Category: Watercolour

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Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Inspired by Turner

It was early Saturday morning, I broke the plastic sealing wrapper from around a William Turner book I had purchased – The ‘Skies’ Sketchbook by David Blayney Brown. Once I had studied it for a while I had this enormous urge to get outside and paint some clouds. Luckily the sky was very beautiful during the weekend, the soft pillow type cushions sailed past quickly which meant the scene in front of me changed completely every few minutes. I sat in my new camper van at Nacka Strand protected from the cool wind, I was inspired and I enjoyed every moment of it.

  • Cloud study #1
  • Cloud study #2
  • Cloud study #3
  • Pencil sketch
  • Protected from the wind
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watercolor Watercolour

A real source of inspiration

Calella
Calella

I’ve mentioned this before but I’ll say it again, one of the most important moments in my watercolour development was when I participated in a course in 2016 featuring Chien Chung-Wei. The course, the only one I’ve ever been on was run by the fantastic Angela Barbi of Epc watercolour courses in Girona.

Chien Chung-Wei is my main source of inspiration and learning, there are others that inspire but he is the artist I study most. Like all good artists he is also learning himself and trying to improve with each painting, it’s fascinating for me to see how he creates light and designs his compositions.

To anyone out there who is trying to learn how to paint, find an artist that you love and learn from them, study their work and ask questions like, why is this picture so wonderful?

My own watercolour today is from a photo I took last spring in Calella, Costa Brava. It is a scene that has been painted by many watercolour masters throughout the years. This is my attempt, an evening scene in Calella.

Title: Calella, 36 x 26 cm

Click the Thumbnail below to see the full-sized image.

Calella

Calella

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Watercolour

Just doing it

Boat season
Boat season

It’s Monday today and like everybody else right now I spend most of my time indoors trying to avoid the Corona virus. This morning was the start of a new week but it was hard to know because I was still in my comfort clothes, you know, sweatpants and an old t-shirt type of thing. So I sat at my desk and luckily I have that wee hand-written sign on the wall in front of me which simply states, “Just Paint!”. It’s so damn useful sometimes to be told what to do.

I am still going through my photos of Ireland for inspiration. I might paint outdoors tomorrow. There is a rumour it might be getting warmer. I would like to visit the archipelago, but still on the mainland. I don’t want to take a ferry at the moment with the pandemic still very real. I wonder when we will be all safe again?
The featured painting is from a photograph I took in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland last year.
Title: Boat season 36 x 26 cm.

Click the thumbnail below for a full sized image.

Boat season
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Watercolour

Summer in Åland

Summer in Åland
Summer in Åland

We sailed to Finland and Åland last year. Such wonderful memories exploring the small islands and being blissfully alone for days on end.

This watercolour titled, Summer in Åland is 36 x 26 cm. Click the thumbnail below to see the full-sized image.

Summer in Åland
Categories
watercolor Watercolour

Plein air in a cold climate

Finnboda hamn
Finnboda hamn
Plein air in Finnboda
Plein air in Finnboda

I took myself out during the week to paint plein air. The sun was shining and it might even have been 10 degrees but I’m not sure. I brought extra leggings which I put on quite quickly as it was very cool in the shade of the building next to the water’s edge.
It was interesting how the paper and watercolour pigment behaved in the cool conditions, it was very different from my time in India or even the studio. I found that the pigment was not absorbed by the paper as easily. It wasn’t a big deal, I adjusted quickly and enjoyed my two hours by the water.
Sweden being Sweden most people left me alone which is good considering we are in the middle of a pandemic. A few were curious but they kept two metres away.
I am so looking forward to painting plein air more often now as the temperature is rising and the sun is higher in the sky. The days are much longer too.
I have bought a van that I am going to convert into a studio plus camper. I will publish a post about this exciting project during the coming week.

If you would like to see the full sized image please click the thumbnail below.

Finnboda hamn
Finnboda hamn
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watercolor Watercolour

I am looking forward to summer

Rödhamn, Åland
Rödhamn, Åland

One presumes that the the pandemic will end and we will be allowed to enjoy the summer when it comes. That is my hope at any rate. I haven’t painted plein air since India, waiting for the temperature to rise which it has now so I have no excuse. Out into nature you go David and paint, paint, paint.

This watercolour is from a photograph I took on my phone last summer. We were visiting Rödhamn harbour in Åland. We stayed for a night or two as we slowly explored the archipelago there.

Rödhamn, Åland 36 x 26 cm
Click the thumbnail below to see the full-sized image.

Rödhamn, Åland
Rödhamn, Åland
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Categories
watercolor Watercolour

Not every painting is a masterpiece

I am trying to paint everyday and I want to be challenged so that I can learn and develop. The original photo reference I used was snapped while I was walking along the coast in Bangor, Northern Ireland. This wasn’t a strong composition to begin with but I liked the shadows and the angles created by the pathway and tree. I had a go and this is the result. Like all of my paintings there are somethings I like and there are thing I am not to fond of.
Tomorrow is another day and a new challenge awaits.
Click the thumbnail below to see the full-sized image.

Bangor walk

Categories
watercolor Watercolour

Playing with lights and darks

Groomsport
Groomsport

I have painted this Groomsport scene before in one of my sketchbooks. Today I felt like playing around with lights and darks so I chose this to basically practice or play, I can’t remember my mood when I started. It’s a weird time with this Corona virus threatening us all. The most important thing for me was just to paint something. I didn’t want to just spend Monday reading the news and surfing on YouTube.

For the watercolour enthusiasts out there this watercolour was painted on Saunders Waterford 300g Fine grain and the size is 36 x 26 cm. Click the image below if you want to see the full sized watercolour.

Groomsport
Groomsport
Categories
Watercolour

Another watercolour of Donaghadee

Donaghadee Sunset
Donaghadee Sunset

I visit Northern Ireland twice a year usually, my family live there in Bangor not far from Belfast. I grew up in the South so I have no connection except my family. I enjoy taking the coast road from Bangor through Groomsport and ending up in Donaghadee, a lovely harbour which used to be the main port for the voyage to Scotland many years ago. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/eDVfUXbGwwEKaUpt5

This watercolour is 26 x 36 cm and is titled, Donaghadee Sunset.
Click the thumbnail below for a full sized image.

Donaghadee Sunset
Donaghadee Sunset