TONY ALLAIN: colour and light

Study for Bosham Light

2012-02-17T14:47:00.002+13:00

Boat Builders

2012-02-14T19:03:00.000+13:00

'Beneath The Bridge, Sydney Harbour'

2012-02-10T16:03:00.000+13:00

Well here is a change, I've decided it was time to dust down my oils and brushes and see if I can still perform!!

2012-02-04T08:43:00.002+13:00

I am trying a different way of presenting my small pastels, using a floating matt over a black base. I will continue with my simple hand finished 'lime waxed' pine framing. What do you think?

Marina

2012-01-08T16:51:00.002+13:00

Gallery Goers'

2012-01-01T19:53:00.003+13:00

Available from my studio click 'Eight by Six' for details

Venice from Murano

2011-12-29T22:31:00.004+13:00

Available from my studio click 'Eight by Six' for details

Golden Sunset

2011-12-26T19:05:00.003+13:00

Available from my studio click 'Eight by Six' for details

The Tram

2011-12-21T07:55:00.003+13:00

Available from my studio click 'Eight by Six' for details

Evening Race.

2011-12-20T15:50:00.003+13:00

Availasble from my studio click 'Eight by Six' for details

HELP!!

2011-12-19T19:17:00.000+13:00

Please can anyone help me. Being not very computer literate, but not bad at painting!
If someone wants to subscribe to my posts how on earth do I go about putting a 'Gadget' on for them to easily subscribe to? It all sounds very technical. If anybody knows the answer I would appreciate if it was put in plain 'Idiot Proof' language, for this Idiot!!

Blank Canvas!

2011-12-18T19:36:00.001+13:00

Available from my studio, click 'Eight by Six' for details

Port Nelson, Dusk

2011-12-18T08:48:00.001+13:00

Available from my studio click 'Eight by Six' for details

Evening Light, Venice

2011-12-16T18:44:00.001+13:00

Available from my studio click 'Eight by Six' for details

new colour

2011-12-15T20:36:00.000+13:00

I was getting a tired of looking at my old colour scheme. I think it was a bit 'harsh' on the eyes

Flagstaff Gallery interview for New York Exhibition

2011-12-11T17:00:00.001+13:00

Thought you may like to see and hear me talking about the comming exhibition I will be a part of next year at the Agora Gallery in New York. If you are in the area of Chelsea do pop in and see the show. I hope to be there on opening night!!

workshop 2

2011-12-11T10:26:00.000+13:00

Here the 'girls' look like they are in the 'Naughty Corner'

Workshop

2011-12-11T10:23:00.000+13:00

One of the students busy in my studio working on sketches at the Scholarship Workshop She had won. It was an intense four day session covering many aspects of pastel work. I usually get my students to work their sketches on 'sugar paper' first before committing to themselves to their chosen support. Here Marian is working on her composition for a landscape.

Art Lover

2011-11-08T07:34:00.001+13:00

The Lady in the Pashmina

2011-11-04T08:25:00.000+13:00

Triptych, (detail of all three)

2011-10-31T11:07:00.000+13:00

Triptych

2011-10-29T16:27:00.000+13:00

Float mounted onto matt board, each painitng measures 9" x 6"

Fish Market

2011-10-29T12:37:00.001+13:00

Preview Night 2

2011-10-28T15:01:00.000+13:00

Preview Night

2011-10-27T17:05:00.000+13:00

'Red Fish Boxes'

2011-10-25T07:39:00.000+13:00

Another 'fisherman's tale'

San Marco: thumbnail

2011-10-22T08:49:00.000+13:00

Three stages of concieving, executing and completeing a painting of Venice.

This thumbnail was done on location in Venice. It measures no more than 3" x 3". It is very easy to fill a sketch book in no time at all, especially in Venice

San Marco: colour sketch

2011-10-22T08:43:00.000+13:00

This sketch was done on sugar paper with charcoal and a little touch of pastel, a good and inexpensive way to sort out any potential problems before committing yourself to a good quality support. The sketch measures about three quarters the size of the completed painting

San Marco: finished piece

2011-10-22T08:38:00.000+13:00

The Fisherman

2011-10-21T16:21:00.001+13:00

Sketch for The Fisherman

2011-10-21T16:19:00.000+13:00

I thought you may like to see some of my sketches before turning them into 'grown up' paintings. This sketch was done using charcoal and soft pastel on very cheap sugar paper. I think I will frame them and keep them for myself

'Glenorchy', NZ

2011-10-17T08:48:00.001+13:00

Golden Light

2011-10-13T08:06:00.001+13:00

'Red is in the Lead'

2011-10-12T17:13:00.001+13:00

Dead Wood 2

2011-10-11T18:48:00.001+13:00

Dappled Light

2011-10-09T18:05:00.000+13:00

A couple of pieces I did yesterday. You may not be able to see clearly but the sky is rendered in a beautiful creamy coloured pastel. Shame it looks a little white. These will go towards the other 12 I have to paint for the Xmas show in Wellington! YES Christmas, it's not far away.

