First Snow

I could'nt resist painting Sharp Edge today, all the mountain tops around Keswick have got snow on them, I love seeing snow I feel that it gives more drama to the fells.

How long will it last?

What a perfect tree, I love this time of the year, Autumn light is fantastic long shadows, the rich fells with a sprinkling of snow bright blue skies, there's nothing like walking at this time of the year kicking the Autumn leaves and smelling log fires burning in cosy rooms

Autumn Leaves

Keswick has seen some exciting weather this weekend, but today when I walk to the Lake in the glorious sunshine it's hard to believe, but the Lake is very high and there is the first glimpse of snow on the fell tops. I'm surprised that there are any leaves left on the trees but the colours look so beautiful, I can't wait to get it to paper or maybe canvas!! Monday night is my evening class in Keswick and this is the painting we are going to have a bash at!!

Aladins Cave

Finished my 2008 Lakeland art courses today we had a lovely time and really got to grips with the medium of watercolour, and it finished on terrible weather, the Thirlmere road to Keswick was flooded quite badly, the waterfalls were unbelievable gushing down the fells and onto the road. The weather has been quite remarkable this year, February was beautiful and also May sitting beside the river painting in pastels and watching for a Kingfisher or even our Derwentwater otter is always magical.The week in Italy in May was beautiful we didn't swim in the Lake this year but I'm hoping that our visit in June next year will be long sunny days spent painting and evenings watching the sunset over a fantastic meal with a chilled glass of wine. My four summer courses in the Lake District were a little damp to say the least we managed to capture misty Lakes, glass like reflections and a real feel for the English Lake District.

I am already looking forward to next years courses and I am delighted that TheHeaton Cooper Studiohave offered 10% off for all Lakeland art courses students, it is one of my favourite galleries and art shops and I always get a buzz when walking in and looking at all there colourful paints, pastels, the list is endless. I have kept my prices for the Lake District courses the same for 2009 the same as this year, courses are starting to book up and I'm about to send my brochures out.

Ace of Spades

Autumn is here in the Lakes, I couldn't resist this glorious Acer in Grasmere today, the weather was so varied dark payne grey skies one minute to stunning deep winsor blue the next. The beautiful drive from Grasmere to Keswick along the side of Thirlmere is one of my favourites and never fails to inspire the colours really are at their best, I want to stop and paint everything before the wind blows those precious leaves away.

Summers returned!! briefly

I love this time of the year, the colours are changing, the fells are more of an ochre rather than very green, and the light is softer with longer shadows creating paintings round every corner. I found this sun lite terracotta pot in Rydal Hall yesterday, I have a beginners course in watercolour based at Grasmere it starts in 2 weeks, the Lakes will be heavenly if we have sunshine days and the colours will be fantastic.

Orange and Blue

I recently have acquired a full imperial stretcher, never having painted a watercolour this big, I could'nt wait to have a go but also felt quite daunted at the prospect. But once you get used to handling a big board it's no different really, I enjoy working big and find smaller paintings more challenging. While painting this I was very aware of colour complementaries and tone. I have an exhibition in Keswick next week and I'm hoping this will feature in it.

Summers gone!

The fells are changing colour, the light is different all wonderful ingredients for painting projects. Wainwright bagging is a great way to see the Lake District we managed three peaks Allen Crags, Esk Pike and Great End, parking at a busy Seathwaite and heading up the valley towards Stockley Bridge I had a sketch book in my rucksack and a camera always to hand, the light was mystical this as got to be one of the most dramatic valleys in the Northern Lakes. I was soon reminded as we approached the top of a cold and windy Allen Crag that Summer was over and Winter walking had begun. Since returning from this exhilarating walk I have been buzzing with ideas of what to paint, which style and medium!