Morning Light

 

Morning light

watercolour on paper

7.25 x 11.25 inches

(12 x 16 inches mounted)

 

It was the light hitting the top of the long hedgerow on the right which made me want to paint this - along with the winter trees ! 

Cold but happy

 

A quiet February morning

watercolour on paper

5.75 x 7.75 inches

(10 x 12 inches mounted)

 

Almost alone save for a distant dog-walker, an unseen tractor behind me and a young inquisitive fox on the edge of the field. A soft wind, enough to rattle the drawing board on my easel, and a slight drizzle were not enough to dampen either paper or my enthusiasm for painting watercolour - despite being achingly cold.

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 !

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.