My 'Plein Air' Painting Gallery

Stourhead

2012-01-25T23:30:00.005Z

My latest project for the New Year has been to start some painting at Stourhead House and Gardens...... I was really wowed at the scale of the place, the lake, temples, grottos and wonderful woods etc. The first day was fabulously sunny, then two subsequent days I got rained off. It is a bit of a battle with the weather, trying not to make it personal!

ABOVE A rather 'zoomed in' view of the Pantheon Temple, catching the afternoon sun, I was painting from the steps of the Apollo Temple, then got rained off. There is a great view of the lake from the heights.

.... painting of the house ...... unfinished ..... after two cold cloudy sessions. I'm just waiting for the sun to arrive again so I can introduce shadows and highlights to add interest to what could be a flat looking winter scene.

unfinished ...... still in progress .... some sun please

View from behind the easel - just trying to build a base of paint for when better light arrives - will it work?

A quick sketch with a bright sun casting shadows on a very frosty beautiful Monday morning.

Below: SUN OVER FROME

Painted on the way home after being soaked by a heavy shower

2012-01-11T15:07:00.027Z

A painting of Great Chalfield Manor, capturing the winter afternoon light from the south lower moat - painted in preparation for having a stall at their Christmas Fair. . (The fair was a nice experience, in the Great Hall hung with 18th tapestries and the adjacent panelled room where I was designated a heavy old carved oak table to display my wares.)

The little C15th church can be seen on the RH side, and a glimpse of the Tropnell Chapel Window mullions, for which I made a stained glass window "The Seed and the Sower" (2nd row, 1st on left). The choice of subject was good reason to put in a lot of the Estate's 'Flora and fauna' .The interpretation arose from suggestions of a member of the donor family, his ideas as a farmer/land manager and conservationist. The window reflects his love of the natural world and countryside around his home, where the family have lived for two generations. His father was also a keen naturalist and the founder of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in the early1960's

Home Farm, Track to the Lake

2011-12-19T13:28:00.000Z

..... another painting from Home Farm . Life is geting very busy at the moment, I'm behind with posts here - not to mention my Christmas cards (I just did!).

HOME FARM, Roughmoor, Bromham

2011-12-09T08:55:00.020Z

I've been working on a new project for a while, a commission to paint a farm, a beautiful place, set just below the hills at Bromham.There are many possible, views, subjects to paint choices are sometimes too many. The obvious subject is the hills.

But I have been fixated on the lake there and a 'Hawthorn Tree' which makes a grand subject.

It is a rough, old, spiky, tree; strong, stocky with unruly branches, full of colour and changing quickly with the season; ...

..... but it contrasts against the water behind which sometimes is very still, sometimes rippled , and the colours gradate from a deep indigo near the bank to a heavenly cerulean blue further out. I've done several studies - initially it was windy and rather wild which these studies reflect, a freedom after the summer sessions of tight restraint, painting buildings in Bath.

The beginnings of a larger painting, a lot more leaves needed still ....

The easel setup....it is an exposed area so choosing a day when there's little wind is important, as far as one can predict the UK weather :-(*/

CHARLOTTE MOORE - Exhibition in Bath

2011-12-08T12:20:00.005Z

An exciting exhibition by Charlotte Moore, at The Gallery (Formerly Icon Gallery) in St James's Street Bath.
Charlotte Moore's exhibition at the Gallery on St James's Street continues until Christmas Eve.
Charlotte studied at Chelsea and Falmouth Colleges of Art and has exhibited in London, the Midlands and the West Country as well as in Canberra and Brisbane. Her work features in collections worldwide.

The gallery has until now been showing mainly mesh paintings/sculptures, which have aroused great interest and much discussion. As of this weekend (10th Dec) the exhibition will change with the addition of two and three dimensional paintings. All works on display have classical art historical references (part of their appeal is finding the allusions), while still retaining Charlotte’s unique style which is charming, colourful and lighthearted.

FOLDED PAINTING

FRAGMENT

Bath View from the putting Green, below Sion Hill

2011-12-03T12:34:00.016Z

SOLD

Later November view from the putting Green, below Sion Hill. Done in two quick sessions. Each time, soon after I sat down it began to rain, and a windy squall hit on the second sitting although both days had been 'Beautifully Sunny' till I started work there. (I think I can control the weather now. I just paint .... and it rains).
This was finished as the light faded so I put a bit of yellow glow in some windows as the lights were beginning to come on.
It's a small commission for a friend who needs it for a present. The view had caught my eye in the summer when the light in the mornings reflected in bright patches off some of the distant roofs - very lovely and most 'Evocative of Bath'. But I only managed to get there in the afternoons and although there was a short splash of sunlight at the first sitting which cast interesting shadows and spot-lit the chimney tops etc., generally it was a pretty dull light. However I quite like this result with an Evening feel.
Oil on board *"8" x 5"

Evening skies with jet trails over the village of Market Lavington

2011-11-01T22:31:00.018Z

These eight paintings were done "en plein air", sitting in the tailgate of my car, at the end of May into June 2011 (posted some then). Some were done on consecutive days within about two weeks, when we had a beautiful period of calm warm weather with still evening skies. Practically there were always jet trails hanging motionless, or being drawn across the sky as I watched. Sizes are 8" x 5" in the main thought the first three were of slightly different height sizes, using offcuts, till I realised suddenly that I should standardise sizes and create a series.
Now I'm trying to decide how to display them, in groups of three, or four or singley. I quite like the set of three or four as it gives rise to the idea of 'time passing', and possibly 'film', that almost old fashion medium (with sprocket holes), much superceded by video format.

