Friday 30 January 2015

Studio work

 
Down by the riverside
watercolour on paper
11.75 x 17.75 inches
(18 x 24 inches mounted)
 
This is a studio piece from smaller studies and sketches which I did on site recently.
Today's wet and windy weather and the absence of heating engineers seemed to be a good opportunity to get on with it !

Thursday 29 January 2015

No Escape

 
Three Oranges
watercolour on paper
8.75 x 12.75 inches
(14 x 18 inches mounted)
 
I've been forced to stay inside recently while a long awaited new boiler was installed -  a process which took longer than expected. Still  Life time then, and these handy oranges helped to keep me sane while carpet and floorboards were ripped up. (Something to do with the electrics).

Monday 26 January 2015

Not what I intended

 
Lane near Taynton
watercolour on paper
7.25 x 11.25 inches
(12 x 16 inches mounted)
 
Rain prevented me from painting what I had originally intended this morning (an old barn which I discovered on a walk over the weekend), so I painted this from the car before returning home to prepare for my weekly class tomorrow.

Friday 23 January 2015

Three degrees under

 
Minus three degrees
watercolour on paper
7.25 x 11.25 inches
(12 x 16 mounted)
 
It was minus three degrees when I set off this morning and it didn't take long to find an irresistible view - actually there were any number of views crying out to be painted.
 
 
The washes were actually freezing on my metal palette, but I managed to prevent them from becoming too slushy by putting an old theory to the test. I had added a drop of brandy to the painting water before I set out and it seemed to work ! Do oil painters have such problems, I wonder?
 
 
Fallen tree
watercolour on paper
7.25 x 11.25 inches
(12 x 16 inches mounted)
 
I am often asked how I know when a painting is finished. The answer today when I reached this point in "Fallen tree" was easy - My fingers were so cold I could no longer grip my paintbrush. Time to finish - Simple!
I don't know that I have ever been quite so cold and so happy...
 
 


Thursday 22 January 2015

Calm waters

 
Calm water
watercolour on paper
7.25 x 11.25 inches
(12 x 16 inches mounted)
 
This morning I went for a walk across the meadows to the little river which meanders slowly through the landscape. The early morning fog was just lifting as I set up my easel and began sketching in the main elements of this peaceful scene.
Two dogs appeared from nowhere chasing each other excitedly and just as I was fearing for the safety of my easel they performed a mid-air U-turn and disappeared back to their owners whose voices hung clearly in the air two fields away.
Painting trees in a winter landscape is one of life's greatest pleasures even when one is swathed in five layers of clothing ! Nature has a way of spreading a calming influence over all and rejuvenating the soul.

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Cold and wet




 
Edge of the field.
watercolour on paper
5.75 x 7.75 inches
(10 x 12 inches mounted)
 
 
Just as I was ready to go out painting this morning, the Heavens opened. Not good news when using watercolour ! Took the car to the tiny hamlet of Wyck Rissington and pulled into the side of the road to paint this small "Edge of the field"
 
At least I could have the car heater on. We have had no heating at home for the past month. Hopefully a new boiler is being installed tomorrow...

Monday 19 January 2015

Sun in January



 
January morning
7.25 x 11.25"
watercolour on paper
 
Despite near freezing temperatures, the sun provided enough warmth to be able to perch in the corner of a field within walking distance of my home to paint this quick sketch.