Poor Care

I have just watched the most horrific Panorama special program.  It concentrated on a mental health care home, Winterbrook, showing not only the lack of humane care but the brutality and sickening abuse that the patients are put through.  It was all secretly filmed and the reality of the abuse was for me nothing but sickening.  Seriously.  I wanted to turn the channel because it upset me so much, but at the same time I was gobsmacked that this sort of thing could go on, and I was hoping for a happy conclusion.  As a previous mental health nurse I had never seen such abuse.  Granted I'd met lazy staff but none that would restrain a patient for the sake of it because they were annoying them.  Pulling patients out of bed, grabbing of hair, abused, forced it was all on this program to see.  It wasn't just one staff member it was a great deal of them and the senior staff just turned a blind eye.

Does this thing really go on everywhere?  I seriously hope not.  They are patients in care, not there to be tortured punished, just for fun(!).  In all 13 members of staff were suspended and a police investigation is under way.  I hope they all get prison sentences. I hope they all get long prison sentences and get a taste of their own medicine from fellow inmates.  That's probably just an angry reaction to what I saw, but sometimes justice is knowing just what its like to be in their shoes.

Did anyone else see it?

Nearly There!!

Oh I have done a bit more artwork so here it is.  Was going to keep it a secret but I've decided to let you all see.  Not long till I put it on CGHUB to get it critqued.

So what do you think? Loved to know your thoughts :)

Sorry!!

Oh my god has it been a week already? Blimey where did that time go?  It probably hasn't helped that last time I tried adding a post my blog site failed and I couldn't log back on!!  So what have been up to.  Well I got to watch the Halfords Tour in Durham last Tuesday with Helen which was great.  Strange watching pros suffer so badly.......much like I do when I used to race!! Got some great photos as well.

Had a treat this weekend though.  The children went to stay at their grandmas so Helen and I got to have a free evening to ourselves. Think its been the first time in about two years. Yikes!  We had a good night at the cinema and watched the new Pirates of the Caribbean film which was great stuff.  I love cinemas, just a shame I get to go so rarely.  Think its the lure of a large box of popcorn that does it :)  we went for a meal afterwards which was okay, even if Helen's starter was a bit of a disaster.  How hard is it to melt cheese in breadcrumbs?  Apparently very hard!

Do you know what the best part was though?  Waking up at nine o'clock,  not the usual early hours threatened by my children.  Missed them though, life just isn't the same without them.

My Weekend

Well It's Monday and I'm suffering from what can only be described as cyclists hangover. Ah, but wait. I've not told you my real passion in life have I? Mountain biking, road biking.....I've been in love with it for half my life and cannot see that changing. There was a time I lived, worked and breathed them. Ok, now that I work as a librarian I don't spend my time working with bikes but enjoy my own. I often commute to work, only twelve miles, but it keeps my legs going.

So what did I do yesterday? Well yesterday I took my mountain bike up with a couple of friends to beautiful Scotland. Glentress to be exact. It rained, it was windy at times and not always warm. It didn't put us off though and nor did it put off many others. You see it offers some great climbs, if too many, but fantastic desents. The best in this country. You can't but smile and for five hours nothing else matters. Ok I'll avoid going all religious on you but its just a great feeling.

The next day, however, is one where I suffer for all my efforts! I ache from head to toe. It is as always worth it though.

Most of the other time I spent with my family. My wife Helen and my son Jake and Daughter Erin. Think all in all a perfect weekend. Happy days

Hope lifes good for you :)

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Spot The Difference!

Well I've done lots of little adjustments but they've been mainly to shadows and highlights.  I adjusted his diamond on the badge as it was a bit wonky! Just been concentrating on his necklace but am undecided about the silver edging. Anyhow, I'm happy with how it looks overall. Going to get right side of picture sorted including his unfinished arm, shoulder and chainsword.  Hopefully be back with a picture and update soon!!

A light At The End Of The Tunnel

Well I went ahead and cropped the picture.  Result, a nearer completed picture.  This has made me feel so much better about it.  Although I loved the picture and pose before cropping I was just getting too bogged down with the detail.  Now it feels like I'm closer to completion rather than under half way. Happy :).  So heres a tip for any beginners........don't try doing too much or be too complicated with your projects.  You'll only loose heart if progress is slow.  Now I just need tips on patterns of silver and gold!

