Autumn, with darker evenings and cold winds, has led to a week of still life painting with apples and jugs taking on starring roles. It has been interesting seeing the paintings develop, each in their different way.

This one turned into an appreciation of the yellowness of fruit.

the yellowness of fruit, oil on canvas, 6″x8″

This one, on the other hand, turned into a competition between the subtle colours of autumn apples and the dark glossiness of my red enamel coffee pot. Probably should have knocked it back a bit.

apples versus jug, oil on canvas, 6″x8″

Two coffee makers in coversation – the old enamel faithful and the newer steel, eccentric yet efficient little pot. The red pot is best at making Turkish coffee, boiled up inside it and drunk from a tiny cup with lots of sugar. The steel pot is perfect for making enough strong coffee to make two morning cups full, diluted with hot water and mellowed with a splash of milk.

coffee pots conversing, oil on canvas, 6″x8″

In the meantime the large painting was ‘maturing’ on the wall and every time I looked at it – in spite of trying not to – the foreground was leaping out at me and looking not quite right. So, in the end, I gave in and sneaked it down to make the alterations that it seemed to want.

Crosdale evening, work in progress, stage 2, oil on canvas, 23.4″ x 33.1″

Now, it just needs a couple of the highlights putting back in and it will be done, or will it … ?