A Painting of Llansteffan Castle from The Green 15th December 2016

It has been a while since I have been outside to paint Mid November in fact. With commissions and other work it has been busy. Anyway I posted a painting Wednesday have one more commission to be collected and that's it.

So yesterday I checked the weather it was dry but cloudy with rain coming in after lunch. I had wanted to get to the Brecon Beacons but I wouldn't have time. I would have to go somewhere nearer. I therefore grabbed my large pochade box, tripod, glasses, coat and jumped in the car. When I arrived at Llansteffan I had a view in mind. However the Gods of old age had got to me again! I had picked up a tripod but it was for my other pochade box with a different fitting. I knew I didn't have time to go back for it so looked for a resting place for the box. The box has a large fitting on the base so is pretty wobbly when used like this. Anyway found a picnic bench with a view.

I always stand to paint but on this occasion I had to sit and make do. I had taped a small board onto my easel. I then started with burnt sienna and turps.

I then came in with muted colours with medium keeping a watch on the sky for evidence of rain. 

I managed to complete the work before the rain so a fairly successful day if not what I had originally intended..

Field of Longhorn Cattle Cotswolds - Friday 11th November 2016

It has been a mixed November and I have had commissions to work on however we got away to the Cotswolds for a week or so. I was taken by a field of Longhorn cattle in a field overseen by a large pine tree. It was wet at the time but I promised myself I would return early the following morning if the weather was alright.
Come the morning there had been a heavy overnight frost and the temperature was down to -3 but as heavy rain was forecast later I grabbed my large pochade box and paints, wrapped up and walked down to the field.

The sun came out and I set up with an idea of the composition and got a start then suddenly the cattle had gone! The field has a dip on the far side and they decided to go for a wander rather than let me paint them.

Anyway I continued and half an hour later they returned to the brow sufficient to let me finish. Although the sun was out my hands were literally freezing (fingerless gloves next time).

Ludlow Castle - Dinham Bridge and the River Teme - 8th October 2016

Last week Alex and I went to Ludlow. I wanted to get a good view of the Castle with the River Teme. The walk was about 2.5 miles from our camper so I took the small pochade box, which was a shame as a larger painting would have been ideal. Never mind I could carry this there and back (with a stop for a drink of warm beer). 

I found a good spot with the Dinham Bridge in the foreground and set up deciding to tie Jac to a bench as there were a lot of people and dogs about. 

I started with a few brush strokes deciding to put the top of the bridge between one third and a half up the composition. This allowed for the bridge, river and all the castle above it with room for the sky.

Everything went pretty well. A lot of people stopped to chat and I eventually realised I was going to be late meeting up with Alex if I were to finish it. I had a couple of details left to do and sign it, but 99% done. However I decided it was more sensible not to be late meeting Alex than finishing completely. When I got back to the camper I finished it off and signed it.

Saundersfoot Beach - 2nd October 2016

Yesterday Alex and I took my sister and Jac to Saundersfoot for her birthday lunch. After fish and chips I spent an hour on the beach with my small pochade box. The ladies took Jac for a walk. 

I found a suitable subject and got on with it. 

Trees in mid morning light - 21st September 2016

For this painting I chose a view I liked but had to compromise with the light. I really wanted to paint contra jour, "against the daylight" but that was behind me so I painted the view and swapped the light source. This would give me a softer feel to the painting.The board I wanted to use was smaller than the slots in the pochade box so I taped it onto a piece of 3mm light ply cut to size.

You can see how I started with no pencil drawing on the board just some loose brush strokes.

I then worked down and had no problems except the head of my tripod has become loose which makes the pochade box and board sway like a ships mast in a gale so thats the next job!

Newton House Dinefwr Park 8th Sept 2016

Not the best of conditions to paint yesterday. I did however take the opportunity to take my small pochade box to Dinefwr Park. We were visiting my sister in Llandeilo and while the ladies went shopping I sat on a bench and fought with a strong breeze.

I confess I prefer to paint in a larger size but it is not always possible. The tripod would have blown down so I had the small box on my knee. I had a couple of interested viewers but the most enthusiastic was a springer spaniel who rushed up and leapt on the bench, which was a bit of a distraction but no harm done.

Anyway enough excuses I did the painting before some spots of rain hastened my finishing. The Hall in the distance is Newton House and there are white long horn cattle under the trees in the distance.

Towy Valley and Paxton's Tower from Dryslwyn Castle - 7th September 2016

It was a perfect afternoon yesterday so Jac, Alex and I went to Dryslwyn Castle. I had intended to do a painting of the valley looking East towards Llandeilo, however I changed my mind when I saw cattle drinking from the Towy and did a scene looking West towards Llanarthne.

There was a bit of a breeze but I was fairly sheltered but still had to hold the easel occasionally.

Everything was pretty straightforward. I painted in a few guidelines and got to it, putting in the sky and moving downwards then adding detail. 

It is tempting when you get back to the studio to work on plein air paintings. I know people have different views on this. I have so far resisted the temptation to change anything other than remove the odd fly or sand.