Watercolour Painting in a thunderstorm

A perfect Blue day, not a cloud in the sky, lets go painting I thought. I'll ask a friend if she would like to come. I described the place where I had in mind, not far away, a bench with a view I said. There could be rain this afternoon she said but was still  keen. It was to be a first outdoor painting experience for one of us.
We arrived at the bench with a view, settled down and declared a perfect place to capture the scene.

Sketches and thumbnails decided the composition, colours were picked and tried on scraps of paper.

A rain drop landed.

Mist rolled in.

The wind picked up.

We gazed ahead it's only a shower I declared forever the optimist.

Painting started play, the sky was washed in, raindrops helped the wet in wet.

The mist opened and a glimmer of a snowy peak came into play.

The rain got heavier, Umbrellas came fast into action.

A tree above helped with cover.

The thunder roared above

 Lightening lit the sky

We are under a tree, trusty friend said in a shaky voice.

Another loud rumble from above.

I don't think it's near I said with the Umbrella keeping the precious painting dry.

I can't believe we've sat and painted in this said trusty friend.

But it's been fun.

We need to come back and finish our paintings, but the dilemma is do we wait for a storm approaching or paint the field of flowers in the foreground on a sunny day.

Part two will follow.

Buttercups, Daises and Cranesbill in watercolours

 I've had five four days painting Buttercups and other little beauties. Working with a limited palette on each and trying to master 

A: The glass

B:Buttercups

And C bringing it all together. 

Van Goff painted numerous Sunflowers and after a week of  flowers, I'm ready to chop an ear off!!

Only joking just the joys of Watercolour so I share with you my four days.

 Day Two 

'One Daisy'

A wet approach and deeper colours.

Day Two

'Three Daisies'

A softer approach and a dunk in the sink.

Day Three

'Abondance of Flowers'

A bigger Jar and Cobalt Violet introduced.

Day Four

'Buttercups in a Glass'

The Jam Jar was replaced by a glass, don't think it did help much.

So I look forward to hearing what you think and a Mountain scene is on the cards for next week.

If you fancy having a go at Watercolours, 

spending a few hours painting and following easy step by step instructions,

Check out my website.

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Col de colombiere

Leaving Le Repsoir (the resting place)

After a mixed bag of weather a stunning day beckoned and today we would cycle the mighty Col de Colombiere from Sconzier. I did not know quite what was in store I imagined hairpin bends, snow topped mountains and a lengthy pink faced ride. With 1150 metres to climb and a ten mile ride to do, it would be our hardiest Col climb in the Haute Savoie.

Beautiful Blue skies are shining down as we leave the pretty village of Repsoir. Many cyclists in 'Tour de France' fancy gear started cycling along and we somehow found ourselves in the middle of a Sportive cycle race. I was a little upset not to have a number and a pink or yellow jersey on!

Up the gruelling road, passing Donkeys and Cows and hundreds of wild flowers. With not much traffic on the road it was perfect cycling and at my speed watching the world pass by.

Along come some of the leading Peleton, I'm a few seconds behind the Yellow jersey. Number One Art Critic is in front with the camera.

A few shots to show the beauty of this Alpine region.

Mountains behind, buttercups and Campions in front but I'm digging deep as a Contender for the jersey passes by.

Now this looks a delightful photo, and I thought 'I can see the top from here, ten minutes and I'll be there'

The top is on the skyline in the middle dip and in reality as I well know now is two miles away and it's a brutal nasty 10 % climb all the wretched way to the top. But still beautiful!!!

A last few hairpins to go, and along comes the contender for the polka dot title, Jane is leading the way and the Frenchman wearing the full gear comes alongside, but Jane sees the finish line and will not let the spotted jersey go, she pushes the pedals with her last bit of strength and crosses the finish line with Frenchman in second place.

The crowds cheer on the top of the Colombiere, well not really they were having their photo's taken!!

On the podium

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Daises and Buttercups in a Jam Jar in Watercolours

From Buttercups in a jam jar, here are Daisies in a Jam jar, well two daisies!

Stretched on Arches watercolour paper.

Colours used Winsor Violet, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Yellow, Danial James Phthalo Turquoise and English Red Ochre and a touch of Permanent Rose of course.

I applied very wet washes of neat Permanent Yellow to the Daises and buttercups.

I let the turquoise mix run into the yellow on the paper for the stems.

A watery mix of Winsor Violet with a hint of Permanent rose was used for the lovely puple flowers I have yet to name!

Ultramarine and Permanent rose was used in a very transparent wash on the white petals of the Daises

The jam jar was painted with all the above washes, I tried to leave patches of white in places .

A damp brush was used to take out colour for, the water level in the jam jar and also some of the stems inside the jar.

A shadow colour was applied using Winsor Violet and a touch of Ultramarine.

Buttercups and Daisies in a Jam Jar

9 x 9 inches

www.watercolourcourse.co.uk

Sixt Fer a Cheval

Sixt Fer a Cheval

Painted in Pastels

Size 13 x 19 inches

For Sale

I've been working on this Pastel for some time, it was quite a challenge but really enjoyable to paint these lofty Alpine peaks.This is the view as you approach the Cirque Cheval from Sixt and it is a truly amazing view. I hope you like it.

Abondance Cattle painted in Watercolours and Pastels

'Abigail'

Painted in Watercolours and Pastels
Size 12.5 x 12 inches

Price £125 unframed

Really enjoyed splashing around with the watercolours using strong tones and keeping negative areas 

untouched with paint. Using the brush to guide me instead of a pencil mark and painting at a tremendous speed. 

Next came the pastel, when all was dry and just a small box of inscribe soft pastels 

Pinks, Lilacs, Ochres and Siennas.

You may wonder why Abigail? a friend of mine was a Herdsman from Yorkshire and gave all his cattle female names, often ladies he thought attractive and in the field there was a Demi, Angeline and Marilyn all grazing happily. And so I thought I would start with 'A' 

Abondance Cattle and wild strawberries

Here are a few images that caught my eye on a walk around the Block. I did have the art gear with me at the time, but couldn't make my mind up on 'What to paint' and be it Pastels Watercolours or Oils. 

So I just enjoyed gazing and thinking. So here are a few thoughts on what could be future paintings.

A window sill in loose watercolours with Geraniums sitting brightly in pots and old walking Boots under the seat.

Abondance Cattle the makers of Reblochon Cheese, I have two ideas one a loose watercolour of just a Abondance Cow, maybe even adding a touch of pastel.

 Cows under the tree and far distant meadows below painted in Oils.

Couldn't resist this little chap maybe an Oil or watercolour

Another colourful watercolour study, this little wood pile is at the bottom of our road, if you look closely you will see all the wild strawberries growing amongst the wall flowers