One has to work very fast to get the paint down as the sky is changing swiftly all the time. So these probably took half an hour on average . It is really difficult to be sure as I always forget to check the time. Sometimes I'd get there and wait a bit to summon the energy; sitting, contemplating till it felt 'right' to start (better late then never), sometimes weary(or lazy) and mesmerised by the splendour and drama of it all. Then urge myself into action working, against the clock to beat the fading light, till I can't see the colours I'm mixing - it can feel rather futile trying to attempt this.(once or twice I didn't even get going)

Often I'll listen to music a walkman, Bach piano sonatas/partitas are good, they seem to stop out other thoughts and interruptions, helping the mind (and paint) to flow - the melody lines interweaving, stir feelings and energy, somehow relating to interweaving evolving cloud patterns.

Bach Partita no2

View towards Blackfriars Bridge

2011-10-26T14:19:00.010+01:00

One of two paintings of this view, this being the first one, 27th June. I had found a platform directly under Waterloo Bridge where pigeons nest and skateboarders sometimes practice tight maneouvers. It was pretty quiet so I set up easel and did this in one sitting (or should I say 'standing'!). The annoying wind was coming up the Thames from the east in gusts of about 30-40 mph so was is a matter of stamina to stand and paint, for a couple of hours, with one hand steadying the easel. I tend to zoom in with my composition sometimes but Think it would be preferable to have had a wider viewpoint in this case. I'd like to do a bit more consolidating, a couple of details, perhaps.

St Mary le Strand, London WC2

2011-10-14T13:28:00.008+01:00

Just had to do a touch more - a hint of detail on the white buildings left of church. tail lights and wheels on the vehicles (the nearest was a sports car), the steeple is more defined with sky showing through bits of architecture. I hope Valerie will accept the changes in good grace:-) (See her comment below in the last post below) ... and I hope I've not ruined it.
Oh(!) and congratulations Val on getting your set of 6 paintings in the Bath Prize Exhibition, and one on their promotional brocure. Great achievement and I'm very pleased for you.
Note: Valerie received a 'Highly Commended' certificate on one of her paintings.

J. S. Bach - Kantate BWV 36 - Schwingt freudig euch empor - 7 - Aria (J. S. Bach-Stiftung)
Beautifully sung by Nurai Rial

ST MARY Le STRAND, from the East (London)

2011-10-05T14:27:00.032+01:00

Earlier version

This is a weeny painting (8" x 5" on panel) of St Mary Le Strand which I did on a day in the capital a month ago, trying out a new mini Pochade box and I was determined to grab a bit of painting time that day. It was a beautiful morning to start, with a food fair and loads of people enjoying along the South Bank. But 2hrs later, as is often the case in the UK, it clouded over as I prepared to paint, and a fine drizzle set in after a while so I had to stop (not having an umbrella to hand), and I was running short of time but would like to have done a bit more. Now I quite like this loose unfinished look, in contrast to the much larger 'Bath Guildhall' I just painted. I think that crane rig is hovering above the back of Somerset House, and the whiter patch left of the church is sunlight on the facades of the tall buildings along the Strand (where many of the buses are going). I have always been intending to do some finishing so maybe I should add a few more touches of paint to define this area.

BATH PAINTINGS

2011-09-29T12:46:00.090+01:00

View of The Guildhall, Bath, painted from the roof of the Abbey.

SOLD

Been pretty busy and I couldn't get over to Bath last week, but wanted to paint the Guildhall. On Sunday I drew the outlines with watercolour on a gesso-board, at street level. 100's of people walking by, and buses, kept blocking the view. Drizzly rain finally beat me to a stop before I could get into painting properly.
Then I joined a tour of the Abbey roof and tower; the sun came out, so asked if I could paint from the roof. As a special circumstance the tour guide generously agreed and I returned on Monday morning, climbed the 212 winding steps and spent several hours up there over two days trying to process so much information and capture something of the complex scene.

The painting still needs a little finishing. By chance I had Vivaldi music on my walkman player, and in the glorious sun was somehow reminded of Canetto's painting of Venice. However right now I feel I've had my fill of painting buildings and something simple like a tree or cloud and landscape would be a great alternative.

A view towards The Circus on the steps of no.16, the top of Gay St., a ring of buildings built by John Wood and Son ( 1754-1768. (Thanks to the kindly residents who allowed me to stand on their door steps, they had to negotiate their way around the easel). The Circus is said to symbolise the Sun, whereas the Royal Crescent represents the moon, Here you can see a great Aerial photo of both and a virtual site for exploring architectural Panoramas of Bath

The middleground looked a bit empty so I added the two main figures afterwards. Tricky, trying to make them look natural without getting fussy on the detail.

Salisbury Plain, Everleigh, Nr Upavon

2011-09-15T11:17:00.003+01:00

SOLD

A recent small 10" x 8" commission. It was a beautiful day but got very windy/gusty after a while, and I nearly got blown away finishing this.

The Allottments, Sion Hill, Bath

2011-09-12T08:23:00.047+01:00

A beautiful peaceful view. Enjoyed my visits there, meeting people coming and going with their gardening tools, baskets to collect their produce, fruit and veges etc. I had to get those sunflowers in :-):-)
This painting is featured along with others, on the promotional brochure for the Bath Prize 2011

Wild Scarlet, Queen Street, Bath.

2011-09-09T12:25:00.093+01:00

When registering to enter the Bath Prize Painting Competition, one is first allocated a particular place in the city to paint, however one can submit other paintings as well. A coincidence - the first place I ever painted plein air in Bath, in April this year, was very near the same allocated place of Queen Street, but viewed from the other side of the arch in Trimbridge (see below).
A prominent detail above is a 'manikin' in the LH corner which had displayed a blue dress. Here is an earlier stage of the work ....

The thoughtful woman in the shop even left it out for me to paint a while longer when closing up at 5.30. However 2 weeks later ...... returning to finish the work, she had placed an eye-catching RED dress outside. Making a rather instant decision, I decided to quickly paint red opaquely over the Blue dress before she took the red one back in - I think the red works well and have given the painting the quirky title "Wild Scarlet, in Queen Street, Bath" - referring to the two shop notices of the 'Wild Cafe', and 'Scarlet Vintage' dress shop.
I always felt hungry whilst painting outside the cafe, seeing people enjoying their tuck, thinking "Later I'll get 10mins to have a nice rest and a coffee" - but I never did manage it, parking time always ran out, etc. I recommend the Scarlet Vintage dress shop with the helpful proprietor woman, displaying the most elegant colourful dresses I've seen for a long time (I don't usually take much notice of such shops).
Having been to the site to work 4 times trying to get the right light, etc, I felt there was a danger of loosing freshness and spontaneity so it is good to finish the work; hopefully I can loosen up do something more lively.
Below is the first painting in Trimbridge done in April. a it is lot smaller and so executed more quickly. I think I'm pleased with the sense of light in this one.

Plein Air meet at British Camp, Malvern.

2011-09-03T13:28:00.021+01:00

Another meeting of the UK plein Air Society proved a very enjoyable day, blessed with great weather. After starting the meet with a coffee together at the British Camp Hotel, catching up, and getting aquainted with new members etc., we climbed, recovered our breath(!), and painted towards the North first, with a view one of the peaks above Malvern Town ( the town is below the peak to the right and out of the picture)

We'd all set up first on the NE side looking towards the Beacon peak. Peter Cronin - foreground, Roy Wilkinson - far left, Anthony Bridge - far right, GlynisDray - has just been checking progress on the others and heading back to her easel,

Moving round the ramparts, a longish walk to the South showed another stunning view from the Black Mountains and round towards Cheltenham and Gloucester. At the new site, I always seem to be the last to settle and start painting, with the wide choice of open vista. I could see rain towards the Black Mountains so turned my back to that to include the southern tip of the hills; this painting is a bit literal but I couldn't resist adding colleagues at their work; Roy Wilkinson and Anthony Bridge, perched against the skyline. . We could see rain in the north, felt a few scattered drops but the raincloud barely missed us and I heard they's had a good downpour in Malvern. Lucky - it is very exposed on the hill.

My easel, just before packing up at 4.50pm, the models (posing for free) had long gone for coffee at the hotel a mile or so below so I had to hurry to catch up.

Malvern Hills from Sink Farm Lane

2011-08-14T22:33:00.017+01:00

About 5.00 pm Saturday at Sink Farm, Hangmans Lane, Hanley Castle. About twenty cows surrounded me at the start (quite intimidating!!), but they soon got bored watching and wandered off towards the barns and vanished, milking time. I went back for an hour today . The sky was somewhat different, however reworking a bit the next day certainly helps to consolidate the piece. Painting into the sun creates its problems, with light changing by the minute but I was trying a system of mixed optical grey, it tends to restrain the colour so works well in this instance as the colour gets bleached out in this type of lighting situation with the sun popping in and out of the clouds.

Top of Lavington Hill - in progress

2011-08-05T23:39:00.035+01:00

Oil on canvas 20" x 16" Working on a larger format, 'en plein air'.
The edge of Salisbury plain, looking West, with strange light/colour effects in the sky ..... There's a also a compositional challenge here ... I wanted to convey something of the richness of a roadside verge, some sunlight hitting a patch of brambles etc, yet it also relates to the overall landscape in some way. This has pehaps has too much of the wider landscape intruding. Below shows the progression of the work.

Copper Beech at Longleat

2011-07-25T08:01:00.013+01:00

A magnificent Copper Beech, by the car park near Heaven's Gate. Done in the last hour of fading light, I didn't quite catch the sense of light I wanted here, but somehow like the sense of 'attack' in this one. Oil on gesso panel 14" x 10".

Some Bach to listen to ........ it helps my mental flow when working.

Jenny Asparro: Partitia no 2

Garden study with sundial, and yellow roses.

2011-07-11T20:56:00.006+01:00

Study of a garden for a house commission

Design for a Roman style mural

2011-07-07T20:29:00.115+01:00

Something completely different! I found this in a forgotten corner of the attic - it was one of two designs for an 8ft high building hoarding in North London in the area called 'Little Venice', near Regents Park Canal. This project was being planned at a large building site as the last recession hit in the early 1990's and the idea was suddenly scrapped.

The other design, now lost, was quite different but more relevant to England; it was of a medieval type Gothic cloister, a row of wide pointed arches with pillar supports and a low wall between, (ie Salisbury Cathedral, but less ornate), with views through the arches into a courtyard garden of green topiary shaped bushes and glimpses of sculptures could be seen. I remember adding a Henry Moore style granite grey coloured statue, contrasting the medieval with something iconic of 20th century.A pity it has disappeared - anyway quite different from the plein air work.

Cheddar Gorge with the UK Plein Air Society.

2011-07-05T16:28:00.033+01:00

A day out painting at the Cheddar Gorge was scheduled for the UK Plein Air Society - we arrange to meet on the last Sunday of the Month, all plein air painters are welcome. Fellow painter Valerie Pirlot and I travelled there together and if you read her blog too you’ll hear more of the story of how we determinedly encouraged and cajoled each other up the heights of the gorge - it was very steep with heavy equipment, and the hottest day of the year. After much climbing and meeting decending walkers and being told it was another 15 mins to the very top, at 450ft above sea level, we went on ..... but suddenly got to a point (I guess about 350ft)where we sensibly realised any more walking in that heat and there’d be no energy to paint, so we set up easels and got painting.

Above is my rendering of the view, over the town with the river Severn in the distance, and a round reservoir spotted with tiny sails of people boating (they miraculously all disappeared at lunchtime - home for roast dinner - or BBQ - then were suddenly back again in the afternoon). To our left we could see Glastonbury Tor about 9 miles away, no sound from the Festival though we listened out for it.

Below, a photo of Valerie enjoying a well earned rest after her first painting, showing the effect of the climb too ....

and one of me, still hard at work, wishing I had a sun-umbrella too.

On the way back down, with gravity on our side, we stopped for a shorter time to do another smaller painting. I settled to do an old dry stone wall falling down under a background of trees. it looked very 'Pyranese' and felt it in the heat.

We didn't manage to meet any of the other painters who may have turned up (Glynis Dray was one), so perhaps should be more proactive and exchange mobile numbers with those intending to come in the future.

Market Lavington, evening skies, with jet trails

2011-06-01T11:46:00.011+01:00

Some recent evening skies from White Street Hill, at the edge of Salisbury Plain Escarpment - there's a great view North towards Devizes Bath and Chippenham. These paintings have to be done at speed, the sky changing in minutes, in seconds even, and in five minutes can look totally different. So one arrives at an approximation of what one has seen over the brief time but really it is an attempt to try to catch the sensations of light. It's interesting now these are laid out together, I can see certain effects working or not working so I might make minor changes to improve them.

No5. This time used prussian blue in the lower landscape which packs a punch when it comes to rendering the dark shadows.

No4 (below) One distant jet trail to the right of the sun.

No3 (below)

No2 below)

No1

STEEPLE ASHTON CHURCH, WILTSHIRE

2011-05-15T17:55:00.011+01:00

All Saints Church, Steeple Ashton, over a new wheat field. (telephone lines now been added!). An impressive and ornate building for such a rural setting. I was aiming to catch something of the weather and light this April 2011. We have had amazing weather, warmer and drier than any recorded previously since records began. "This good weather has lasted longer than any summer I can remember!" says my son. He can't be far wrong as far as UK sunshine goes.
You can see the unisual geological folds in the hills to the right above Westbury, and to the left these are the heights above Edington where King Alfred fought and beat the danes in 878 AD, in a final battle before making peace.

View towards London, over Sandown Park RaceTrack

2011-05-15T11:31:00.006+01:00

View over Sandown Park RaceTrack from Sandown View Hall. I was exhibiting my stained glass wares/portfiolio at the Christan Resources Exhibition (a sort of church trade show). The view was a source of facination, as the light was constantly changing with bright sunlight and dark shadow on the landscape and planes flying in and out of Heathow Arport (on the left horizon), landing approximately every 1min 15sec. so I decided to try to paint it - it was done in fits and starts, when visitor footfall was quiet, with the ebb and flow of people.

Roundway Hill, from Pear Tree Hill

2011-05-14T10:06:00.005+01:00

Roundway Hill seen from Cheveral Magna, or Pear Tree Hill, as locally called. Oil on panel. 19" x 12"

SOLD

VIEW OVER THE LAVINGTONS, WILTSHIRE

2011-05-09T00:04:00.007+01:00

View over the Lavingtons from Strawberry Hill. Capturing something of the unprescedented warm weather this April. A three week gap between starting and finishing this one. In the meantime all the foliage and rape seed had grown so had to update with a lot of colour. You can see the two church towers of both villages

Painting in progress. It was completed in two sessions.
Below the start of the painting two weeks earlier

ST SWITHUNS from HEDGEMEAD PARK -BATH

2011-05-08T14:37:00.006+01:00

Painted this in two sessions, just as leafy buds were opening in April. I wanted to try catching something of the freshness of the Spring light. Painted over a couple of hours to start, from 2.00 till 4.00; it is extraordinary how swiftly and radically the scene changes with almost opposite light and shade effects. The final result indicates the day at about 3.30/4.0pm

2011-04-27T07:42:00.009+01:00

My painting of Sherbourne Street, Bourton -on-the-water (Looking south towards the centre). Oil on Panel 10" x 14".

Members of the British Pochade Society, congregating on street corner of Rectory Lane, deciding where to set up for painting the town. It was Easter Sunday so not many of us turned up but the sun shone and we set to work. Unfortunately I didn't get any more suitable photos of people in action.

GARDEN WALL

2011-04-23T10:36:00.004+01:00

Capturing the splendour of sun in the garden. A riot of blossoms, new leaves, branches throwing shadows on the old garden wall. in April. 18.5" x 10" oil on panel

2011-04-12T08:37:00.004+01:00

View down John St From Trim St., about 4.00pm. Someone parked a car on the RH half way though, it's rear end blocking part of the view which made life awkward! I decided not to to paint it in. (Oil on Panel 10" x 12")

Paint out in Oxford

2011-04-07T07:38:00.033+01:00

For our third meeting the UK Plein Air Society met to start the day at a coffee shop in the High Street. Oxford. It was the day the clocks changed so getting there effectively an hour early was a challenge.
I chose to do this view of the High Street and afterwards thought I might have made a more interesting composition, this one being is so linear. Also all those bay windows did my head in for a while. The blossom tree was such an attraction.

The easel on site in the High Street

I had to leave early so didn't have chance to do another piece, but here is a shot of other industrious painters. Roy Connelly, Valérie Pirlot painting the same spire in Turl Steet.
Click to enlarge .....

and David Pilgrim ..............

Also one of Glynis Dray below, doing a fine watercolour in the High Street, obviously enjoying herself.

Early Spring Morning, Pigs Lane, Little Horton

2011-03-08T23:13:00.013Z

For once the sun stayed out more or less all of the time although there was a strong haze in the air and still quite cold. In front there was herd of cattle, a lot of mixed colours; Black, red-brown to tan, and patches of white. The were very well behaved and hardly moved at all, but gradually got closer to the gate. The pylons are typical of the area, marching all over the landscape to the north of Devizes; a nightmare for landscape photographers as they spoil the beautiful open views. The farmer came by and asked if he could look. . I was anticipating paintng the huge straw bale below the pylon, but suddenly a tractor came by and removed it, so I had to complete it by memory.
Technical note: I use driers in my painting medium and today the mix seemed a bit strong but they worked very efficiently.

EXHIBITION - At the OLD MILL WORTON

2011-03-05T14:57:00.009Z

Wiltshire Landscapes Plein Air Paintings in Oil By Andrew Taylor

5 Mar 2011 to 13 Mar 2011, 10:00 – 17:00

The gallery is open on:
Friday 4th March 12 noon - 5pm
Saturday 5th March 10am - 5pm
Sunday 6th March 10am - 5pm

Friday 11th March 12 noon - 5pm
Saturday 12th March 10am - 5pm (Andrew will be at the gallery 2.00 to 5.00)
Sunday 13th March 10am - 5pm
Oil Painting: 'Erlestoke Woods' by Andrew Taylor.

Evening view towards Penarth Headland over Cardiff Bay waters.

2011-03-01T11:53:00.006Z

Another good day with the UK Pochade Society. After paintng in the town all day we went to see the water at Cardiff Bay and decided to have one last paint. The beautiful golden pink under glow of the clouds quickly faded as the sun sank away and as we started work - but pressing on painted this at hi-speed in about 15-20 mins, then any useful light faded and I then couldn't see the palette any more. I really do need to get a head lamp.

Cherhill, evening view towards Calne

2011-02-26T13:22:00.005Z

.......driving back form Calne, the sky began to change from bland to very beautiful and the evening lights were coming on. So somehow I found a convenient layby and managed a to paint sitting in the car, very uncomfortable, till the light faded too much for me to see the colours.
Oil on gessoed board.
8.5" x 7" approx.

Exhibition at St John's Art Devizes

2011-02-26T10:06:00.005Z

The last day or two to view this exhibition. It should be taken down very soon, by Tuesday - the next Exhibition willl be at WORTON MILL for the next two weekends. Some of these paintings will be included alongside various and other new works. The theme being "WILTSHIRE LANDSCAPES in Oils".

Twilight over Devizes

2011-02-18T00:45:00.002Z

Twilight rain over Devizes, view from Roundway.A quick painting, it got too dark and cold for comfort.
10"x 14"

Bristol Harbour

2011-01-31T14:21:00.023Z

My second painting of the day. A bit of Bristol Harbour with the spire of St Mary Redcliffe in the background. I only had left a few minutes to speedily complete the foreground water, then realised it was the most interesting bit, like clouds, forever changing - I should have tackled it earlier. Perhaps I'll get back there and do more there. Here is another water painting done a while ago, the River Avon in Woodford Valley, near Salisbury

Painters at work. Smile please!:-)
From the left; Valerie Pirpot, Glynis Dray and Anthony Bridge.

Bristol University Music Department

2011-01-31T14:20:00.019Z

Started the day with the first meeting of the UK Pochard Group in Bristol. After a coffee and introductions we all set off and worked around here for a bit. I took longer at the task whilst others went to find new subject matter. Then four of us met later and painted the harbour to finish the day. We were blessed with a glorious and sunny, though pretty cold day, below freezing to start. My first experience painting with a group and it was a very positive one and enjoyable.

A view of the painting in progress

Liszt Totentanz

View from the Malvern Hills

2011-01-11T10:58:00.002Z

A great view from the Hillman's homestead, Gt. Malvern, (Malvern Hills)

FROME, SOMERSET

2011-01-06T08:21:00.018Z

Looking down North Parade, Frome, Somerset A cold and almost snowy morning (2nd Jan 2011),

JS BACH - "Schlarfe Mein Liebster" Christmas Oratorio

2010-12-16T22:58:00.005Z

December, Hungerford, Berkshire

2010-12-06T11:55:00.009Z

An unusual one for me. With 40 mins to wait for my neice, I thought I'd try a very quick 'town painting'. Got it all sketched out but really froze as there was snow about - I finished it back home - it seems to have too much detail. Never done cars before, interesting, they are full of reflections.

Very soon after I started painting a man arrived to enter the house right where I had set up the easel. "I have a watercolour painted with GIN inside" he told me, and explained that Edward Adrian Wilson had joined Robert Scott's team for the Antartic as 'expedition artist'. Apparently Wilson had used Navy forces gin (I thought they drank rum) to paint watercolours because water would have frozen!! Makes good sense, and very resourceful.
(About Wilson ..... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Adrian_Wilson )

Late afternoon Lavington Hill

2010-11-16T07:51:00.005Z

Did this in September. A strange sun glowing through the veil of clouds. Oil sketch. 12 x 1cm approx.

AUTUMN POPLARS

2010-11-04T10:22:00.014Z

The poplars again, always looking splendid in Autumn. Painted this on a bigger format than my usual, Good to work larger and it didn't take much longer. Could be finished a little more to define the receding trees .....
Was just thinking, it interesting how ones work changes over time .....
Other views www.flickr.com/photos/apt_pics/2805804406/
and here www.flickr.com/photos/apt_pics/3958251724/
Oil on canvas 24" x 18

OAK TREE

2010-10-26T09:20:00.009+01:00

OAK TREE IN THE VALE OF PEWSEY

An Oak Tree in the Vale of Pewsey. You can see one of Wiltshire's White Horses on the hill left of the tree.
The embankment of the main railway line from Paddington through to Westbury, cuts across the landscape and every now and then a blue coloured express passes by, but too swiftly to try to paint in. On te RH is the clump of trees on Wooborough hill, a familiar landmark in the area.
NB Just went to see this tree again with a view to painting it again, almost a year later - I was a bit shocked to see that they were bulldozing a large shallow depression next to it, so a big pile of mud and bare earth looking a bit messy. Hope they know what they are doing. Possibly they are making a lake,

Roundway Hills, Devizes

2010-10-26T09:11:00.004+01:00

View of ROUNDWAY HILL

View of Roundway Hill above Devizes, Where the Battle of Roundway took place in the Civil War.
A very recognisable landmark from all directions. The wide open aspect of this hill and colour somehow remind me of Africa particularly when nearer to it. The clouds were changing light patterns by the minute so it was a challenge to paint and set the light/shadow areas.

HOUSE BETWEEN THE POPLARS

2010-10-26T09:03:00.002+01:00

The house between the 'Poplar Trees' The house between the 'Poplar Trees'. This small house is dwarfed by these trees, painted from the field space between them. There are trees behind me as well so it is well protected from the wind, although nothing but grass is growing there now. Maybe they had crops at one time but not in the last 10 years.

And some Bach ....

a'Beckett's Vinyard

2010-10-26T08:55:00.004+01:00

'unfinished' sketches - a'Becketts Vinyard
Not many villages in the UK can boast of a local vinyard. This one it about 10 years old, and produces some fine wines.

Roundway from Urchfont hill 2

2010-09-12T06:45:00.004+01:00

Roundway from Urchfont hill 2, originally uploaded by Andrew Taylor1.

View from the very edge of Salisbury Plain over towards Devizes which lies at the base of the far hill. Two deer walked quiet close to me (within 50 yds) before seeing me, freezing still for a moment and staring as if in disbelief, then bounding off in a flash.

Nr Wrexham, North Wales

2010-07-20T11:19:00.009+01:00

Morning painting. Looking West from Gresford, Wrexham, North Wales.

I was up there to hear Nigel Kennedy playing at the Llandudno Festival.

View from the Malvern Hills

2010-05-20T10:39:00.008+01:00

View from the Malvern Hills, early spring morning.

Roundway Hills, Devizes

2010-05-20T10:37:00.002+01:00

View of Roundway Hill. Painted in about 15mins as rain was approaching. Got soaked just beforre reaching the car.

2010-05-20T08:49:00.000+01:00

View of River Severn, Near Lantwit Major

2010-04-11T08:22:00.006+01:00

APRIL EVENING SKY OVER GT CHEVERALL,
A warm evening at last

2010-03-06T22:13:00.003Z

WESTBURY from WHITE HORSE HILL

Westbury from White Horse Hill

2010-02-23T22:49:00.010Z

WESTBURY TOWARDS BRADFORD, From White Horse Hill. Spent longer than usual on this this morning. Just over 2 hours, Initially there were just those distant clouds. More clouds rolled in and covered most of the sky - shadows kept changing dramatically over the landscape.
I added the near clouds at the end The main quality of the view was the gradating sky so I thought that's a mistake, but now it seems to work and gives a 3D effect, leading one into the painting.

2010-02-22T20:39:00.005Z

ERLESTOKE Sun catching the field, light snow on the slope in the distance. For once it was a cloudless day and I tried to capture the light in the middle ground, with the far hill casting it's shadow on the snowy slopes. Unfortunately I was standing in shade to paint this, got very chilly - temp about -2deg!

Oil on panel 30cm x 24cm approx

2010-02-21T10:16:00.009Z

View from Longleat towards Frome.
That blue sky disappeared about a minute or two minute after I started painting.

J.S. BACH Cantata
Open another tab of this blog then CLICK ON THIS J.S. BACH Cantata and listen to some great music whilst viewing the paintings.
BACH CANTATA BVW140 no1

2010-02-20T23:41:00.004Z

Autumn Poplar trees at Blackdog Crossroads.
Another chance to paint these lovely trees which I enjoy seeing all year round as they change with the seasons.
Here is a painting of them I did 3 years ago, a wider view.
/Poplars%20at%20Black%20Dog%20Ccrossroad.jpg

Blackfriars Bridge, London

2010-01-29T23:01:00.011Z

View of St Pauls, Blackfriars Bridge and the City of London.
It was a disgusting rainy day, a fine drizzle and very cold, uniform dull light and so grey. Not inspiring. Also trying to come to grips with a compex cityscape and the angle of zoom/perspective - far too close in here I feel.

Edington

2010-01-10T07:48:00.006Z

SNOW AT EDINGTON
Very heavy snowfall and freeze this year.

Nr. Heaven's Gate

2010-01-09T09:39:00.005Z

Snowy Car Park, nr. Heaven's Gate Longleat

2010-01-09T09:35:00.002Z

Pine forest at Longleat Estate, Wiltshire

2010-01-06T23:07:00.005Z

AUTUMN COPPER BEECH at Little Cheverall Church,

2009-12-04T16:04:00.001Z

TOWARDS LITTLE CHEVERALL

2009-11-02T08:44:00.006Z

May blossom. Oil on panel 15cm x 20cm (approx)

Antequera, in Andalucia, Spain

2008-11-23T14:26:00.029Z

ANTEQUERA below...... Andalucia, is said to be the cradle of FLAMENCO music so here's a lively sample.

Antequera is a pretty small 'White' city in the centre of Andalucia. About 1 km from the outskirts is an extraordinary mountain which looks like sleeping giant's head in the right light. Not quite so in this painting, either because the light wasn't right or my drawing imperfect. I suspect a bit of both but it was a hastily executedy work as time was limited, with M reading and waiting in the car. Initially I wasn't going to include the mountain, concentrating on certain cloud formations, but then decided I had to - so I'm glad I did.

Enjoy some virtuosic Spanish music to create the right 'Ambiente' (atmosphere) - una "BULERIAS" con guitarra

Granada, looking West

2008-11-23T13:17:00.012Z

Here is a brilliant 1 hour video of Juan Martin explaining some basic FLAMENCO GUITAR TECHNIQUES for a piece or style called 'Bulerios'

Early 9.00am morning view of Granada, painted in about an hour, as the sun is rising behind the Alhambra Palace. Painted from near the Alhambra visitor carparks. The shadow moved away very quickly so I had to paint it in afterwards to capture the effect of light in that small window of time. M was nearby having breakfast and enjoying the sun so I knew I couldn't hang about, and we were leaving the city on our way west to Antequera.

Calle de visitas, de Los Angeles, Granada

2008-11-18T08:39:00.013Z

My first visit to Andalucia and Granada, visually very stimulating and exotic and needed to grab time to paint whilst M took a siesta. I had to start somewhere so found this street corner, near our pensione, with a view of the Sierra Nevada foot hills. Using a new cobalt drier the oils reacted oddly and dried very quickly, so I desperately wrestled and managed to pull something together though the sky isn't quite what I was after.

bUDE

2008-10-20T07:19:00.006+01:00

View of Bude, Cornwall
24cm x 30 cm

2008-10-20T07:07:00.006+01:00

Farm at bromham wiltshire.
Oiil on panel 24cm x 30cm

2008-07-10T12:41:00.006+01:00

Been working on a church facade in in Notting Hill and climbed to the top of the scaffold to do this on Tuesday evening. Very rough and needs more tonal definition, but the sun came out a little to give a touch of light and shadow.

2008-02-24T22:34:00.009Z

Painted leaves.

2008-01-09T20:01:00.001Z

The evolution of a painting, imaginary landscape

Stage 2 Stage1

2007-12-23T23:31:00.000Z

A page from my sketchbook; Imagined Landscape (NFS)

SOUTH AFRICA

2007-12-14T23:15:00.012Z

WALKING THE BUSHMAN'S WILDERNESS TRAIL

We met Marius, our trail leader, and Bento the African tracker, at 'Berg-en-Dal' in the Kruger Park and then drove about 30km off the public road into the hills to the 'Bushman's Camp' enclosure for the three day stay. Here there were simple facilities, round thatches rondavel huts and a central eating Boma. The huts were raised about 2ft off the ground on stilts - that makes it harder for snakes and other dangerous creatures to get into them.The enclosure, about 100yds diameter was protected by a wonky fence with two strands of barbed wire to keep out lions elephants, rhino and other indegineous animals .
We were woken and rose at 4.30 in the morning, as day broke, and after a quick wash, rusk biscuit and coffee, were ready to walk just after 5.00am. About 2 yards from the camp gate, on the first day Maruis pointed out great skid marks where a rhino had made it's 'Midden', it's territorial marks with it's feet. That made me extremely wary as we walked out into the open bush.

We got close to a lot of Rhino A tense minute as this one below sensed our presence and moved towards us.The click of a camera had allerted it. After 500,000,000yrs of being 'Rhino', camera clicks and other metallic/modern type sounds stand out immediately as something out of the ordinary.

2007-12-09T15:05:00.002Z

Some of the incredible variety of bird life seen in South Africa, most were in the Kruger Park. Their songs are something one needs to hear, to believe. I bought a CD - "Birds of the Kruger National Park" Volume 1, there are 100 different bird sounds on it. There are 8 types of Cuckoo on this volume!
I don't know the exact details of the different species here so put (type?) when in doubt and in case anyone can enlighten me

Above: "Giant Kingfisher".
This Large chap looks like a cartoon version where his head is too large for his body and body is too large for his legs. But he looks like he means business, He was massive - about 8" or 9" tall. He ignored me, intently spying out his next meal, then after a minute or so was gone . (Crocodiles were in the water below too).
Above: A tiny "African Scops Owl . 17cm tall. Eats insects and spiders mainly.

Above: Cormorant type? bird.

Above: Brown Snake Eagle?

Above: Glossy Blue Starlings

Above: Hoopoe

Hornbill ("Grey" I think?)

Above: "Striped Kingfisher"

Above: Myna bird

Above: Colourful Swallow

2007-12-05T09:30:00.000Z

Just returned from South Africa where we had two days walking with friends on the "Bushmans wilderness trail" in the Kruger National Park. Here's a quick painting of a ' Koppie' (small rocky hill) outside of 'Bushmans Camp'. Painted at about 2.00pm, no animals were at the waterhole because there'd been much rain so they had other sources - but two eagles were circling above. Our walks and encounters with the wildlife at close quarters is another story .....

2007-10-27T12:37:00.000+01:00

Set For White Horse Opera.
I joined to sing, but also am required to design and make the sets*. Busman's holiday. (*with help from some chorus members and other kind people!!)
See also http://www.whitehorseopera.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15570100@N02

Copper Beech, Little Cheverell, Church

2007-09-11T00:05:00.001+01:00

COPPER BEECH - adjacent Cheverell Church

Copper beech trees are wonderfully colourful, particularly if you can get the light behind them in the spring. This one has evening light on the front.
SOLD

2007-06-06T13:37:00.000+01:00

A mosaic experiment with watercolour (15 x 22 cm).

Did this eons ago. The LH lower corner is in miniscule detail . Here I've reproduced it in negative alongside the original which I find an interesting effect - it glows.

2007-05-26T11:50:00.001+01:00

"JONATHAN FARR" Portrait. Oil on board 35cm x 31cm.

Jonathan and I painted each other in a quick painting session in January. It was a tricky arrangement as we were both moving all the time, making it difficult and the result seemed unsatisfactory. Looking at it now it seems a reasonable likeness although he said I made him look older - definitely a valid criticism - Oh dear! (also someting about it looks vaguely Red Indian. )

Salisbury Plain

2007-05-15T23:08:00.001+01:00

Late afternoon in oil. A quick study, over fields towards Cheverall.

12cm x 25cm approx.

2007-05-14T09:07:00.000+01:00

The trees throw long contrasting shadows over the grass in evening light. An idea for a painting. I'd like to capture the moment of light .

2007-04-23T09:08:00.001+01:00

A quick dash of Spring - buds and blossoms from my studio window. Rather a lot of greens, maybe I'll do a bit more to it - and hope I don't spoil the freshness. Maybe I should just start another.

2007-04-11T23:00:00.000+01:00

A long holiday from blogging but I want to get it lively again. Went to Bath a few weeks ago and had about 20 minutes free to draw so tried something architectural, the Pulteney Bridge - it is in a small Moleskin drawing book and done with chunky new propelling drawing impliment which doesn't smudge easily and which, I think, will prove really useful in time. Methinks the drawing looks rather unfinished on the right (where there was a scrawny spreading tree).

Feel this blog has gone slightly awry as it is meant to be about 'Painting' but glass and drawings are getting onboard. I'll try and rectify the situation soon.

2006-12-19T12:19:00.000Z

Detail of the window below ...

BAPTISM WINDOW, St John's Church, Southwick, Trowbridge, Wilts.

2006-12-19T11:37:00.001Z

Pressing stained glass deadlines have taken me away from my painting for a while but I am looking forward to getting back to it again soon. Here's a detail from the most recent window; the subject is 'St John Baptising Christ'. Basically I used a watery theme with fruit and foliage as a background to the figures, and wanted a feeling of an Oasis, richness and an abundance of life-giving water.

2006-10-30T12:15:00.001Z

WINDSWEPT BUSH. (Autumn may not wait for us, but I'm waiting for Autumn)
A well weathered bush waiting for autumn on a hilltop at Nolton Haven, Pembrokeshire. On Friday I went to London to see the Velazquez exhibition and some other paintings - and the countryside from the train looked as green as late summer, with just a hint of autumn colours. I expect it will change fast now. (That Velazquez, he sure knew about painting).

2006-09-27T14:34:00.000+01:00

POPLAR TREES (at Black Dog Crossroads, nr. Littleton Panell)
Painted this 2 weeks ago on a lovely Sunday morning. The poplar trees nearby were beginning to turn as things get cooler; changing quickly day by day and and crying out to be painted. Cycling to the spot and setting up the easel I realised I'd got my turps pot but had left the Linseed oil behind. Disaster threatened! "...... "But I have to try" I thought ....... it all got a bit odd and tricky with no oil to lubricate things - turps melts the under layers (those who use oils will understand). Finally I did a bit more from memory to rescue it, and I think it works OK.

2006-09-21T23:25:00.000+01:00

.....the next stage..... With more build up of the 'shading' paint . This is shown here before 'firing' where the paint will typically fade about a tone lighter, then more paint may be added to create contrasts of shadow. THe window nearly finished but I have to fire the silver stain which produces yellows and golds. Then the glass is leaded together.

2006-09-20T22:20:00.000+01:00

NEW WINDOW FOR MARKET LAVINGTON CHURCH
Very busy working on other things lately so the outdoor painting is held up. This photo shows the development of a new window as the painting is progressing. (The glass is adhered to the plate-glass easel with a drop of melted beeswax at the corner of each piece of glass - the process smells really good - honey like. Black lines are temporarily painted behind the plate glass to simulate the leadwork.)

2006-09-11T00:11:00.000+01:00

Evening, towards Great Cheverell
My attempt to capture what seems like contradictory yet harmonious colours and light at sunset, where the sky goes from orange/gold through a pale green blue to a darker purer blue. The light changes so quickly.
Oil on Panel 30 x 23cm

2006-08-31T10:53:00.002+01:00

Evening clouds over Cheverell
Had trouble deciding which direction to set up the easel, everything looked so interesting. Chose south west, a quick burst of painting as evening drew in. Got pretty cool in the wind and regretted wearing sandals! Then my bike had a puncture so had to walk home, lucky it wasn't far.
Oil on panel . 30 x 25cm.

2006-08-29T13:13:00.000+01:00

'Reflections of Water Reeds' (Oil on panel 30x x 24cm)
Jonathan and I went painting yesterday, whilst Mary went cycling alonside the River Avon in the Woodford Valley, nr Salisbury. Great to see the sun again.

St Brides Bay

2006-08-23T23:48:00.004+01:00

ST BRIDES BAY (Pembrokshire)
Painted this from Broad Haven beach, looking into the sun, pretty blinding and my glasses Reacto lenses went very dark giving me false colours - so had to paint a lot without the glasses. Rather disorientating. Waves need more practise, they're a bit static here.

CLICK twice on the image to enlarge (second time in lower right hand corner)

2006-08-09T22:39:00.001+01:00

'Cliffs at Portgain' (showing 19th century industrial ruins on skyline) Pembrokshire coast, West Wales. Painted sitting on the rocks, an uncomfortable position which I'm sure left a lasting impression on my behind!
(30 x 24 cm. Oil on panel)

2006-08-06T23:21:00.001+01:00

Farm at Bromham with fresh sprouting crops.
Early peaceful Sunday morning in June 2006.
30.5 x 23 cm. Oil on Panel.

2006-07-27T07:56:00.000+01:00

Hawthorne Tree above my studio on a hot Sunday - June 2006. Oil on card . 21 x 29cms