"Evening in the Bay" watercolour painting

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I painted this watercolour last night.  For the sky I used a photograph for reference I had taken a few months previously from my bedroom window.  It's always useful to carry your camera with you wherever you go.  You never know when something may catch your eye and come in useful further down the line.

Having done the sky, the landscape I just made up as I went along.  I'd have to say this type of scene is probably my favourite one to paint.  I love estuaries and waterways and being by the sea.  Adding a lone yacht offers not only a focal point, but also a chance to fantasize of sailing the ocean waves.

Well that's it now for a week.  I'm off to Cornwall tonight for a break.  Back soon.

Winter on the River Wye watercolour painting

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This nice little composition I found on the Ron Ranson website.  It's a cosy little corner of the River Wye set in winter.

I've tried to get a little variation in the tree by using some neat dollops of Raw Sienna.  I much prefer using fresh watercolour paint straight out of the tube but the problem is I use a lot more paint.  What I tend to do as a compromise is squeeze the paint into rectangular shapes on my palette and then leave it to dry.  It's then like having extra large pans to get lots of rich colour on your brushes.

I've used a limited palette of just Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber and Ultramarine Blue.

Art and St Ives

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What a magnificent view!  This was the view from our flat the last time we stayed in St Ives in Easter.  The weather was mixed but that did nothing to spoil the glorious panoramic view from our door step.

I must remember to take my little watercolour travel bag this time and try to capture some of the character of the place.

As well as the Tate, there are something like 60 galleries scattered amongst the narrow cobbled streets.

Sunset in Hawes watercolour painting

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Well hopefully the rain has eased off for a while now.  I'm off to St Ives Saturday and can't wait.  I'll post a photo of where we stayed Easter in St Ives later, the views were magnificent.

Back to the painting, this is one I did last night once the Panoramio gremlins had gone.  I must say I'm getting very much into this Panoramio site.  Stuck in the middle of Birmingham I don't get to see many glorious vistas of lakes and mountains.  Anyone with a similar problem and in need of inspiration, I'd recommend a look.  They've got photos from all around the world, it's like having the whole planet at your fingertips.

This painting was from a photo of a sunset in Hawes in Yorkshire.  It's a little different to what I normally do but to be honest I can't decide whether I like it or not.  It's OK but doesn't really convey the drama from the photo.  In saying that, I've only been painting 3 years and may be asking a little too much of myself.

Painting trees for me seems to be hit and miss.  It can be frustrating when you mean to leave gaps in the foliage where you can see the twigs and branches but end up with a solid block of colour and an unrealistic looking tree.

Anyway, must dash and find something else to paint!

East Laroch, Highland, Scotland watercolour painting

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I only used 3 colours for this painting - Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber and Ultramarine.  I really like limiting the palette this way, getting a moody looking image with harmonious colour throughout.

The foreground rocks were put in with a few quick scrapes of a credit card.

I'd love to be the sailor in the distance.  I can never resist having a lone boat on the horizon.

It's crossed my mind recently to hire a motorhome and tour around the Scottish Highlands, though I'm not sure the rest of the household would have the patience to endure all the driving.  It may turn into a future solo pursuit.

Watercolour painting of Beckermonds, North Yorkshire

I found this lovely photo of Beckermonds in North Yorkshire on Panoramio and couldn't resist doing a watercolour.

 

The old stone walls have great character, I must get up there one day.

Watercolour Painting Towards Screes from Wasdale Head

I've never been to this part of the Lake District but from the photo I saw on Google Maps I just had to have a go at it.

Many of my paintings of the last few weeks have been of either Lake District or Scotland.

I've never been to Scotland but I intend to rectify that someday soon.