Happy New Year to you all.

Christmas is such a busy time that I haven’t had opportunity to paint much at all but I’m back in the shed and immediately got four on the go. It is also exactly 12 months since starting this blog. Thank you to all who have taken time out to visit and pass comment. Your positive feedback have been a constant inspiration. I set out to try and paint everyday but knew at the time it was a little unrealistic. Although I failed this ambition I have succeeded in painting most days and certainly more than previously, so I see that as a success.

Here is the first finished one, a beautiful little Blue Tit. I maintained a transparent backdrop using French ultra marine and burnt umber as recommended by my wonderful family member, Shauna Garnett.