Dinefwr Castle - from the Deer Park 13th July 2016

Today promised to be dry and sunny so I packed the car put Jac in the back and made my way to Llandeilo. There is a nice view of Dinefwr Castle I wanted to do from the Deer Park. When we got there it was predictably colder and windier than would have been perfect but can't complain. The conditions were pretty good. I started by washing over a partial ground of yellow ochre and turps then drew in the boundaries of the castle skyline and trees with burnt umber and turps et voila away we go. 

Jac in the meantime had gone for a good walk with my sister around the estate. So a pleasant tiime was had by all.

July 6th 2016 - Druidstone Beach

We had to go down to Pembrokeshire today so I took the opportunity to get a painting done on the beach at Druidstone. I have done a couple of Druidstone before. It is a place we like and have camped here a few times. Things went okay other than I forgot my glasses! Still it turned out okay and Jac had a good run/swim.

Afterwards we went and had lunch at Druidstone Hotel on the cliff. So a nice day all round.

Cirencester Camp Site 9th June 2016

We have been away for a couple of weeks the weather was hit and miss but the first couple of days were good and alex asked me to do a painting of our motorhome. It is getting on and will soon be a classic. Nevertheless we love it and it can carry everything we need and take us around the country. So I guess it warranted a picture and it was something different. So I found a shady spot and set about it spending a couple of pleasant hours capturing "Myfanwy". The following day I added Alex and Jac to it and a couple of pigeons oh and a baby rabbit. 

Saturday 4th June 2016 - Nantgarredig Bridge over the Towy

I hadn't expected to go out and paint today but I found myself with a few hours to spare and it was warm and dry so!

I wasn't quite sure where to go but I had a couple of ideas. It just depended if I could find somewhere to park. The first stop was Nantgarredig a village down the road from Carmarthen and the pull-in by the river bridge was free so happy days.

I set up and started out with wet turps and blocked in the bridge adding more medium as I built it up. I then did the trees and sky finishing with the river last.

A pleasant couple of hours with no issues.

Cirencester and River Churn Thursday 19th May 2016

On a gorgeous day I found a lovely view of Cirencester from across the river Churn. i had to carry my pochade box 3 miles there and back to the camp site and it wasn't a real issue. I would not have wanted to carry my Jullian Easel that far.

I quickly set out the rough composition in turps wet paint adn went from there. 

I left the foreground to last and it all came together well --- except I forgot my glasses....so I did a fair bit of squinting!

Painting of Bathurst Estate, Cirencester - Thursday 12th May 2016

I managed to get a couple of days painting in Cirencester. The first day I found a nice spot looking at the park gates in Bathurst Estate. The drive is lined by trees mainly horsechestnut but other  varieties as well. I had a number of interested bystanders who either just watched or chatted.

The tower of John the Baptist Church made a good feature in the background. I started with a few rough lines of paitn and turps to mark the boundaries.

I then quickly put in the sky and worked in the middle distance.

here I am just finishing off adding a couple of details with a small 0 brush. The painting is 18 inches by 12 inches and the equipment functioned perfectly.

Carmarthen 5th May 2016

This morning I was determined to make good use of the nice weather so I got my jobs done early and was parking up in Carmarthen before 9am. I had a walk along the river and found a good view of the Town. This wasn't easy as the trees and bushes have grown over the last couple of years hiding the view and it meant hopping over the fence down boat steps to place my pochade box.

Anyway you can see I started with a few outlines and a determination to simplify a complicated town scene. I had put 3 hours on the carpark machine so I had to get on. Including walking to and from the position this meant I had 2.5 hours. 

You can see things went well no drama with the weather or materials a perfect morning painting.

When Igot home I brushed off a few little midges and that was it.