Professional In Action

I liked this video.  Not just because I like Daves artwork, but also it shows the process of how he goes from a blank canvass to to a great piece of work in just an hour and a half!  Its speeded up so you're not sitting there that long.  It probably proves that I spend too long on my artwork and would probably have more motivation if i loosened up my style. I often wonder if other artists look at this in the same wonder, and think I can do that, then have ago only to find out.....actually they can't!  At school I never remember looking at peoples work and thinking 'I wish I could paint like that'.  I produced my own stuff and was happy with that.  The more I look at others blogs at peoples different styles the more I question my own abilities. Am I just embaracing myself showing my lack of abilities.  Then I suppose I should stop myself with that kind of thinking.  This is not a competition.  I'm not attempting to get a job in the art industry (although that would be amazing).  I'm just drawing because I love drawing.  I just hope there are some people out there who will like them too.  If there are........please give me the encouragement to keep going.

To Crop Or Not To Crop?

Morning Bloggers! Well last night was spent painting and watching the eurovision song contest. Not sure why we bother to be honest. If a big band like blue can only finish mid table then we should call it a day. Still Graham Norton did us proud with his quick quips and put downs.

Picture doing ok but I really want it finished so I can move on. Thinking of cropping it some more. Should help with the composition a bit more as well as giving me less to paint. What do you think?

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Arrrrgggghhhh

Blog not saved my changes from a few days ago!!!!  Took me ages too.  I'd done my own background.  Filled my new artist page with pictures, and started my tips page.  I'm not impressed.  I'll have to do it again now :(

Spare Time

Well after a day working at my library, I now have a quiet evening to look forward to.  My Wife is out at her sisters to watch the Eurovision of all things, and so with the kids going to bed soon that leaves a free evening for me.  Think I will try and get some more of my picture done.  I feel I have a surprising amount of energy left considering my ride on my bike last night and a day of work.  Hopefully won't be found slumped and fast asleep on my laptop!

You Tube Goodies

It's only just come to my attention that there is a wealth of tips and information regarding drawing digitally. I was watching a few by Dave Rapoza last night. Although not the most animated of talkers its amazing to watch the process he uses to develop his pieces. He can do fantastic work in just two hours. Something that would take me days. For my next piece I shall be embracing his style and trying it out myself.

Anyway, I have to get on my bike now, cycle 6 miles to my library where I work. When I finish I'm then meant to be going out riding with one of my mates. Think i'll be tired tonight!

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A Background Makes All The Difference

Good evening people.  Well here it is, another progress report and as you can see quite a bit has changed!  Primarily the background has been done.  I've done this by starting in a black shade and gradually adding layers of colour in subtle tone and colour changes.  Its added a more dramatic lighting to the picture and gives a good sense of mood.  I'm now applying more exaggerated lighting and shading to match the light of the background.  Its taking a lot of patience blending in the colours, a technique I'll be demonstrating in a tutorial for beginners soon.  I've added detail to the chest, although his necklace needs to be done.  Currently working on the sword, but after spending a few hours on this already its time to call it a day.

Till next time :)

Influences

Here is an artist who i've looked at and marvelled over for a few years.  There is no doubt that he has had influence over my work or even the way I generally draw.  There is just so much quality stuff in his portfolio.  Any how, my own work moved on a pace last night with the top half getting close to be doing.  The chest was always going to be a problem as i lost my original base layer so had to start again.  However, I prevailed.......well more or less.  I can often be very critical of my own work so itll probably be tweaked many more times till I'm close to happy.  Actually to help with my lighting and directon (such an important part) I'm now doing the background.  i'm going for something simple, much like Dave Rapozas images I've got posted on here.  Anyway, I'll post a new picture soon, have fun drawing till then.

Dave Rapoza

These are pictures by Dave Rapoza.  His use of light and texture never fails to impress.  A very mature take on a teenage ninja turtles I believe?!!! Certainly a guy I look up to in the art world. Check him out on http://www.cghub.com/

Modern Technology

Thought id try and use my phone to blog. Might blog more often that way!

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Painfully Slow

Work is still progress but it seems to be taking ages.  Did it take this long last time??  People really must have more spare time than me because they are producing pictures weekly, I seem to be on a biannual speed.  Talking of other artists, it's amazing how humbling it is to look at what others can produce.  www.cghub.com is perfect example of what I'm talking about and if you like quality art then its very much worth a look.  Mines on there too but it pales into insignificance compared to professionals.  I just think they have more spare time........and a less dodgy computer.  Think its time for an upgrade!!!!  Till next time, keep drawing :)