Day twenty two Art advent Langdales

Day twenty two Art advent 

Lovely 'Langdales ' 

Painted in Pastels

A beautiful scene that was a joy to paint, especially with Pastels 

Day twenty one art advent Castlerigg stone circle

Day twenty one art advent 

Castlerigg stone circle 

painted in Pastels 

Winter solstice today, how great is it that the darkest day is here 

and days will just get lighter two minutes everyday.

The day I was inspired to paint this scene, I was joined by a few photographers all trying to catch the magical afternoon light after a dusting of fresh snow.

More information to buy Castlerigg Print

Day nineteen and twenty Art Advent

Day nineteen Art advent 

Wintertime Les Carroz 

Painted in Watercolours 

Inspired after a day on the slopes, 

skiing down into this quaint Alpine village at the end of the day was a joy.

Lots of masking with tape and fluid and a limited palette of hues.

Day Twenty  Art Advent

Skiddaw 

Painted in Pastels 

A lovely long panoramic with reflections of snow topped mountain.

This iconic mountain sits proudly over Keswick.

Day Eighteen Art Advent Striding Edge

Day Eighteen Art Advent

Striding Edge 

painted in Pastels 

This was one of those paintings I really enjoyed getting into.

A beautiful crisp winters day, plenty of snow and gorgeous colours in the shadows.

Day seventeen art advent Buttermere

Day seventeen art advent 

A window opens onto Beautiful  Buttermere 

Painted in Pastels

Again a stunning place in the Lake District that I love to paint.

Painted on Pastels at with a watercolour Base and Unison Pastels adding lights and form.

Day fifteen art advent Bluebells

Day fifteen  Art advent 

A walk in the Bluebells

Painted in Pastels 

One of my favourite flowers to paint.

The fragrance and light at Springtime is perfect for an outdoor artist.

If you fancy having a go at painting a Bluebell wood in watercolours 

Here is a step by step tutorial.

Bluebells in watercolour

Day Fourteen Art advent Sharp Edge

Day Fourteen Art Advent

Sharp Edge 

Just off the easel

Painted in Watercolours 

When times are sad

It's hard to pick the paint brush up

My heart felt heavy

The brushstrokes did not flow

They didn't even merge

Colour seemed to fade

It made me feel worse

So when the brush at last was tentively 

Dipped in paint

and colour brought a feeling 

that helped to heal

A broken heart 

For Dad xx

Day thirteen Art Advent Winter Wonderland

Day thirteen, Art Advent

Winter Wonderland

Painted in Watercolours

A very limited palette

Masking Tape

Masking

Wax 

Were all included

I love finding my way through these types of paintings,

 never quite knowing where I will end up,

It is the journey which excites.

Day Twelve Art advent Ullswater

Day Twelve Art Advent

Evening Sail, Ullswater

Painted in pastels.

Daylight hours are few this time of year.

But the colours in the skies morning  and afternoon are just spectacular. Capturing these or feeling moved as an artist is a total joy.

Evening  Sail, Ullswater 

Signed print 

Etsy Gallery

Day Eleven Art Advent Winter Flock

Day Eleven Art Advent

Winter Flock

Painted in Oils

I loved painting these Sheep, I started  blocking in with lots of complementary colours. The snow around the Sheep was next finishing off with many harmonising colours picked out in the Fleece. All this talk makes me want to get the paints out now.

Day Ten Art Advent Derwentwater

Day Ten Art Advent

Evening Light, Derwentwater

Painted in Oils

What better way to end the day

Last rays of light 

On the mountain tops

A stillness settling on the lake

Canada Geese

Flying low and finding their way to a peaceful night.

Signed A3 prints 

Unframed and posted in a postal tube for safe delivery.

£45.00 

Day nine Art Advent Blencathra

Day Nine Art Advent

Blencathra

Painted in Pastels for sale at Viridian Gallery, Keswick.

Standing Loud and proud, admired from the A66 in all weathers.

Sometimes wrapped in mist or bathed in sunshine.

It's many ridges to the top, with Sharp Edge the most famous of them all.

Day Eight Art Advent

Day Eight Art Advent 

Carzone, Monte Isola 

Painted in Watercolours 

Arrive by ferry, take a  walk down the quiet street,

 a young boy playing football,

with dreams of an Italian Shirt to wear.

Old doors, crumbling yet Grand Ochre buildings

Catch a glimpse of a turquoise lake.

Bright flowers spilling over terracotta pots,

A scooter sweeps by, on the way home for Lunch.

Stop at the cafe,  blue checked tablecloths,

And order a latte machiato,

A morning in heaven.

Sharp Edge signed print.

Sharp Edge

Painted in Pastels

Day Seven Art Advent, it's quite nice digging into my archive of paintings and prints.

Here is another large painting, full imperial, which means as big as the paper goes!!

Sharp Edge is seen dramatic and awe inspiring from the A66 but a climb up it's steep slopes in Winter is a real adventure, I take the easy route with views onto Sharp Edge.

Signed  A3 prints available

£65.00

Grandes Jorasses Pastel Print

Day Six

Art Advent

Grandes Jorasses

A big painting of a Grand view, painted with Pastels. I loved painting this stunning view, I sketched while skiing at Chamonix and then worked in the studio, lost in the pleasures of Mountain scenery

This painting is available as a limited edition A3 print

£65.00

Newlands Valley Art Advent

Day five Art Advent

Another favourite view 
Newlands valley from Latrigg painted in pastels.
Inspired after a walk up Latrigg to see the sunrays.

Painted with Unison Pastels on Pastelmat

Catbells from Walla Crag Print.

Day Four

Art Advent

Catbells from Walla Crag 

Painted in Pastels.

Perched on the top of this wonderful little fell with sketchbook and a flask of something warm, makes a very happy artist, especially if it's not windy.

Catbells print for sale through Etsy

Alpine retreat in watercolours

Day Three
Advent Art

Alpine Retreat

Painted in watercolours

One early morning before breakfast, I quickly grabbed the paints and painted this wonderful wonderland scene. I wanted to capture the feeling of a heavy snowfall, before it melted away. I like the simplicity, lots of unpainted paper and a limited harmonious palette. Magic moments like this don't happen often, so grasp them when they do.

Art advent Lanty's Tarn.

Day two Art Advent 

Lanty's Tarn

 Painted in Pastels.

 This special little Tarn above Glenridding, a short, little steep walk 

brings you to an oasis of charm.

 Painted on Pastelmat, these super pastel paper is a dream to work with.

I love soft light, water, trees and add reflections and I'm a very happy artist.

advent art calendar

Buttermere painted in watercolours.

Painting number One in my colourful art advent calendar.

Painted with a  limited palette of four shades.

Can you guess what they were?

 Ultramarine, Permanent Rose, Burnt Sienna and a touch of Gamboge

I love visiting Buttermere, it's always inspiring at any time of the year, a little difficult to get to when the snow is down, which makes it even more special.

Watercolours full of promise

Autumn Morning.

Painted in Watercolours.

A truly magical time of the year to paint, after the Greens of Summertime what a delight to have Warm bright coloured hues. Gaps in trees, not full of foliage, beautiful light and in the Lakes long and tempting reflections of days going by.

Misty mornings with valleys full of soft floating clouds, to not want to paint or capture this wonderful time of year would be such a shame.

This morning I received two wonderful Online paintings, both beginners but both well painted full of promise and eager for the next painting project. 

With feedback after each painting, I hope students take each new step with more confidence, that is one of the important keys to successful watercolour painting.

If you fancy joining my online watercolour class

Here is a link

https://janeward.co.uk/watercolourcourse/howitworks/

An American watercolor bargain.

I love a bargain, maybe it's because of my Yorkshire roots!

So while pondering over my first cup of tea, I thought now while the pound is rising and falling against the Euro and the Dollar, now is an ideal time for American  and European artists to sign up for the Online Watercolor course.

Are you new to watercolors? Do you fancy learning some new techniques from an English Landscape artist. Which colours suit the English Landscape and quite importantly how to create soft atmospheric mist which we see over here and is the essence of English watercolours.

My online courses contain six projects, each with a colour tag, sketch, step by step word document with many clear photo's and personal feedback on each project ( I find this is what each artist benefits and enjoys the most)

For more information https://janeward.co.uk/watercolourcourse/

Painting from the heart.

Langdales 

Painted in Oils on Canvas.

 While cycling along the shores of Ullswater, I realised, I've stopped trying to paint exactly what I see. I want to delve deeper, I want to paint the joy that I  feel, the sheer  drama that the Lake District portrays. 

It came like a bolt out of the Blue, what have I been doing all these years.

Learning... maybe I'm a slow learner, I do become a little obsessed with figuring things out.

Not going to art college, but just painting each day.

