Winter at Tarn Hows

I think Autumn is over and Winter's begun, I'm going by my painting clock! I want to paint snowy tops, all those Autumn leaves have now blown away. I really enjoyed painting this picture of 'Tarn Hows' I kept a limited palette, no Ultramarine Blue for snow shadows, which is the colour I nearly always use. Prussian was the only Blue I used, it is a vicious colour but hopefully handled with care won't bite. 

Tarn hows is one of  the six  projects on my Watercolour Course,

For more details www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Day five 'Little Cumbria'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p005739j/Ian_Timms_27_11_2009/

Day five of 'little Cumbria' I'm on at about 44 minutes into the programme.

Just a quick hello today woke to snow on the mountain tops and sunny skies, feels like Winter is here.

Every picture tells a story

Halfway through a watercolour of Tarn Hows and I'm feeling positive about it. I just happened to look down at my desk and thought blimey heck how can you work like this!But I heard yesterday that creative people do need a little disruption!
So here is the story of my table RUBBER HAMMER used for banging in rods on paper stretcher also travels on trips to Italy, cleaners in hotel rooms look on hammer with mystification! PHOTO'S OF FRIARS CRAG, used for demo at Penrith. HALF EMPTY CUP OF COFFEE and GLASS OF WATER water used for painting, coffee for drinking sometimes can be mixed up, brushes dipped in coffee and sips of diluted paint drunk! ACRYLICS used on Tuesday at Millbeck painting group Acrylic 1/2 finished painting, sat on floor wondering if it is wanted or if a trip to the bin could be eminent.COLOUR SHAPER found after been lost in pastel box for 3 months great for applying masking fluid. 3 SKETCH BOOKS, NO 4! One nearly full, One started on, and one brand new and one given as a present from students in Italy.

Now must get back to painting of Tarn Hows and ignore sobs from Acrylic gone wrong!
Here is day three of 'little Cumbria'
I'm on at 43 minutes into the programme
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0055syh/Ian_Timms_25_11_2009/

Day two Radio Cumbria

With the wind howling and driving rain I set off to Penrith art club, it's about 17 miles along the A66 I wondered if anyone would be venturing out, but there were quite a few keen artists, we are obviously made of strong stuff. It's the 1st time I've demonstrated with a video, projector and even a sound system. I do a great impression of an Ostrich, I put my head in the sand and try not to think too much about it until, the hour finally dawns. Now that doesn't mean I don't put any thought into it or work, it's just I don't think about all those faces looking towards me, I'm quite a shy person, believe it or not. Anyway once fitted with the gear and standing up in front of everyone, fear only hit for a minute or two. The demo seemed to go well and Penrith art club were a real friendly and enthusiastic bunch.Fisher 400 paper is a joy to work with and it's great demonstrating something new to artists. I'll let you in to a little secret in my mind I did think about doing a little dance and song routine with the gear on, but catching a ladies eye, I could see she may be impressed with my art ability but definitly not with my singing skills.


Here's day two of 'Little Cumbria' I'm on at 49 minutes into the programme


http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00559yx/Ian_Timms_24_11_2009/

Jane on 'Little Cumbria' Day One

I mentioned last week about been asked to do 130 words about what I do in an average day, I then went into the studio and recorded it, that was the frightening bit, but it turned out to be great fun. So with the wonders of the internet, here is Day one of 'Little Cumbria'. If the wonders work you should be able to hear it!!

 www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0054y6p/Ian_Timms_23_11_2009/


It works!! For those who know me I'm sure your having a bit of a giggle!

Battling against the weather

I had a walk down to the lake yesterday, in full mountain gear, luckily most Keswicans have full outdoor protective clothing, it was quite shocking seeing how far the lake came up. This is the ticket office on your right. The launch company moored  two of their boats on the side of Derwent Island, out of the full force of the wind to protect these lovely old Launches.

Underwater jetties

Walked to the end of Friars Crag battling against the weather, as you can see another storm was brewing down Borrowdale.Today I've been getting ready for Penrith art club evening demonstation. I'm quite looking forward to it, mind they are videoing it onto a big screen so everyone can see! I hope there won't be a time delay! It could be a bit off putting ,I've had a go at the painting I will demonstrate it's on 'Fisher 400' with pastels but I'm using it with water!

Start on the Ark, Noah.

The met office was right, the weather has been horrible today  the last bad flood was in 2005 but I think this is worse. I cancelled my Christmas card workshop two ladies were stranded at home and when I nipped to the shop to get the mince pies I realised that it was just stupid to try and get to the hall most of the roads in and out of Keswick are shut due to floods. My poor friend Jason Chambers the photographer as been flooded and had to leave his house, we are lucky where we live (I hope anyway) and live on higher ground. Will keep you posted on the conditions, feel sad for everyone who's been flooded.

Sky Tv reporting on the flood Penrith road.

In the park, the new ticket and plant office.

Where you get the tickets for the launch and the holiday cottage.

Looking down Penrith road.

High Hill, should be named low hill! the river is coming over the wall here