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.