This is my latest painting of the Langdales, the Oils are back in favour, it's not often I say this but I do like this painting. If like me, you are never quite pleased with the outcome of some paintings, it is a lovely feeling when you keep going and having a quick glance in the art room to see the painting  happily smiling back.

I think what I'm trying to say is sometimes we need to let go and paint from the heart, not what is expected. 

Happy painting today, maybe let go a little and see what the outcome is.

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Pastel course

Misty Morning

Setting the scene
Morning Sail, was painted on an atmospheric day,  threatening rain clouds and soft mist in the mountains and a still reflected lake.

The horizon line is approx. 1/4 of the paper, this will aid a dramatic sky in the composition and create distance in the mountain scene.

 Colours were kept subdued working with tonal hues rather than exact colour shades, this will help to give a peaceful harmony to the painting.

Working on Fisher 400 pastel paper, this is project two on my online pastel course.
 It is a perfect course to start painting with pastels, with many handy tips, step by step instructions and clear photographs, materials explained  and above all personal feedback with each project and Video Demonstrations of each project. I have painted with Pastels for over twenty years, and find them such an exciting medium. 

Why not start painting pastels this Autumn and sign up to the Pastel Online course

The price of the course is £75.00 , there is no time limit to the course.

Painting from reference photographs

Ullswater Mooring

I think this would make a great reference photo for a watercolour painting.

These shouldn't be copied to every pixel, but used as an idea, or for scale.

The horizon of the lake could be moved lower to give more drama in the sky.

More detail could then be added to the boat.

I would ignore the canoeists, not that I dislike canoeists, I would want to create a sense of space and tell a story about the single boat.

The mountains could be painted with more atmosphere and misty conditions with wet in wet and plenty of water. The trees on the shore could give a strong tonal value against the light tones of the lake. This would add more drama to the painting.

I would also imagine a few more reflections under the gorgeous Red sailing boat.

The float could be masked out with masking fluid?

The lake could shimmer with a little wax added.

I would keep to a limited palette of around four to five primary colours Cadmium Red been a definite contender.

So all it needs now is paint to paper.

If you fancy joining my Online watercolour course with personal feedback

Here is a link for more information

Rambles with an artist Catbells

Catbells 

Start :Keswick Launch

Distance and Terrain : Four Miles on good fell paths, a steep short walk.

Catbells, possibly the most walked fell around Derwentwater made famous by Beatrix Potter in Tales of  Mrs Tigglewinkle. A super introduction into Lakeland walking, with stunning 360 degree views, this short but steep hill can be walked in a couple of hours without sketchbook and inspirational stops.

For aspiring artists the only way to start the Catbells ascent is by Launch from Keswick. Glide across the lake, view the mountain above picking out the path to the top and witness the reflected beauty of Derwentwater Lake. Make sure you have your camera at the ready for added wildlife of an Otter or Kingfisher. You may feel the need for a quick sketch, let the walkers go ahead and then you will have the peace of the mountain path to yourself.

The way ahead is upward in a steady ascent, through the wood and reach the cattle grid on the hairpin bends. You should see the small path heading up the mountain side, if the bracken is high you may need to look a little closer. 

Keep to the path and take plenty of stops to take in the views below and behind. Skiddaw,  the main bulk of mountain at the head of Derwentwater, it's partner in crime sitting proudly on the right is Blencathra, with Keswick nestling below.

The higher you climb and the views will reward. Newlands valley can be gazed on your right, as you walk along the ridge. Causey Pike the mountain with a nobbled top, along to Sail and the Coledale Horseshoe keep you company  Below in Newlands valley a tiny hamlet can be seen ' Little Town' made famous in Tales of Mrs Tigglewinkle. I wonder did Beatrix Potter  walked along this same path.

Take a well earned rest before the final ascent, the path becomes a  small rocky scramble but not for long and the summit will appear. A walk along Catbells any time of year will always inspire. You may have to share the top with other walkers, Sheep and even the odd Rook scavenging for left over sandwiches. A perfect place to get out the sketchbook.

When it's time to descend, take the path heading down towards the Lakeland head back along the lower Catbells terrace, with views at every step. The path can be seen before a stone wall that heads down to the lakeshore. Plenty of sketchbook stops next to the waters edge, silhouette scenes or Autumn colours even an odd boat or two gently moored in a secret cove.  

Cakes and Coffee will entice at the new Lingholm Kitchen and wall garden and afterwards you can catch the ferry back to Keswick.

Catbells 

painted in Oils

Grasmere painting course

Fancy a few days painting at Grasmere and Rydal Water?

A small group, finding perfect locations, inspiration will come naturally.

Staying at the Glenthorne based in a quiet area of Grasmere, yet minutes from the centre.

Watercolours for Beginners and Intermediate, ideal for those who have never painted on location, or for those that already know what joy it will bring.

Monday 8th to Thursday 11th August

One single en-suite place left

Full board and all tuition £395.00

email Jane for more details lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk

Pennine Fields in Acrylic

Pennine Fields painted in Acrylics

The Lake district is looking Green. Not just Green but hundreds of shades of Green.

 I was talking to a chap from Australia, who was visiting the Lakes. He couldn't believe how Green it was compared to the dry landscapes of Australia. I stated that as an artist we are sometimes overwhelmed by the 'Green!! His startled expression, made me realise, I need to saviour and appreciate the Green.

So with this in mind, I have opened my eyes to the Landscape at the moment. 

And indeed feel truly inspired. Especially the Green fields leading the way to the distant mountains.

I have lots of ideas buzzing around, from tonal values and textured foregrounds with colourful hints of wildflowers adding complimentary jewels.

Rambles with an artist Lantys Tarn

Lantys Tarn

Lantys Tarn painted in Pastels 

Start: Glenridding Gallery, Ullswater.

Three miles with approximately 530 feet of accent.

Walking boots recommended.

I was lucky the sun was shinning, skies of Blue and fabulous light, for this pretty trek up to lovely Lantys Tarn. This  easy fell walk  is suitable in just about any weather or season and time of day.

 It's a tarn that is like Marmite!!! It will either capture your heart or you will wonder where I see such beauty! I'm sure artists, photographers and poets all love it's simplicity and  peacefulness. Nestled between Scots Pines just off a well worn busy track to the summit of Helvellyn.

I started from the Glenridding gallery where you can see my painting of Lantys Tarn in pastel. Take the road between the shops and the quiet stream, which became a roaring river cascading down the fell side in the terrible floods of December 2015. Passing the Public Hall  on your right before the road turns into a track and begins this pretty walk through the wood, taking the left path sign-posted to Lanty’s Tarn, Helvellyn . If the light is right the stream is an interesting painting subject, or maybe a quick sketch. Watch out for a single yellow arrow pointing you left towards Lanty’s Tarn after the last pretty cottage, if you're quiet you may be lucky and see a Red Squirel.

The next section is the steepest on the walk, not very long and today with plenty of wild Foxgloves to stop, admire and catch the breath. I have decided that I think the Foxglove should be the flower emblem of The Lake District. What do you think? After the short steep section a wonderful bench appears like magic with stunning views across Ullswater. This could be another perfect sketch and we've not reached the tarn yet.

After contemplating the view from the bench, continue along the path, which, again briefly gets a little steeper, but with gorgeous views across to the surrounding fells, you will not notice. Reaching another gate DO NOT GO THROUGH IT, but bare left,  follow the path  sign-posted Striding Edge, Grisedale and head for the brow of the hill.  An oasis of trees can be seen down the path, a glimpse towards the secret tarn.

Here the sketching can begin, through the gate, which could make an ideal viewpoint with the old wall adding character. Stand and admire the fairyland pool, still water with reflected trees, drafts of light bring sparkle to the shallow tarn.

 On a day in  July,  clumps of soft hazy blue forget-me-nots grow on the waters edge adding a mystical feel. Decide whether to take the dry well walked path or the boggy barely trodden lake edge route, they both meet at the far end. It's probably there where the sketchbook will come out. A perfect place for a picnic or to enjoy the pure beauty of this Lakeland gem.

When you are ready to leave, the decision is yours either back the route you walked or after the tarn the path dips down a hill and, at about 300 metres, the path splits into two with a gate on each path. Views into the valley below will grab your attention with towering peaks in the ditance for the Wainwright bagger.

Take the left path and turn left and downhill after the gate. Head straight down the fell taking care on the steep accent with Sheep roaming and grazing all around. Head through the swing gate and onto the tarmac road heading right towards the main A592 Ullswater road passing a small caravan site next to the river. 

Turn left and carefully cross the road onto the pavement opposite. Continuing along past the Glenridding sign, with the lake coming into view taking the easy path through the trees. The path crosses back over the road and heads back to Glenridding  or a stopover at the lakeshore for a challenging sketch of colourful  rowing boats with many angles to get just right. I find a rough figure of eight can help with the shape. Or take the easy route and find a place for tea.

The Inn on the Lake is set in a stunning setting and Afternoon Tea is a total delight.