Thursday 28th April battling the elements Dinefwr

Today I knew it was a bit of a risk but I felt I had to get out and paint. the forecast was good until about midday and then rain. I got up early and then made my way to Llandeilo with my large pochade box. I met my sister and went up into the deer park in Dinefwr Park where there is a good view of the Towy Valley. I found my spot and set up to paint while she went off for a walk.

There was some blue sky and a really good view down the valley no wind and looking dry for a while anyway.

I didn't bother with a sketch and just got on painting as time might be short. I had got the board covered and the main features down when disaster, a strong gust of wind from nowhere took the box and board. I caught the board but my hand and palette smeared the painting adding yellows and greens to the sky amongst other things. 

The wind decided to stay and bitter it was. I repaired the painting as best I could and continued for a further 20 minutes before another strong gust lifted everything. I was cold and more importantly couldn't really proceed. I checked the sky and could see rain clouds coming up the valley. So I packed away quickly and made my way back to the car.

So I have a painting that is basically all there but needs finishing. 

Friday 1st April 2016 - Carmarthen on a Bitter Grey day

I took my box easel into town this morning and set up by PC World to get a view of the Bridge and County Hall. I put on a ground of yellow ochre and brushed in the composition in grey. It was bitterly cold and I spent an hour or so getting the painting done. I used a limited palette with no blue just black and titanium white with cad red, yellow ochre and cad yellow. I enjoyed painting it but I was glad to pack up as I was pretty much chilled to the bone despite scarf, hat, coat jumpers and boots..

Broadhaven South and Church Rock Wed. 30th March 2016

Okay so I had the chance to go to Pembrokeshire today. I was pleased to be out of the studio and also to test my new pochade box for the first time.  I parked at the car park at Broadhaven South and carried the gear down the steps not far but it was light enough much lighter than my easel box.
It took about 2 minutes to set up but no problems and the sand made for a good anchorage.

I got to work with a preliminary thumbnail sketch in my small sketchbook and then got on with it a quick outline with a brush and thin paint then painting directly.

There weren't many people on the beach but they all came to chat and see what was going on. I was painting in to the light but not much I could do about it other than squint occasionally.

Painting finished and the pochade box was a success. Few niggles when packing needs sorting out and a peg or something to stop the finished board sliding out otherwise yes ideal, a pochade box to hold 18 inch boards..

Laugharne 5th March 2016

So yesterday I went to Laugharne to get some references for a commission. I took my Jullian Easel as it was sunny and I had the opportunity to get some painting done while I was there.

I found a good view with the sun behind me and to the right. I used my easel as it was a short walk from the car and I had an 18" x 12" board. I used a ground and then did a quick sketch in my sketch book and then went in to the painting with a size 12 long brush roughing out the boundaries first.

Rain threatened but I ignored it and it went away. I had a few visitors who were all pleasant and complimentary. 

I had considered putting in one of the boats but decided the painting didn't need it. All went well anyway. The photograph of the finished painting could be better, but I wasn't going to do it again.

New Pochade Box progress.

I have been working on my new pochade box this week. Nearly done apart from some finishing details. It is meant to fit on top of a camera tripod with that little 1/4 inch screw. I have fitted it thus but remain to be convinced it will be sufficiently stable in practice. So I might yet get out the hacksaw and box of bolts. I also think the moveable parts in the tripod head are pretty superfluous add weight and unnecessary movement. Anyway it is still a work in progress but I am hoping it will do the job. 

Large Pochade Box

For what it is worth I thought I would share my progress with the new box. Having been out painting a few times this year I decided that the following were the requirements for the new box. Of course everything is a compromise and each artist will differ on their priorities for their equipment. Anyway here are mine.

1. Fits onto a basic camera tripod
2. Is not hugely expensive. Therefore made by myself
3. Is capable of being carried 2 miles with relative ease. Therefore no heavier that 3kg + contents
4. Can be assembled in app. 60 seconds
5. Can carry a primed board (painted or otherwise) safely size up to 18 inches x 14 inches
6.  Is reasonably stable and adjustable

So far the box and carrier which sits in the lid are made. The lid is detachable to bring it forward to avoid a 12-14 inch reach to the board when painting. I have used Pelcon detachable hinges. I tried all sorts of adjusting arms but settled for a simple system in the end.

The lid attaches to an arm on a pivot in the box and is held by two clamps using washer based wing nuts.

I am trying things out as I go and the process has worked so far. Overall weight is on target 2.6kg.

I have oredered what I hope is the appropriate tripod. In the end if I have to drill through and replace the camera mount for a more substantial bolt and clamp I will.

Cotswolds February 2016

I had a few days in Broadway and managed to get two paintings done. The first being of Boradway itself. I failed to really get a grip of the composition of the painting right from the off which led to as far as I am concerned a disappointing result. I was too keen to get painting and another couple of minutes thought would have paid dividends.

The second painting I did was of the Church at Childswickham. I used my pochade box as I had to carry it about 1.5 miles to get there. It was a cold and windy day. I had an idea of the view I wanted but when I got to the field I found it was too windy to set up for that view. The pochade box would have been blown over. I retreated to a spot near a stream running around the field sheltered by a large hedge.
I then spent a little time doing a pencil sketch in my book and then got on with the painting. I was keen not to repeat the same mstake again. I used a ground of Raw Sienna.

The sun had been out for the whole morning and was out until about 5 minutes into the painting.Then clouds... Still I had down the main tonal values and carried on. Then, I don't believe it someone lit a bonfire the other side of the hedge!! It was like bits of snow falling on me. After ten minutes or so the wind changed and I could breath again.

So all in all January and February have been okay. Cold and challenging but okay. I am working on my new pochade box currently.