Farewell to Anne

So that's episode 5 done.  Only one left to go.  Time seems to be speeding up and the programme feels like it's whizzing by.  In an blink of an eye it will all be over.  I feel sad about that.  I'm enjoying watching it on the tv.  It is strange to not be included as a painter, but we're all so connected now, good friends, still with a common goal which is our forthcoming exhibiton.  I want it to go on a little bit longer.  I'd like there to be more challenges and I'd like to join in again!  I'd even paint some architecture!!!

I've never had the chance to visit Liverpool yet.  I know it won the title, City of Culture a few years back.  From what I saw of it on the programme, it looks like a very bustling vibrant city.

I thought the first challenge was great - painting an urban scene - and it was lovely to see that everyone chose a different angle to work from.  I thought Claire's geometric abstract approach to painting the shopping centre was a very bold and refreshing. It's certaily not a subject I would have tackled.  I hate shopping centres at the best of times.  All that concrete leaves me cold.  I really liked Richard's choice - the 2 converging streets and thought the way he painted it was very lowry-esque and very different from his usual painting style.  Anne's choice of the park didn't have such an 'urban' feel, maybe because the focus was the band stand.  I've not seen the park so I don't know if there was a different view point that would have fulfilled the brief a bit better.  However she tells me it was one of the places they were encouraged to consider, so it seems a bit of a shame that she ended up being marked down for chosing it.  Over all though, I thought all the finished pieces were pretty good.  I think if I'd been there I would have gone for either the street scene that Richard worked on or the pub which looked like it was in the middle of barren urban land. 

The quick draw - well I have to admit I'm glad I didn't have to tackle that.  It definitely would have been another Blenheim Palace!  Mind you, having tackled a tricky building once, I probably would have been a bit more selective in my choice of area to focus on.  Anyway, well done guys. Not an easy thing to tackle in 30 mins with a film crew peering over your shoulder...... All those fiddly bits and all that perspective!

The last challenge, the view across the mersey, well I have to say I loved each painting they created.  I've never tackled anything like that before and I'm sure it's not easy to deal with a vast amount of ever changing sky and a vast amount of water, so I take my hat off to them for doing it (a big yellow vintage hat obviously!).  Paul's fauve-y colourful approach reminded me of his style of painting from the very first episode - lots of colour and expression going on the canvas.  I really liked Claire's - there was a very subtle beauty about it and her mark making and soft tones were very evident. I think Claire's style is definitely becoming more confident with everything she does.  Richard's was really atmospheric.  Anne approached hers with her trademark bold ground and I thought it was brave of her to include the ferry which she would have had to have painted very quickly.  And I like Amy's which was blocky and bold and very Amy.

And then there were 4!  Sad to see Anne leave, but as with Anthea, I knew her time was up then.  It's hard being eliminated, particularly when it can hang on how you perform on that day and that day could be an off day for you.  

So...... 2 days to go till the winner is announced.  My lips are sealed!