Early evening sun setting in the west of the South African Cape Fold mountain range near the wine town of Paarl

Ref. L-5b
Title: Cape Mountain Landscape 2.
Description: Cape Fold mountain ranges in the west of South Africa. The "Fynbos" an indigenouse floral vegetation, blossom in multi-colours during winter months. The cool air build up against the steep "Berge" cliffs during sunset hours causing massive clouds to form. The erly histroical Cape Dutch farm house nestles against the dramatic mountain range with the last warm rays of day turning the turning leaves many colours.
Size: 610 x 510mm.
Medium: oil on canvas.
Date: May 2008.
Price: SOLD

Sunset on Lake Skye Scotland in pastel blues, purples and pinks.

Ref. L-11a
Title: Scotland Lake Skye 2.
Description: This is the second painting of two achored fishing boats at their moorings on the Scottish lake Skye. Painted from a photograph taken by Dale Gravett Photographer, a long time friend of Don Bell.
Size: 430 x 598mm
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Date: May 2008.
Price: SOLD

The final portrait painting of the couple superimposed together from two photographs supplied by client.

Ref. C&H-8
Title: Dieter & Sanett.
Description: A portrait of Dieter Grunewald & his partner, Sanett Prins. The painting was referenced from a number of photos supplied to the artist by Dieter.
Size: 405 x 305 Landscape Format.
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Date: February 2008.
Price: SOLD

Cedar Branch Church, a new offshoot of Harvest Christian Church, both based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa is starting to take shape.
The early stages of site sourcing and applications to council to obtain the land has begun.
Don bell is currently designing the Concept Development for the Site Development Application and has produced this artist impression.

Watch this space as the church grows!

This example shows how I build up my portrait paintings so that I do not lose the image detail and features of the people.
Stage 1. Setting out the painting.
I find the most accurate way for me to get a realistic portrayal of peoples features is to cast an image of the subject from a digital projector onto my canvas. I then trace out with a dark Brown Umber, the features that are visible. I use acrylic paints because they dry fast which enables me to continue in oil paints an hour later.
At the same time I am setting the features up, I use very watered down acrylic to wash the over areas that cannot be depicted in the dark brown - such a subtle cheek, lips, forhead and eyebrow curves and shapes.

One can identify the build-up of these portrait stages as the colours become thicker and more pronounced.

Stage 2. Tonal Washes.
This stage is done in oil paint washes using distilled turpentine to thin the paints so that they run well and then dry fairly quickly to carry on working. I build up the shapes of the face carefully so as not to lose the features.
Stage 3. Detailing.
I now begin to add thicker paint mixed with dabs of oil to allow a creamy mixture that is easy to wipe softly over the features, all the time building my colours up - in this case i am staying with browns and tan colours as those are the colours that will feature and suit the client's needs the best.

Work in a creamy mixture of oil paints and artists oil in order to maintain soft transitions in features.

The above stages show how I work more and more detail and lighter colours into the features ensuring that the softness of the face shapes take precendence over brush strokes. In this way a real life depiction of skin and features is realised.
The Final Painting:
This is the completed painting. The artist preferred to add a little more colour and highlighting to the hair and clothes in order to compliment the colours of the background and the skin tones.

Final portrait oil painting of the happy couple. Happy 21st Birthday Shaun!

The Reference Photo:

The original photo supplied to the artist Don Bell for painting.

Easy Steps to Pallet Change!
If you're one of those artists who hates to scrape down an old pallet every time you're finished with a work, do what I do:
1. Use a thin piece of plywood, glass or plastic board to the size you would like your pallet to be.
2. Place a white sheet of paper onto one side.
3. Sandwich the board and paper together and stretch Kling-wrap out over the top.
4 & 5. Wrap the kitchen kling-wrap around the whole lot about three to four times.
Once this is done, squeeze out the air bubbles that have formed and fold any overlapping pieces under the pallet (opposite side which the white sheet of paper is on).
6. You now have a smooth, clean, white surface to place the paint on and to work off.
7. When you're done with that messy pallet,
8. Simply peel off the kling wrap and start again.

Easy steps to do away with a messy pallet and use an easy pallet change method.

Viewing Elephants in the wild can be an exciting, adrenalin pumping experience, especially when coming across a Bull Elephant that does not appreciate being interrupted.
Like this Elephant which decided that he'd trumpet, sway his head and kick up dust - a serious early warning for you to depart as quickly and quietly as possible before that inevitable six ton charge!

This study is Don Bell's depiction of his daughter Kim's victorious re-emergence to a normal life and free spirit after a traumatic personal battle.
She was abandoned by someone she loved and had given her life to. He didn't have the same values and wasted ten years of her life, then departed.
Kim had to rediscover herself, her faith and beliefs, and after selfless support and care from God, her family, church community and friends, she was able to fight the war and emerge victorious.
She fought, conquered and like a butterfly is transformed and able to fly with a new found freedom.
The painting taking shape comprises Kim striding victoriously through an endless field of South African indigenous Daisies which depicts her new life and horizons. The symbolic sword Kim took up and fought the battle is cast aside victoriously as the Fig Tree Blue Butterfly flies to freedom.

Stage 2 of the painting with additional detail of the daisies, sword and slit in the image added in layers.

Don Bell is starting a new painting adapted from a photograph taken by Kim Bell of Kimage Photography.
This magnificent Lion portrait was taken by Kim in the Sea View Game Park located close to the artist's home city, Port Elizabeth.

This magnificent photograph was taken by Kim Bell of kimage Photography.

A study of Kim Bell photographer.