#335 'The South Downs' 30x50cm

I went back to the same area as last weeks painting. I wanted to do it again and really study the tonal values and colours. I am pleased with how it turned out.

I will be using this painting for an article I am writing to go into The Artist Magazine. The title of the piece is 'Colour & Aerial Perspective', it will be in the January 2019 edition. I have subscribed to the Artist Magazine on and off since way back in the 80's & 90's so I I am very pleased to fulfil a wish of writing and being in the Magazine :-) 

Back to the subject:
I really like this area to paint, The Trundle, South Downs and have done quite a few now so I want to push myself and try a bigger painting. I brought a 120cmx50cm canvas, it arrived and its huge!! I was tempted to go outside and try it, but I am not set up for such a big support on my easel. So I will prepare as much as I can with drawings and plein air studies and have ago in the studio and let you know how it works out!

I was standing right next to a bush covered in white flowers, there were bugs galore - spot the bee flying past in the photo!

#276 'Spire in the Mist" 10x12"

Gorgeous light when I arrived at the Trundle yesterday.  I liked the contrast of rich greens and strong shapes in the foreground to the soft pastels colours diffused by the mist on the horizon. You couldn't see the sea or Isle of wight and the land and sky merged as one.

I painted this scene before in August this year, it was mid summer where the colours and light were so different, see pic.

The bright contrasted day on the right to the hazy soft day on the left.

First time on a 10x12" board, nice size and feels a squarer format to the 8x10" I have been using.

I started on the horizon line and sky as it's what would change fastest and was important to the painting. Difficult to get the light quality, greyed out colour and very light in tone with the sky peachy and warm.

The Cathedral spire I added later, there was other stuff I could have added in the distance but this stood out as a good focal point (and landmark to those who know the area.)

The two people I also added at the end. I put them in and then tried to adjust them as I made them to big for the positioning. Back at the studio I wiped them and did them again with a few fresh marks best not to overwork figures as they look stiff. I spoke to the Mother and son when they came up the hill they were so chuffed to be in my painting :-)

The fence posts most were put down with a quick sweeping stroke same for the shadows too. Put too much effort on them and they look overworked and out of place.
I'm pleased with the end result!


Workshop News
For those who are fairly local to me I am starting to plan a Plein Air day workshop. It will be in this location (The Trundle, nr Goodwood) around May next year. Open to those who have had some experience of outside painting, limited to 8 places. Let me know if your interested and would like more information.

#270 'Morning Frost, The Trundle' 8x14"

I'm a bit behind with posting as I have three to put on, two snow paintings and this frosty one.
Took artist friend Sarah Manolescue for the first time to the Trundle. It was a gorgeous morning and she was wowed! I moved so I could get the sparkle on the sea in the distance and trees and shadows in the foreground. 
It was difficult to see the sky as it was washed out with the bright low sun. I wiped it off and repainted it when I got back to the studio. The sky tone had to be darker than the sea but lighter than the distant land. Using yellow in the sky and violet in the hills, complementaries working together.
Making the middle distant hills a green-blue colour and light in tone made it look like frost. The cows were tricky I hadn't put them in and the farmer turned up in his truck beeping his horn they all came running, so cute to watch. Feed time. I was pleased they did disperse again so I could paint them in - small and dark.