Thanks for your entries for the free oil sketch contest. You brought a smile to my face with your funny, moving and sometimes sad stories. I had a hard time picking a winner. I narrowed it down to a top ten, then to a top three and I finally decided that Hinke (from Holland) should have the sketch. I will send the runners up (John from Scotland and Grant from the U.S.A.) a little present too.
I've been thinking about selling my work online for quite some time. This silly contest was in fact the last push I needed. I now have a brand new online sales page, where you can purchase my oil sketches. The big paintings will still be sold through the galleries, but if you're looking for a modestly priced oil-on-paper, you may want to take a look. 
In the meantime I've been working on the sketches for my Ruysdael project. I'm making good progress and really enjoying it. Kind a liberating, not to plan the whole thing in advance, but just go for it. I think I'll make a few more before I decide which one to use for the real thing. I do have a slight preference though. Which one would you pick? Let me know!
I use a small water color tablet for my oil sketches. Before I start painting I prime the paper with a few layers of Gesso. To give it just a bit of texture I work the surface with a paint roller.
If you feel like seeing the whole lot, please visit my online sales page.
