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!

Can I have a look?

There's nothing quite like painting outside,

after a few weeks of relentless rain, it's such a wonderful feeling to get out and do some sketching. Needing only a few bits of equipment a pen or pencil and sketch book and your free to work anywhere, I spent a few hours on my favourite walk around Derwentwater stopping occasionally and capturing what inspired me, luckily my companion the 'duck' was not to critical.

2009 Dates

Can't believe September is here, I've just organised next years courses, It's a enjoyable job thinking of the places to go to paint,imagining the glorious weather we will be having! and remembering courses from this year, funny stories and little mishaps. Painting is a never ending learning process and a wonderful hobby. I'm about to start running an evening class for beginners in Watercolour in Keswick which is always alot of fun.

Golfing Brollies

I've spent the last few days sketching and painting in heavy rain showers, but with the help of a golfing brolly it can be a wonderful experience! The brolly is propped on the floor over your knees and the precious work of art, you can work quite easily avoiding the raindrops, but experiencing wonderful atmospheric conditions perfect in watercolour. Derwentwater was calm and reflective and the Otters have been seen again playing and swimming in one of the coves.

Knowing when it's finished.

Worked today on Friars Crag, I'm still getting to know my 'Wallis paper' from USA and I was a little worried that I had covered too much of the tooth of the paper with Acrylic paint, but no it was a joy to work with, I love working with an under painting, I think that you are more aware of colour and colour complementary. I worked so enthusiastically that I finished the painting and managed to frame it up ready for my exhibition at Moot Hall at the end of the week. Knowing when a painting is finished is sometimes a feeling that you just know 'that's it' or it can be a battle as to now when to stop, I sometimes take a digital photo and look at it on the camera or PC or look at it through a mirror but I always put it on the floor with a mount around and view it from about 2 feet away.

Rain showers

Another warm day in the Lake District but rain showers kept me in my studio, I decided to have a go at Friars Crag on Derwentwater, in pastels but with an acrylic base painted onto Wallis pastel card, I had it shipped over from USA which was a change from walking down to the local art shop. Using Hermes P400 for the last 14 years or so it's very exciting to find a paper of equal standard if not better!!! One of the main advantages is putting an underpainting on without disturbing the surface of the glass paper.