Christmas Art Exhibition in Keswick

After the Storm, Ullswater Pastel

£295.00

This is just one of the new paintings I'm exhibiting at Moot Hall, Keswick from Thursday 28th November to Saturday 1st December. The weather is looking lovely and sunny with a new layer of snow on the very top of Skiddaw it looks a picture postcard!! I've also got some new canvas prints which look great and Christmas cards. With the Victorian Fair this weekend Keswick is certainly getting in the mood for Christmas.

Skyfall and Rannoch Moor

Went to see Skyfall at the weekend, what a super film you can't beat a James Bond movie especially with scenes set in the wonderful dramatic Rannoch Moor. It looked like it was filmed at the end of November with Wintery cool colours. The drive along A82 is truly stunning passing through Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch Moor with the Buachaille Etive Beag towering above and then down into stunning Glencoe. I always want to paint dramatic scenery and this part of Scotland ticks all the boxes. I wouldn't mind in the slightest driving along in an Aston Martin!!

Rannoch Moor, Highlands 24 x 16 inches

Price £85.00

The Canvas print is stretched over a high quality wooden frame, The image goes to the edge of the canvas with a plain White side edges. Price includes delivery by courier. 

This applies to UK only, please email about overseas shipping costs.

Autumn Glow over Borrowdale Valley

A couple of weeks ago I walked up Walla Crag a small fell above Derwentwater. Snow on the higher hills in Borrowdale  valley warmly lit by the late afternoon sunshine giving it a wonderful Alpine glow. Conifers and Larch trees resplendent in Sparkling Autumn shades. Simple things like these totally inspire me to put paint to paper. I felt that this would be a great subject to demonstrate to my watercolour workshop, and I thought you might like to see how I tackled it.

So here is my recipe for Borrowdale Alpine Glow, served with a selection of  Conifer,  

Larch and a little Cumbrian fell.

140lbs Saunders Waterford paper Stretched

Ultramarine, Permanent Rose, Burnt Sienna and a little Gamboge

A handful of riggers ranging from size 12, 8 and 4 

To help pull it all together a well used palette knife

And finally a spray of water to help the paints to separate.

 Stage One

 A weak wash of Burnt Sienna was applied to the sky and back fells.When this was dry Ultramarine and Permanent Rose was used for the distant fells, using a dry brush for scree effects. 

Burnt Sienna and Permanent Rose was applied loosely in the foreground.

Stage  Two

Stronger hues of Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine were applied to paint  'Grange Fell' also Burnt Sienna and Gamboge was used to paint the 1st stage of the Conifer and Larch trees, these were sprayed with water to create softening effects.

 Stage Three

More detail and stronger hues of Burnt Sienna and Permanent Rose was used in the Larch trees with the aid of  number 8 and 4 rigger brushes. A path emerged helped as a 'lead in' to the background, helping to give the painting  more depth. A palette knife was used to apply paint to the larch trees and also to scrap off and to reveal light on the tree bark.

'Autumn Glow over Borrowdale Valley'

I'll let you know how the class goes tomorrow 

 If you fancy joining my online watercolour course to learn more secrets for watercolour painting 

here are more details www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Or a perfect Christmas present for an aspiring artist 

The Online Watercolour course £55.00 for six projects with personal feedback

Falling Leaves in Pastels

Falling Leaves

Pastel by Jane Ward 

I've had the pastels out for the last week and realise how much I've missed painting with these messy little devils! Using the fisher 400 pastel paper with an Arcylic under base with transparent primaries first, then pulling the scene together with pastels in a negative painting method seems to  paint itself! 

Wow how good is that, you don't use too much pastel or need such a wide variety of colours.

I demonstrated this technique to the Watermillock art group  near Ullswater this week and they all produced some fabulous work. 

Step One this shows the Acrylic under painting, next came the pastels when the paper was thoroughly dry

Step Two  Pastels are applied in the background to help create a sense of depth to the paintings with cool shades, warmer colours are used in the foreground to bring the painting forward.

Striding Edge and Sharp Edge Canvas Prints

Here are two of my favourite mountain ridges in the Lake District.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Sharp Edge, Blencathra or Saddleback as some locals call it.

Both were painted in Pastels from inspiring mountain days of clear Blue skies. To walk to a view like this and then to come back into the studio and paint what inspired and moved me is an important part of my art, especially in Winter snowy conditions.

Both of these paintings are available on canvas, stretched over a quality wooden frame and can be hung as they are or framed .They look fabulous as a pair, I'm sure any walker or climber would enjoy having these on their wall to remember a classic day out on the Lakeland Fells.

Striding Edge, Helvellyn 24 x 16 inches

Price £125.00 

Sharp Edge, Blencathra 24 x 16 inches

Price £125.00

The Canvas prints are stretched over a high quality wooden frame, The image goes to the edge of the canvas with a plain White side edges. Price includes delivery by courier. 

This applies to UK only.

 This photo was taken coming down Blencathra, I've got a big smile because we had just passed 

Sir Chris Bonnington on his walk up this classic Boxing day walk.

A splendid view from Walla Crag

Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite seen from the top of Walla and if you look closely distant Scottish peaks.

I love the light on a late afternoon and feel that this is just asking to be painted in watercolours, soft misty fells and Autumn colours in easy conifer trees!! Why not let me show you how easy watercolours can be, I have a workshop for beginners in Keswick Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February 2013 with a few places left  or if you fancy my Online Course, just send a email to lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk and we can get painting.

Who says just the Alps can have Alpine glow!

And I couldn't resist these ladies having a bubble bath ? Well it does look a little like that!

If you'd like more to see more information on my painting holidays and courses

Check out www.lakelandartcourses.co.uk

An Autumn walk around the shores of Buttermere

With glorious sunshine and a dusting of snow on the tops, Buttermere was bathing in all it's glory on Saturday
I always enjoying walking around this beautiful lake, especially with the Autumn leaves just hanging on.
It's only about four miles and fairly flat all the way, with just one obstacle, a short dark tunnel, only about fifty metres long but I always have to run through it!!
Buttermere is one of my favourite lakes, with its changing moods, towering mountains and a timeless feel. It's quite a drive getting there either by Newlands, Whinlatter or Honister's dramatic passes but what scenery in a few short miles.

 Just some of the golden trees

 A truly classic shot of Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere, I fancy having a go at this in pastels.

Another rusty old fence/ post acting as a perfect lead in.

If you fancy painting  Buttermere in Winter using watercolours 

 Easy techniques that make your watercolours come to life.

Have a look at my unique Online watercolour course

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Dreaded art critique

First snow on Grizedale Pike today

More snow on the Jaws of Borrowdale

For all those that paint, I think we all have the dreaded 'Art Critique' that doesn't paint themselves, but is more than willing to give comment on how the painting is working or not!

I have thought many times of putting a large sign on my studio door saying 'DON'T UTTER A WORD WHEN PAINTING IS IN PROCESS' but if these art critiques are partners, husbands or even wife's they can't help themselves!

Sometimes not every time they can be right!

This small pastel study was not about been a masterpiece, more trial and error and I feel at times we all want to create something special instead of playing with the medium to see what it can achieve. I applied an Acrylic under base then some pastels gave it a little waters pray, all just to see what would happen.

But on that note it is important to get feedback and if it's Positive all the better!!

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk