgin(Editor The Artists Magazine), Peter Wileman (President of ROI), Ian Cryer (Vice President ROI), Dennis Syrett(Past President ROI) and Malcolm Allsop of Townhouse Films. We all came with our paintings and while judging was going on we got to preview the Threadneedle Figurative Prize exhibition which was still being set up. After a while we were called back and the judges said they had unanimously decided that my painting won! All other shortlisted candidates agreed too!



The whole set up in my studio including reference picture/palette.

More pictures during presentation(below)



Judges, shortlisted candidates and winning painting




Dr Sally Bulgin (Editor, The Artist Magazine), Peter Wileman (President, ROI) and Adebanji

African Headgear III, 16" x 20", Oil Base Pencil/Charcoal Dust

This makes number 3 in my current Afro Headgear series.



The model here is my great friend Esta who I have used many times in my Afro Series too.

I have used Charcoal dust for the broad tones and Compressed Charcoal for the darker tones. Then I used Oil base pencils for the details and lines on Norfolk Cartridge paper.

Sketches on the train, tube and home in October III

More sketches of people. I also managed to get in Josh and Kezia into one of them (above) morning!

"The 22nd Anniversary", 24" x 20", Oil Base Pencil, 2009

This is another commission completed and delivered with the client pleased. The clients were their children and they gave it as a gift to their parents!



I have used medium, soft and extra soft oil base pencils on a smooth artistico fabriano watercolour paper. I really liked the smooth absorbent texture of the paper and the way the oil base pencil marks appear on the paper.

Sketches on the bus and train in October II

Just one page spread from last week!

Bath Experience V (Winning the Future Bath Plus Plein air Award)

My experience at Bath continues with the Private view of the 154 paintings at The Octagon, Milsom Place . I got there to find out that one of my paintings were missing from the main display walls, it was only when the awards were being called out that I found out I had won the Future Bath Plus Plein air award! Now that really made me feel great! Once in a while these things happen they serve as great motivators! I really thank God for the opportunity! This was the first painting I did in Bath! The experience of painting this piece wasn't that straightforward either!



Around Theatre Royal before the rain, Acrylic on panel, 40cm x 20cm, 2009 SOLD



I arrived in Bath, after a three hour journey on the Coach from London-Victoria, not knowing where to go because this was my first time in the city, but I had a handy map and located the gallery where I needed to get the place allocated to me. The lady at the reception told me my place was The Theatre Royal. She showed me how to get there and wished me well. The only sad thing on this day was there was no dramatic light in the air, it was a typical British grey day and there were even signs of rain in the air! But I kept a positive attitude, got to the venue and started looking for where to position myself. Finally I got a place of refuge from the oncoming showers and I got everything out only to find my easel had loose nuts and bolts, and to make it worse they were missing! So I had to abandon painting for the moment and begin shop searching. After a few miss hits, wrong turns and not listening well to the directions given, I finally got to a nice hardware shop and the man was terrific, he really helped me find all I needed and now I could go back to the scene and paint! I was so lucky to pack light, because if not, by now I was already feeling exhausted!



Picture of the scene


At the scene, the action started! I painted for the next 3-4 hours just trying my best to fine tune my painting, fighting the changing weather, hunger and trying to answer too many questions asked by people passing by. I used Acrylics, the New Winsor & Newton acrylics and they were a delight! The work was done on a Masonite panel I primed myself with gesso and a grey acrylic mix.



My palette, painting and general set up



Enough said! The pictures will tell the rest of the story!





Adebanji with The Mayor of Bath




My winning painting with the lucky RED DOT!





Serious Business, painting in progress





Adebanji with Bonnie Helen Hawkins and Richard Hall, Director of Future Bath Plus

Bath Experience IV, 2009

This is another post on my experience in Bath. This scene actually caught my attention on the morning I was about to leave Bath. Before this encounter I had made up my mind on what scenes I was going to paint BUT then came the morning...........I was walking up to Queens Square and Lo and Behold! A beautiful shade caused by the morning sunlight hit against the lofty trees around Queen's Square and the effect of this shadow created a wonderful warm/cool shadow on the adjacent building of Bath Academy. Wow!!! I must have been heard by a few passers by, but they must have been thinking... has he lost it or what is the wow factor about? But, only me, my camera and the scene understood the mystery that would captivate me till I got back to London to paint this scene!



SOLD


I tried my best to recall all the feelings, sights, drama and mood of this place back in my studio but sometimes it can never be the same. Even an Alla Prima painting on the spot may not be able to justify my quest! But nevertheless I did what I could in oil on canvas 60cm x 30cm. You can see results in the painting above.

This was the second painting I put into The Bath Prize. Stay tuned for the post on my winning painting in the Plein Air Category- It was done just before the rains broke out......................could a grey scene have anything to write home about?

Bath Experience III, 2009

This is another entry on my experience at Bath. I produced this painting after enjoying a good long walk just taking loads of pictures of the beautiful City of Bath at night.



For this painting, it was the Abbey and it just had a beautiful glow at night, even my little camera I had in hand couldn't give the feel and majestic presence this sight manifested. I tried my best to capture that feel on canvas with paint and the painting shows my struggles to interpret it to the best of my ability. This was done in oil on canvas, 40cm x 40cm.

This painting is one of the 3 works I submitted into The Bath Prize, a rather unique competition that encouraged artists to paint different scenes of Bath. I won the prestigious Bath Future Plus Prize for the Best Plein Air painting, I'll be posting on that later this week. So stay tuned! If you are in the City of Bath, you can view the exhibition of the all 153 works at the Octagon, Milsom Place, Bath

Sketches on the train, bus station and coach in October I

More people!!! I couldn't resist sketching the old man above on the left. He had the dream features for an addictive sketcher!

Daniel, 30" x 30", Oil on Linen, 2009

This is a recent commission I have finished, with the client pleased and the work delivered!



I have worked with oil in a technique that employs glazing, starting from thin oil layers to heavy layers but still keeping the transparency.




Below are some detailed shots

Sketches on the train and Bus Stop in September VII

More sketches even a dog!

Sketches on the tube and train in September VI

I had a nice time chatting to the man in the sketch below on the left. He was quite impressed with the sketch and gave me a seriously interesting interview about my sketch life! I also grabbed a few shots of my daughter, Kezia in the buggie


!

Sketches on the train, tube and bus in September V

Back to the sketches again! More people sketched!

AFRO HEADGEAR II, 12" x 16", Mixed Media on Pastel Paper, 2009

This is makes number 2 in my current series of African Headgears.



I'm exploring this series from all angles and will use all forms of media to get my message across, even wax and possibly clay.

For this piece, I had as my model a lovely lady I met at a friends wedding. She naturally took this pose and that was it!




I have used charcoal dust, ink washes, acrylic washes, white ink and oil base pencil to produce this piece on a slightly warm grey pastel paper.