Paint of a different colour

While my white pantry could use another coat of paint, work took it out of me today so I turned to a painting with a bit more colour.

Drawing outline in waterproof ink

This drawing was part of an exercise for Sketchbook Skool. Our tutor had us go outside so what better place for me than the roof of the building I work in. It has panoramic views of Auckland City, the harbour and is brilliantly sunny on a cloudless day.

I love a good strong shadow.

Sometimes when we can, we go upstairs to sit on the deck to eat lunch or just soak up some rays. We're pretty lucky to have such a lovely place in such an (otherwise) grotty building. When I draw people - which I don't do as often as I could to get better at it - I especially love backlighting and foreshortening. Catherine's long legs and her back to the sun qualified for my drawing preferences; along with the amazing backdrop of buildings and railings, I thought this scene looked great.

Swimming watercolour pigment across the paper

Takeout because whiteout

I would be terrible on The Block NZ - two days of painting and I'm over it!

White pantry shelves against white wall

But it's looking better and worth the effort. Fresh paint is making everything else look flipping filthy though.

Before and after - pantry improvements  

And at the end of the weekend we're on track

The kitchen is closed

My idea to spend this morning tidying my pantry ended up with a whole day of paint prep and undercoating.

After pulling everything out of the pantry the old saying "in for a penny; in for a pound" kicked in and I decided to paint the whole cupboard.

Then I realised a whole wall could be cleaned and updated so just kept on painting.

Looks like tomorrow will be more of the same with a couple of topcoats.