Dead Wood

2011-10-09T18:01:00.000+13:00

The Girl in the Pencil Skirt

2011-10-04T20:52:00.000+13:00

This will be No. 2 for New York

Nelson Harbour Yachts

2011-09-27T14:46:00.001+13:00

Nelson Yacht Club

2011-09-27T14:45:00.000+13:00

Getting ready for the Xmas Show in Wellington, yes I know it sounds crazy, but it's only a few months away. I have decided to do four seascapes, four landscapes and four figurative pieces for the exhibition all this size.

8.59am

2011-09-14T18:11:00.000+12:00

This piece will be on it's way to an exhibition in New York early next year.
I painted this piece on a fullsize Colourfix Board, I think the colour code is Elephant

Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall

2011-07-14T08:48:00.001+12:00

From Murano, Venice

2011-07-08T22:10:00.001+12:00

San Giorgio, Venice

2011-07-08T22:09:00.001+12:00

Silver Light, Venice

2011-07-08T22:07:00.001+12:00

San Marco, Venice

2011-07-08T22:06:00.000+12:00

I have not posted for a few days as I have been preparing for my next show.
So here goes!! several posts' of Venice from a recent trip.

Canterbury Winter

2011-06-09T13:50:00.001+12:00

The Three Sisters

2011-06-02T16:45:00.000+12:00

Evening Shadows

2011-06-01T18:37:00.000+12:00

Mervyn and Di go out for a walk in their brand new Coats!

2011-05-25T08:48:00.000+12:00

Plein Air! Plein Air!

2011-05-25T08:42:00.000+12:00

untitled, detail

2011-05-22T14:39:00.001+12:00

Deadliest Catch 2

2011-05-16T10:20:00.001+12:00

Painting number two for the show

Deadliest Catch 1

2011-05-15T14:04:00.000+12:00

Number one for my latest exhibition in Auckland in August

2011-05-15T13:58:00.000+12:00

I know it's been some time since my last post, the reason for this is, I have had to return to to my place of birth to see my Mother before she passed away. Thankfully after 42 hours in transit from New Zealand I arrived at her bedside just a day before she passed on.
It has taken me a bit of time to gather my thoughts and get back to the easel.

Exhibition Invite

2011-04-03T14:45:00.000+12:00

To see my latest collection showing at Exhibitions Gallery starts Thursday 7th April

West Coast

2011-04-03T14:39:00.001+12:00

Guyton's Fish Mongers

2011-03-25T23:31:00.001+13:00

Bells

2011-03-22T11:56:00.000+13:00

This is a portrait of Bells by Glenys Forbes, pastel artist from South Island, NZ.
Glenys won Peoples Choice Award with this great work of art at the 'Top of The South' pastel exhibition held in a town called Mapua. She is the "Chief Honcho" of the Pastel Artists of New Zealand in the Sth. Island. What do you think?

Yellow Scarf

2011-03-18T19:24:00.001+13:00

Red Ribbons

2011-03-14T10:55:00.001+13:00

sold

Opera House

2011-03-12T12:49:00.001+13:00

Melbourne Rain

2011-03-11T16:10:00.001+13:00

sold

Sundowners

2011-03-08T17:57:00.001+13:00

sold

City Light

2011-03-06T17:02:00.000+13:00

National Gallery #?

2011-03-05T10:38:00.000+13:00

sold
Still working on the many sketches from inside the National Gallery of Victoria, can't seem to get them out of my system yet!

Arrowtown, Sth Island, NZ

2011-02-17T16:57:00.001+13:00

Mt. Hutt, South Island

2011-02-07T19:48:00.001+13:00

sold

2011-02-04T11:33:00.000+13:00

Here is Cass at her 'selling station'

Exhibition: 'From behind the Easel'

2011-02-04T11:26:00.000+13:00

The first batches of pics before the opening night of my exhibition, 'From Behind the Easel'

McKinney's Yard

2011-01-15T12:54:00.000+13:00

sold
This will make the last painiting for my exhibition for Feb 1st here in Nelson, NZ

Mt. Dome, Arthur's Pass

2011-01-06T20:18:00.000+13:00

sold #23

The Red Painting

2011-01-05T18:21:00.000+13:00

sold

High & Dry

2011-01-04T16:05:00.000+13:00

I'm back in the land of paint, after trying to eat my way through tonnes of food and swimming in club measures of wine etc. This piece makes number 21, towards the 25 paintings for my small 'solo show' here in Nelson starting Feb 1. It's good to be out and about, the weather is perfect for early morning plein air work.
Will post some more works as they come off the easel.

Happy New Year

Happy Xmas etc. etc

2010-12-22T14:37:00.000+13:00

The silly season is upon us and I will take a break from painting for a couple of weeks. All my work is up to date and exhibitions have been painted. Amongst these little people lies the face of my grandson Lewis taken at his pre school party.

