Over the past couple of weeks it has been pouring rain here, so I’ve been having a great time shut away in the studio painting hammers. It all started with the claw hammer and grew from there. Following through on an idea is a great way to build up a series of paintings. It gives you the chance to experiment with techniques, play around with the subject and not be too worried about the outcome. These were all done on paper with various combinations of Charcoal, Gesso, watercolor, gouache, ink and ocher powder.
Splashing Paint 
I just love your work. Thanks for sharing it with all of us! — Beth
Great textures! I love the color the in the second hammer, what is it? I look forward to your new book too!
Thanks Cathy,
The color splashed into the second hammer is Permanent Rose – to make it look more delicate.
John,
You’re an inspiration to me for sure!…. and a big reminder that virtually anything can be interesting subject matter. You’ve really nailed these hammers… sorry, I couldn’t pass up that pun!
As always, I enjoy your ability to mix the media and do something innovative and interesting! Thanks so much for sharing!
Best,
Bill Dunn
Hi Bill,
Love the comment, Thanks! …someone on my facebook page said he thought they were “smashing” – like that one too!
Cheers
John
Hi John,
I enjoy so much your blog, also I learn a lot form it, thanks for sharing! Kind regards from Mexico.
Lety Herrera
Hi Lety,
Great to hear from you.
I often think about our workshop in Sicily – What a lot of fun that was!
Hope everything is going well with your gallery in Mexico.
Cheers
John
thank you!
love the medievalist looking one. id love to see the process of making these
Hi,
Here is a link to a youtube clip of the first hammer – all going well it should open in a new window.
Cheers
John
whoops. sorry i meant thank you here.
Beautiful work. I am learning watercolour. I am inspired and instructed by your methods and results.
Thanks Bob,
Glad you are enjoying the blog
Cheers
John
John –
Your talent is awesome! You can take any subject and turn it into something truly wonderful to behold.
I recently bought your book, ‘Getting Started’ and your DVD. I didn’t know about another book, but will certainly look for it.
Don’t ever stop painting and thank you for sharing your techniques.
I really get excited when I see your email in my mailbox.
Thanks Barbara,
Glad you are enjoying the blog. The new book is with the publishers at the moment so should be released fairly soon. I will let you know via the blog when it is available.
Cheers
John
Who would have thought hammers could look so amazing! You’re truly an inspiration! I love your work and I really enjoy your book “Getting Started” and watching your dvd’s. Did someone say new book? I’ll be watching for that one too!
I always look forward to your posts…thanks for sharing with us!
Kat =^..^=
Thanks Kat,
I will post details on the blog as soon as the new book is available
Cheers
John
Beautiful hammers, looking forward to us all getting hammered on Sunday
What a thought provoker! Beautiful work and now you have thinking about coffee cups, hair brushes, popcylces…and on and on. Thank you for sharing! I love the way you mix media and do “what it takes” to get a good painting.
Great stuff! I love them, especially the first one with all that suggested “movement”. Thanks for the inspiration. Looking forward to more details about your new book
I teach art in a high school & was delighted to see this subject – so often you look at watercolour paintings & watercolour artists & their art feels really “fuddy duddy”. I’m sure my students will be excited by your work!
love these hammers and will be sharing this link for a blog feature i do called “colorboard”. we’ve been looking for some pieces to display in our family room. by any chance, do you have prints of these for sale? i am very interested and would love to hear from you. you can contact me via my email address, or in reply to this comment.
thanks.
sarah nadine
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your comments and glad you liked the hammers. Unfortunately, I dont have any prints of these.
I enjoyed looking through your “colorboards” – what a great idea.
Cheers
John
Wow! I had done a search for gouache images, since I want to move on a bit from watercolor… and ran across one of these photos in the images…. Awesome!!!!