Tag: watercolour

Look behind you

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I was actually eyeing up another scene for a possible future painting in Cheltenham, when turning round, I saw the spire of the Catholic Church of St Gregory the Great looming above the roof tops of this little street, and decided I wanted to paint it.

Unfortunately other commitments and the fact I was standing on a busy ring road meant I wasn’t able to do it then and there. I had to make do with taking a photograph, taking a good look at compositional possibilities and remembering as much as I could for when I was able to paint away from the subject. I tried to keep my first impressions in mind and not include too much detail.

Painted on Saunders Waterford 9 x 12″ block01-23 spire of st gregory the great. cheltenham

Morning in Well Lane

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The first time I saw this view – or rather the first time I really noticed it, was in the dark of early evening. I thought the buildings made interesting shapes and realized that with hardly any visible detail to distract me I was able to concentrate on the large masses seen as silhouettes – which is what one should always try to do when thinking about composition but isn’t always so easy. I determined to go back this morning and see what it looked like in daylight.

Although I could see more, I tried to keep the big shapes in mind and not be tempted to make too much of the detail, though the cars were a challenge.

Painted on a Saunders Waterford 9 x 12 ins HP block which I find is just about manageable when sketching in the car – any larger and the steering wheel causes major problems !01-17 morning in well lane

Getting back to normal

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After all the festivities, it takes awhile to get back into the swing of things. I like to use this time of year to plan out my classes, renew my materials and decide what I want to concentrate on in the year ahead.

Here I am using up the last few pages of an old Moleskine sketchbook before I start a new book for the new year which I hope to do by the end of the week.

This is a tree beside the road in the village of Wyck Rissington. ALL the trees lining the Green are interesting to look at and therefore interesting to paint from just about any angle and always seem to have something in the background. This is just playing with an idea for the class.

jan sketchbook tree

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12-06 SnowmanThere is so much to do at the moment, some of it related to Christmas, some to planning events for the new year and some which have nothing to do with either. So as it was wet, windy  and dark most of today I thought I’d check out the boxes of seasonal decorations to see if they had survived their hibernation.

I didn’t get very far before I found this little fella and decided it would be cruel to put him back in the box again and thought he might like to be the centre of attention for a hour or so…

He looks happy enough !

Farm barn

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It has been such a lovely day today (for the end of October) that I went exploring down a side road which I don’t usually take as it is not really on my way to or from anywhere. I knew a few footpaths led off it but I was thrilled to turn a corner and discover this barn nestled in the trees.

I used New Gamboge, Permanent magenta and Winsor blue throughout the painting.

10-22 Farm barn

Down Station Road

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10-18 Station Road

The yellow-gold on the right hand side of Station Road by the entrance to the Manor House as I headed towards the Post Office in the distance added a bright splash of warmth to an otherwise grey morning. The first time I’ve painted since a few days off with a bad back which is now only sore rather than agonizing. At least I can move, although it’s that moment between sitting down and standing up which is still a problem!

On guard

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10-08 The sentry tree

This tree stands guard at the entrance/exit to the car park and filling station. Seen from the road you don’t really take it is as you are usually too busy keeping your eyes on the traffic which can be hectic at times. However, seen from the car park side with the cottage behind it, I thought it would make a good painting.

The Cottage

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10-06 village cottage

I pass this cottage any number of times during the week, sometimes without really noticing it. Recently as I went by, it was the light on the foliage in front of the cottage which jumped out at me and made me want to paint it.

I couldn’t stop at the time, but the memory stayed with me.

Although the building may be recognizable, it is not accurate. I didn’t want to make a portrait of a particular place. Many liberties have been taken and the background hardly mentioned at all. As it was the tree(s) which struck me, this was where I tried to keep my focus when I painted it later mostly how I thought it should be.

I hope I have caught the feeling of the place.

Greystones 2

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10-05 October barns 2

This is a different version of yesterday’s view of the farm barns. Less of what was actually there and more of how I wanted to paint it to give it more of an autumnal/wintry feel. The feeling a subject gives you is just as important to take into consideration.

This one was painted with a limited palette of Yellow Ochre, Brown Madder and French Ultramarine, which in some ways is easier than using a full colour palette as you don’t have so many decisions to make and it gives the painting a certain unity. Also it is interesting to see just what colours you can make from so few pigments.

Which version do you prefer?