All thats left for this year is to wish all my friends and followers Seasons Greeting and get myself to the off- liecence and stock up on some fizz. Happy Blogging.

NGV #5

2010-12-20T22:25:00.001+13:00

Another view inside thr National Gallery of Victoria, NSW Sold

Waiter

2010-12-18T17:53:00.000+13:00

A bit of fun. For my 'show' here in Nelson in Feb 2011

Morning Light

2010-12-16T16:05:00.001+13:00

Floating Crane: Venice

2010-12-14T20:01:00.000+13:00

SOLD
This was done on one of my many trips to Venice. An artist friend has a studio there, and let me have the use.

Denis Robinsons's book

2010-12-12T21:11:00.000+13:00

Thought you might like to see this book that features a couple of pieces of my work
click here to view the book. I think it's out of print at the moment

Morning Shower

2010-12-09T17:35:00.000+13:00

'Now for something different'
sold

There will now be a short intermission

2010-12-07T10:17:00.000+13:00

I am waiting for my order of pastel paper to arrive. Apparently there is not a single piece of pastel paper left in the country. So here is a photo of my studio/gallery on one of it's cleaner days. Suppose it is better than staring at a blank wall. I have been waiting nearly 4 weeks for my order, and I'm champing at the bit.

le Marche: detail

2010-12-05T09:03:00.000+13:00

Summer Flowers

2010-11-30T18:44:00.001+13:00

This will be one of several pieces in the Christmas Exhibition at the Mansfield Gallery here in Nelson, NZ

Marina

2010-11-28T18:47:00.001+13:00

Rooftops over Wellington Harbour

2010-11-22T22:28:00.001+13:00

SOLD

Over the shoulder

2010-11-18T19:05:00.001+13:00

Sold

Middlemarch, Evening sun

2010-11-17T15:06:00.000+13:00

Well this is the final painting. My previous, the rough sketch was not quite right so I decided to trim it down quite a bit by cutting off the sky and tighten up the drawing. I prefer the high horizon line, what say you?

Rough sketch, Middlemarch

2010-11-16T17:37:00.000+13:00

This is a rough sketch for my next limited edition print. I am working out colours and composition before commiting myself to the finished piece. This is not my normal way of working, but as this will be a print I think everything needs to be just right before it goes off to the photographer. I will certainly work on the forground trees and a bit more on the sky. Maybe the shearing sheds need a bit more interest.

The Inner Harbour, Penzance, Cornwall

2010-11-15T17:19:00.000+13:00

This piece and the previous posts' has got to be at least 7-10 years old. I haven't a clue who's wall this one hangs on. I hope it is still alive and well.
SOLD

Grand Canal, Venice

2010-11-15T10:55:00.001+13:00

SOLD

River Thames, London

2010-11-14T15:42:00.000+13:00

SOLD

Quadryptych: 4 pastels

2010-11-13T11:53:00.000+13:00

SOLD

Is there such a word as a 'quadryptych' I don't know! but each little painting is only 6" x 8". This piece was framed as one big painting, each picture was float mounted and then one single mount was used to 'frame' all.
Sounds complicated, but I will let you try and work it out

Oillies 2

2010-11-11T17:15:00.001+13:00

SOLD

Tasman Bay Sunset

2010-11-10T15:19:00.001+13:00

SOLD

Still Life 5 min' Demo

2010-11-09T17:33:00.001+13:00

SOLD

Found some images from the workshops I did in Australia in April, only seems like yesterday. I thought this would make an interesting post. This was a quick 5 min demo looking at only shapes, shadows and colour.

Might do a bigger version of this one!

Art Lovers

2010-11-08T22:16:00.000+13:00

SOLD

Stage 1

2010-11-07T15:43:00.001+13:00

thought you might like to see a step-by-step demo of the Lobster Boat 2 painting. To make a 36in x 24in format I taped (speical achival tape) two sheets of Canson Mi-Tientes Light Brown pastel paper together. Then lightly sketched out a few guide lines with a white pastel pencil. Using charcoal and light touches I started to block in my darks

Stage 2

2010-11-07T15:42:00.001+13:00

I continued to 'draw' in and place the darks in roughly the correct position. I smudged the charcoal with the palm of my hand so as to make it less harsh. Always stepping several feet back from the painting after every mark to check perspective and composition.

Stage 3

2010-11-07T15:41:00.001+13:00

Once happy with the layout, it is fun time. starting with my darkest colours I quickly rough in the shadow side of the main boat and the dock, using Unison Red17 and Blue/Violet5. The secret here, is to keep the work loose and not to use to much pressure. Time once again to step 10 feet back and squint with the eyes!. Squniting gets rid of all unwanted detail and allow you to see only shapes of light and dark. "So far so good "