In the absence of much other painting activity, here is another piece from my watercolour sketch book that accompanies me to most places. This was done on our recent trip to the Lake District.
This is a magical place. Castlerigg Stone Circle sits up above Keswick and fascinates the thousands of visitors who come to marvel at its design and speculate about its function in the ancient world. To make this picture I sat upon one of the flatter stones in the inner circle known as the Sanctuary. My idea was to create a more intimate image than would be possible taking in the full circle of stones.
The Sanctuary, Castlerigg - Watercolour on Not paper 14" x 11"
6 comments:
Hi Mick, I think the Not paper suits the style of watercolour painting that you are doing. The light is quite lovely and the limited palette almost suggests this is a study more than a finished painting. Yet having said that I think it would spoil the painting if it was any more detailed. The shadows are especially nice and I like the way the light is hitting the top of the rocks and the distant hills. A delicate sky that depicts clouds on a fine day. This is a fine painting and it also records a day out in the lakes. The view point is a good idea too and makes a change from looking outside the stone circle to within.
Caroline - Thank you for your kind words. My main intention was give some feeling of the light and if that comes across then I've had some success. I've wondered whether or not to mess with it since getting it home but have decided that I like it as it is. I'm thinking of using it as the basis for a larger oil.
This is a nice piece of work Mick but seems to me to be a bit `washed out'. Not much tonal contrast. Although I'm not much good at turning sketches into paintings - I don't actually sketch much - it would make a good basis for one of your oils, which as you know I believe to be your stronger medium.
Peter - Thanks. I had hoped the higher key approach might give an impression of the light whilst still ensuring some tonal range with shadows that had some degree of luminosity. It's interesting that you mention the oils as recently the watercolours are getting a better press back here.
Hi Mick, I keep coming back to look at this piece and have held my comment to find the exact word that I think describes it. Iconic. I like it a lot. Happy painting friend.
Dan - So pleased you like it. Thanks.
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