19 Comments
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Sally Crangle's avatar

Just found you and your beautiful work quite by accident on here and so glad I did! I love the coral-y florals dotted through it lately (a mouthful to say!) and now I’m craving Mississippi mud pie! A really lovely list of things to be grateful for. I’m off to have a nosey around whilst I’m here! Have a lovely rest of week. I hope this joyful bout of Spring sunshine is stretching down to beautiful Yorkshire too xxx

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Helen C Stark's avatar

Thanks Sally!! Yes, I do love a list and a gratitude list is even better for the soul!! (and mental health!) - AND even better when you add colour! Have a great weekend!!

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Joyce Beth McMurtrey's avatar

The color combinations are out of this world gorgeous. You make it all look so easy and cool.

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Helen C Stark's avatar

Aw thanks Joyce! SO kind of you. I'm enjoying the process so much! Glad you're enjoying it too.

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Life in the Slow Lane's avatar

Such a beautiful palette--- I don't typically think of that coral/salmon color as a spring hue. I've never seen a nectarine tree here. You are fortunate to have them.

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Helen C Stark's avatar

Yes absolutely I feel very blessed! Worth saying I saw them in a Victorian glasshouse which has all sorts of exotic plants in it and is cared for by remarkably dedicated gardeners, we don’t typically see nectarines around Yorkshire!! 😆 🌸🍑 They’re very much an imported good 👍🏻

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Life in the Slow Lane's avatar

Oh, that's funny. I guess we're not so deprived, after all. :-)

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Jeannine's avatar

Such a lovely, colourful sketch book!! Love, love, love! As for the puzzles!!! Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie and the sweet Brambly Hedge! I must go find one !

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Helen C Stark's avatar

I typically associate jigsaws with cold winter months - there’s too much to do in the garden now so I’m keeping it as an idea for later this year! 😉🧡 Hope there’ll be some left!

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Jeannine's avatar

Yes, absolutely. Especially here in Canada, winter can be long. We are still under snow, but it is warming up, slowly. I will look for these puzzles for next winter!

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Deborah Vass's avatar

Such wonderful sketches. I must now look up that jigsaw, I did the Bronte one at Christmas and loved it.

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Helen C Stark's avatar

Ooooooh I was very tempted by that one. And the Jane Austen. 👌🏻💕

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Deborah Vass's avatar

They are very satisfying and the illustrations on them so well done. I loved it. I have Jane Austen for next Christmas ( and found the Brambly Hedge!)

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Christine Pan's avatar

I love this, would appreciate a how to on posting! I’m new here and also an artist - I’m from Sydney

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The Braver Mom's avatar

You’re amazing!

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Anaeli Lartigue's avatar

Such lovely sketches and glorious colours ! May I ask what kind of paper or sketchbook you are using ?

I have sketchbooks that are OK for only dry media, or full watercolour paper sketches, but I struggle to find a reasonably priced mixed media paper that would accept a little bit of gouache/watercolour as well as pencil and ink sketches :)

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Anaeli Lartigue's avatar

Nevermind, I just saw you have videos about that for your paid subscribers :) I love book binding and especially when artists explain their process. I make my watercolour sketchbooks when I can, they are different to me that store bought ones.

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Helen C Stark's avatar

yes I can relate, this one feels very special. I made it with Seawhite of Brighton paper. it's not that thick. I try to not put on too much water though.

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Anaeli Lartigue's avatar

Thanks for the reply ! I've never heard of that paper, I will look into it :)

Love how you paint on the covers too.

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