Celtic Knots

I have been suffering through a monstrous bout of flu that left me unable (or at least rather unwilling) to do any "real" work. So instead I played around with Celtic knot design.

These decorations were often used in Medieval illuminated manuscripts (particularly in Ireland). They look very complex but can be constructed via a rather simple set of rules. Medieval Irish monks could routinely do ones vastly more intricate than this.

Orchids and Mango

Oil on board, 25 x 20 cm:

Another experiment in expressionism; I cannot quite decide whether I like what I am doing here or hate it.

Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Oil on board, 20 x 25 cm:

Another piece in more or less post-impressionist style, partly from imagination and partly based on reference photos. I'm not sure it is really successful, but I think it taught me the one and other about this style of work (which is not as easy to pull off as one might think!)

Harvest

Oil on board, 15 x 10 cm. A somewhat whimsical picture in post-impressionist style; I may just do a whole series of this sort of thing to see how it works for me:

Recent sketches

A bunch of random sketches of various things, partly as studies, partly just for fun.

I just love drawing camels, which strike me as somehow simultaneously graceful and goofy:

A ceramic jug in charcoal:

And using a still from a film as reference:

For copyright reasons, one cannot really use stills from films directly as references, but such studies can help one get a better understanding of such things as old style clothing, weapons and buildings. 

Two Courgettes and Tomato

Oil on board, 15 x 20 cm:

Got a bit of glare on the painting when I took the photo, it seems. Perhaps I'll try again later and put up a better picture...

Silverware and Onion

Painted from life, oil on board, 15 x 20 cm: