Leeds – like I’ve never seen it before!
The trees in the foreground are along the edge of Soldier’s Field, Roundhay Park. On the far right, you might just make out the Parkinson Building.
View from the Drone
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Category Archives: watercolour
Painting outdoors again
These paintings are from 3 weeks ago, the first time I painted outdoors this year. I worked alongside friend and colleague, Michael Daly. He asked me to use his paints, brushes and preparation techniques, which are all different to mine. I’m very happy with the results.
And thanks to David, for his kindness and hospitality in allowing us to splash and daub in his lovely garden.
House Portrait #35
An art lover’s house in Roundhay, Leeds. The owners requested a drawing in colour and I was happy to oblige. Painted last week on watermarked T & J H Kent paper from c.1950.
Spring!
Finally… it is Spring in Leeds.
Pet Redbeard
A local Viking who kindly agreed to sit. Pet has striking features which I am drawn to draw.
Galloway, part 2
The Rhins of Galloway, trying to think about nothing.
Galloway, part 1
The Rhins of Galloway, a good place to get away when the world’s gone mad. It’s very green and peaceful, and the sheep don’t bother you.
Horse Chestnut Tree, Potternewton Park
This tree in my local park is wider than it’s tall. Two weeks ago, the candles were at their best. I’ve painted horse chestnuts in blossom for a few years – it’s not easy and this is my favourite attempt so far. I’ll have another go next year…
And Did Those Feet
This is the View From Birkrigg Common. It’s hanging in a group show in Leeds called And Did Those Feet, an exhibition exploring William Blake’s poem, Jerusalem.
The inspiration for the picture came in March this year when I visited Birkrigg Common, Ulverston, Cumbria, and was struck by the panorama visible from the triangulation point.
Since then I have painted it several times, usually as a series of 4 interlocking images, that to me represent many of the elements of Blake’s Jerusalem:
1. England’s mountains green are there – the fells of the Lake District.
2. Ancient times have left traces such as the Bronze Age stone circle.
3. The pleasant pastures of Bardsea, with their sheep and lambs, look down on the purple sands of Morecambe Bay at low tide, and the island where monks built a holy chapel in the 14th Century.
4. Here can be seen more clouded hills, and at the far right of the painting, Heysham nuclear power station – our latest version of a satanic mill.
The exhibition runs until 24th May 2016 at St Edmund’s Church, Lidgett Park Road, Leeds LS8 1JN. I’ll be there on Sunday 22nd May, 11:30am – 1pm, if you’d like to say hello and see my longest painting yet – it’s 10 feet wide.
Mad March Sky
Sunset on Monday night – the sky and the trees go crazy – in a good way.
