Sunset Steamer, Ullswater.

Askham Fell a small little fell on the edge of Ullswater. An easy Sunday Afternoon stroll with gorgeous views all the way down the Lake. With the sun starting to set and misty effects just shouting 'WATERCOLOURS'

A few sheep dotted around the moorland, light catching on their Fleece, warm Autumn hues in the bracken.

A delight when wild ponies are spotted and the backdrop is Blencathra.

Walking back down to the village of Pooley Bridge just in time for the sun setting, what a perfect view. I love painting scenes like this in watercolours.

Sunset Steamer, Ullswater

Painted in Watercolours inspired on a Sunday walk.

Size 19 x 12.5 ins Unframed

 

For sale

For more information or  to purchase this Original watercolour

 just send an email to Jane at

lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk

A walk to Gowbarrow Fell

Gowbarrow Fell 1579 feet

All this talk about Turner made me think a visit to Aira Force could be quite exciting especially after the heavy rain. I had my sketchbook at the ready, but the light conditions were a little flat. So I decided to comeback later in the day. The water was gushing down and under foot was a little squelchy, it's a shame photo's don't have sound because I think this is what gives the drama to a waterfall.Turner did paint at this very spot.

Views of Beautiful Ullswater started to appear, it was a little grey but not raining or windy. Reflections on the lake were stunning, a good excuse to stop and take in the view.

 

This shows the a great panorama, taking in Hallin fell on the left round to the edge of Clough Head on the right. Look at the Autumn colours, the Larch trees are starting to drop the pines and Silver Birches have a soft halo of Crimson

I made my way up the fell, wondering shall I go to the summit top. Dark Grey clouds threatened rain overhead, suddenly a ray of light caught a patch of field. I love moments like this.

The summit was reached with a view down to Dockray and behond to the Blencathra range, on a clearer day this would be a great view point.But still good today.

Down the slippery slope to a dry patch with a view to behold. A quick pen sketch with a watercolour wash. Perfect when time is the essences and not to heavy to heave up the mountain side. I think this would be a super subject to paint in Pastels.

A super varied walk with views to take your breath away.

Fancy learning a few new watercolour techniques, join me with my online course.

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Turner in the Lake District

Evening light, Derwentwater

Painted in Watercolours

I'm very excited about going to see the new 'Turner Movie'. I've heard it's got good reviews but I'm not really bothered about these, it will be amazing seeing 'Turners work on the big screen and with a bag of  popcorn thrown in. When we were in Chamonix I figured out nearly where the great master had painted and I'm delighted to find on the Tate web site that he toured the Lake District in 1797 sketching Aira and Lodore Falls, Derwentwater, Buttermere and Patterdale just to name a few scenic spots that he put pencil to paper.

Here is a link to the tate web site that shows Turner painting from just about the same place as 'Evening Light, Derwentwater. It's a fascinating web site showing Turners sketchbook from his visit to the Lakes. I think I may have to try and re-visit some other famous Turner locations.

With the heavy rain and atmospheric grey skies, the Lakeland landscape does shout a Turner approach.

 Ullswater a moody sky. I sat on an old wall, with a strong wind blowing and took in the beauty, while enjoying a hot Chocolate!

After the rain, hours of grey gloom are really worth moments of surreal  light conditions that reveal the delight of the Lakes.

I've sketched in this scene ready for the paint to work some magic, will keep you posted.

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Haweswater Pastel demo

Haweswater

Painted in Pastels

As promised Haweswater, inspired on a cycle ride. I started with a watercolour wash on Saunders Waterford stretched not paper. Not too much detail, I tried to keep it loose but also bright tonal colours that were painted in one wash. Decision time, do I carry on with watercolours or apply pastels? Nothing to lose I'm working on a small scale and it's a good learning excerise for a
 larger scale painting.

Shadows of mauves were added first and then warm Ochres for the rich velvet fells. 

Next I attacked the sky this was fun, the shades of watercolour helped, I slightly deepened the sky tone in places and then added paler shades for clouds floating by.

Refelections in the Lake are applied with more pressure and smoothed downwards and trees quickly painted in with sharp strokes using the side of the pastel stick.

A few Pastel tips

I have a sheet of paper that I use to check the colours, tonal values and also clean the pastel on.

Take your time, think about the marks and colours you put down, I like to apply the correct colour and not rub out or overwork.

Leave the painting somewhere you can see it, and come back in a few days to re evulate it.

www.janeward.co.uk

A cycle ride to Haweswater

Thought I would share with you a lovely cycle ride in the Lakes. We started from Penrith and made our way through the pretty villages of Askam and Brampton. The trees and sunshine were delightful in this quieter known area of the Lakes. It's going to be great getting to know this new part of the Lakes and the Eden valley, it reminds me of the Yorkshire Dales with it's rolling hills and walls and pretty villages.

 Eden valley meets Lakes. Herdwicks appear climbing on rocks, mossy streams and waterfalls catching the light and the Lake can be glimsed through the Autumn leaves. But is it a Lake? Or a resorvoir, whatever it sure looks beautiful on this Autumn day.

 

The colours of the fell bring joy to an artist palette. Cycling along abopve the Lake, you can take it all in, two cute little Red Squirrels hunting nuts run away when we cycle by. This quiet road is a pure joy for the cyclist.

The shadows tell the story, 'Which button should it be on'!!

The end of the Lake is reached, hot chocolate was brought along to help warm our cold fingers, but sitting amongst a view like this, with fells towering above is sheer delight.

 A bit chilly but wrapped up, and what a view from the saddle

Hope you've enjoyed the cycle along, now for some painting, I'll keep you posted.

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Chris Froome wearing the Green Jersey

The Green Jersey

Painted in Watercolours 

For Sale

Wearing the 'Green Jersey' is Chris Froome on Criteruim du Dauphine 2014.

It was a warm sunny afternoon in early June. The location was a small hill on the outskirts of Sallanches. Apple trees justled for space along the roadside and spectators gathered excitedly waiting for the riders to burst onto the scene. No pomp like the Tour de France just hard core cyclists racing each other along the Alpine passes. Alberto Contador was wearing the Yellow jersey but it was Chris Froome that caught my attention and what a joy to paint. Happy Memories

To purchase 'The Green Jersey' or for more information email Jane at lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk