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

Rambles with an artist Sheffield Pike, Ullswater

The name Seldom Seen caught my imagination for this  beautiful walk in Ullswater.

 The pretty bay of Mossdale, just south of Aira Falls is a starting point and a truly tempting viewpoint for any artist with stunning classic Lakeland views.

  My aim and fell top  was Sheffield Pike a much quieter fell than it's famous neighbours but at 2232 feet quite imposing with lofty  360 degree views of Lakeland and towards the Pennines.

'Seldom Seen' are ten miners cottages sitting snugly on the fell side cradled by Glencoyne wood. Each with a long garden some full of Daffodils and with views down to Ullswater.

The walk takes you though the edge of the wood, beside the old wall quickly gaining height and entering into a peaceful Lakeland walk.

A decision needs to be made, the artist can either take the easy route up Nick Head following the side of the fell to the craggy top, or the more elevated, rockier route towards Heron Pike and then along the South east ridge to the summit top.

I love a bit of drama in my Lakeland paintings so the Lofty approach was taken.

At last Spring sunshine and all around paintings ideas can be brought together. The peacefulness of this valley helps to give inspiration while the slog up the fell side promises stunning views.

Sheffield pike is seen, or so I thought, the bright Ochre Green grass against the rich textured Umber bracken and a Rowan tree all bathing in sunshine.

The view behind has crept up, while we made our way to the top. Ullswater stretching out a perfect shape for the artist to capture, a lead in towards the Snow covered Pennine tops.

Glimpses of Glenridding village can be seen with High Street in the background and towards Red Screes and St Sunday Crag. This would fill any  mountain artists appetite and a perfect place to stop and sketch. Sandwiches and Hot flask are necessary to make the journey more enjoyable.

A marshy top with a few tarns, help to create an interesting foreground and with spectacular 

Striding Edge in the distance, what more do you need.

The descent is an easy path down Nick Head with plenty of views to enjoy of Ullswater and cuddly characters along the way.

A visit to Glenridding Gallery is a must and also Tea and Cake to end a beautiful walk  in Gleridding

A walk to Red Tarn

With the snow still on the fells and mild conditions approaching I decided to make a visit to Red Tarn. Number One Art Critic thought we were heading out for a quiet walk, not a true Winter Artic experience. We made out way up the snow covered fells, sometimes waist deep in places. The rescue helicopter was hovering above Helvellyn making you very aware of the dangers ahead.

With winds blowing strongly in our face all the way to the Tarn. I wondered if we may get some shelter there for a sandwich and quick sketch!

The Tarn was nearly fully frozen with temperatures feeling like -10 at least and the wind even stronger, no sketches were going to be done here. But what a stunning wild place to be. It was difficult enough just holding the camera still.

 

A group deciding to do Swirral Edge, not for us today we are here just for the views

We retreat back to the 'Hole in the wall' but still the wind is strong and snow clouds are rolling in.

Looking back down the valley towards St Sundays Crag, I love the light shinning though the clouds. 

 

 

 

We found the wall hidden in the snow drift and dug our way through.

Out of thee snow level and Ullswater  appeared bathed in Sunshine, Wow what an inspiring walk.

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