Monday 21 April 2014

Jam jar and Daisies

Jam Jar and Daisies
Painted in watercolours
Another go at this hard little still life, trying to capture glass and beautiful blooms
Winsor violet, permanent Rose and lemon yellow all played main roles . I have some new Saunders Waterford paper ordered let's see if it makes a difference.

Fancy joining my online watercolor course it's suitable for beginners who would like to learn the art of this amazing meduim www.watercolourcourse.co.uk


Sunday 20 April 2014

Morning Shadows, Chamonix


Morning Shadows, Chamonix.
Painted in Watercolours.
Size 12 x 21 inches
For Sale

I love watching the shadows light up the mountain range in a morning, it's like a light been turned on very slowly. Cobalt Blue, Permanent Rose and Warm Orange all played a big part of this painting. 
The Aguille Vert again is catching my eye. 
This morning it started very different. A cloud inversion covered all the view, then like magic the clouds started to left and all was revealed, but again a joy to watch, but at -1 a little chilly.
Next week the view will change and you may recognise a few Lakeland fells hopefully been captured in watercolours in bright sunshine!



If you would like to paint in watercolours with a little guidance along the way

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Daisies and Buttercups in watercolor Demonstration


As you know I do at times struggle when painting flowers. I don't know why? They are just shapes and colours no different to anything else!! Well not really I want to give them the delicate form of petals, transparent bright colours and pure beauty. Not an easy task!
Above you can see my preparation of attack.
Saunders Waterford 140lb paper

Winsor Blue, Quinacridone Rose, Winsor Violet, 
Cadmium Yellow and Transparent Yellow
You may notice two little wooden egg cups of pure colour ready to be poured on.
A new tactic, with the help of the waterspray.


 Primary colours of Yellow, Rose and Winsor Blue were allowed to merge freely on the paper. 
Secondary shades of Orange and Green developed. Notice the Daisies had been masked out first and a little light on the Jam Jar to save the white paper.


 Dark tones of Green and Winsor Violet painted in a negative way helped to form the flowers and Jam Jar. Some areas were softened with water.


 More flowers are added thinking of tonal values, I often applied paint and then removed it, then added some real juicy darks to show depth. Transparent Glazes helped to bring flowers forward.Masking was removed when all the paint was dry. Pale shadows helped to shape the Daisies. Most of all I had an afternoon of fun practising new techniques.



Daisies and Buttercups in Watercolour

If you fancy learning  some new techniques and would like to join my online course
send me an email lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk


Saturday 12 April 2014

Spring time in Chamonix


I feel like a headless chicken running around not knowing where or what to paint.
I've spent hours staring at the ever changing Chamonix view. But this morning the paints came out and the brushes jumped into to action. I had sketched the scene the previous morning. The light changes the shadows on the mountains very quickly, so I gave myself a time slot from 10.30 to 11.45am. Otherwise the shadows and light would be in different places, I'm a fairly slow painter but today I got a move on!!



To complicate matters, the clouds started to build up and suddenly when I looked up to check colours, my mountain ridge had disappeared from view. Time to put the brush down and carry on tomorrow at 10.30!




Spring seems to have happened overnight here in the Alps, the snow is melting, with  trees and blossom starting to bloom. Butterflies and Bees are busy finding pollen in Daffodils, Primroses and Winter Jasmine. The skis have been swapped for the bicycles and here I am on our first bike outing making my way, slowly I must say up the Col Montets. We cycled this pass last August, but with no snow on the way





Sunshine and Blossom



Tuesday 8 April 2014

Aiguille Verte in Watercolour


Evening light, Aiguille Verte, Chamonix

Painted in Watercolours

Size 12.5 x 10 inches For Sale unframed

A little mountain or in this case Big mountain facts

Aiguille Verte (Green Needle)
4,122 metres 
First climbed in 1865 by English mountaineer and illustrator
 Edward Whymper who two weeks later made the first ascent of the Matterhorn.

If you would like to purchase this original watercolour 
just email me for more details lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk


Friday 4 April 2014

The joy of Watercolor


 Pointe Percee from the Grand Massif
Painted in Watercolours
For sale

Things have been a bit hectic over the last week but before I tell you my exciting news.
Here is 'Pointe Percee' I'm pleased with my latest watercolour and feel that I have learned a few lessons over the last couple of months painting here in the Alps. It's a brave thing saying 'I'm pleased'

The lessons I learned

1. Keep it simple, leave out detail have beautiful colourful washes, this is the joy of watercolour
2. Soften with misty areas.
3. Cobalt Turquoise is a wonderful colour but can be very opaque and creates muddy shades, use neat to give Zap
4.Use the brush!! Not just loaded with paint softly painting, sometimes dry and aggressive.varied brushstrokes
5. Use  lots of  tonal values.

I've had some fantastic comments lately from students doing the online watercolour course. It's so good to see paintings from students who have barely painted before or had a gap from painting, hearing there comments and most of all seeing them improve with confidence and new skills.
Giving personal feedback and helpful tips on each individual painting in the six projects is one of important factors.
For me been inspired daily by amazing scenery and light is something I love to share and sitting here today writing this blog I have a new view to show  you.



Fantastic.
 The view from Les Houches to Chamonix valley, my new home for a few month if you would like 
 
If you would like to join the online watercolor course
just send me an email and we can get painting straight away