Blackbird miniature painting

'Blackbirds in the Clematis' © Tracy Hall 2009

2" x 3.5" Watercolour on board (enlarged)

I think I may have this one finished, but will wander past it for a week or so to see if anything jumps out. Since I started it the clematis is now fully in bloom and even if the blackbird had been sitting on her nest in that spot there would be no chance of seeing her now!

Here is a new design for a card company as well - sheepdog trails this time. This one is 10" x 14", watercolour on Arches.

Magnifying Glasses - I've had an email recently about the what I use for the miniatures, and I thought other people might wonder as well. Firstly, it's worth mentioning that not all miniature artists use one. My eyesight isn't that good though and I like to use it especially for the fine details.

There are all sorts available but I always come back to a simple hand held one (which you can see left). I'm not sure of the magnification (if it ever said it has long since worn off) but its not that strong - this is a basic and cheap magnifying glass bought locally, its nothing fancy. I have some other, supposedly better, ones but this is my favourite.

Ask another artist and you'll get a different answer of course, its very much a case of what suits you, but I hope that helps. I also use a pair of reading glasses.

The Hilliard Society International Miniature Art Exhibition

Miniatures currently on display at the Hilliard Society Exhibition

This time last year the Hilliard Society show in Wells was the first I had ever entered with my newly discovered passion for miniature art and also the first I attended. It was very exciting to actually get to see the work of other miniature artists in person. I'm delighted that my entries were selected again this time, just a bit annoyed I can't go! But if you are able to visit the exhibition it will be an absolute treat. I believe there is also a display of Russian lacquer boxes in addition to hundreds of tiny paintings and sculptures. I was very happy to be awarded signature membership this year as well.

Wells is beautiful - the smallest city in England with a stunning cathederal (and an amazing 14th century astronomical clock inside! You have to see the jousting knights who chase eachother around it every fifteen minutes). The nearby Bishops Palace is surrounded by a moat and the resident swans have been trained to ring a bell for food...

...and its close to Longleat Safari Park as well :)

The Exhibition opens on Saturday at 2.30pm and runs until June 7th. It is open every day 10am - 5pm.

Blackbirds, bees and blues

This is my latest miniature in progress. The male blackbird is pretty well finished and I'm just blocking in the foliage for the clematis, no detail yet. After spending ages drawing it out very carefully I was then utterly confused so had to fill in the negative spaces so I could find the leaves again. It will be 3.25" x 2" and that's a 10/0 brush I'm holding.

But its very hard to stay indoors when the sun has been shining outside. The bluebells are looking wonderful now, carpeting the garden in the most beautiful blues (and occasional pinks) and the bumble bees have been busy enjoying the perennial cornflowers in their droves.

I was trying to figure out what kind they are (apparently there are 24 species left in the UK?) and found this wonderful organisation The Bumblebee Conservation Trust which has an excellent website. You can also notify them of any you see to help with their distribution maps. Bee ID is a bit trickier than it seems though (and way too interesting) so I'm going back when I have a little more time!

Update: a close up of the bluebells for judy :)

Parrot tulip, hens and collies

Parrot Tulip © Tracy Hall 2009 11" x 14"

Watercolour on Two Rivers paper.

Parrot tulips are gorgeous; the colours almost defy you to paint them. I really like Two Rivers paper, for flowers in particular it is very hard to beat. I would use it more than I do if they did it in a block format for lazy artists like me who hate stretching (this one didn't need it though). Great paper anyway. Plus two new small paintings for a greeting card company:

Golden Pheasant miniature painting

Golden Pheasant © Tracy Hall 2009

2.25" x 3.25" watercolour on rag board

One of our neighbours keeps a variety of pheasants in large aviaries in his garden, including the amazing looking goldens. They are very speedy and nervy birds, so its no wonder they are apparently hard to observe in the wild. (Mind you, with those colours perhaps its hardly surprising). I wanted to do a miniature of them and thought I would put them in a woodland setting which is what they prefer - but have had a terrible time trying to get the colours to scan correctly for some reason. This is definitely one that looks much better in real life! Its the best I can do for now, will try again another day. (Update: tried again, hopefully this is better. Also added the penny for scale - a new 'ghost' penny, thanks to an idea from fellow miniaturist Barbara Freeman!)

Also Artists & Illustrators Magazine contacted me a little while ago to use one of my paintings for their Flowers and Gardens feature in the June edition, which arrived the other day. Its certainly a nice big picture and lovely to be asked!