‘Fresh snow, January 1st 2013, the Ochil’s’
‘Fresh snow, January 1st 2013, the Ochil’s’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 30 x 30 cm
You may remember we spent our New Years Day walking in the Ochil Hills. It was perfect conditions with the higher slopes whitened with a light covering of fresh snow. A mixture of heavy clouds and bright sunny breaks made for beautiful subtle light and colours. This small painting is my first attempt at trying to capture a little of that day.
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Tags: January 1st 2013, ochil hills, The Ochil’s, ‘Fresh snow 
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‘From Ghlas Beinn, December afternoon’
‘From Ghlas Beinn, December afternoon’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 76 x 23 cm
Here is one of the latest 76 x 23 cm paintings. It is another work based on the views we had last December while walking Ghlas Beinn. The brighter conditions of the morning and early afternoon had mostly gone to be replaced by heavier and slightly lower cloud. The light and colours became more sombre but none the less beautiful. This low undulating ridge on the edge of Rannoch Moor really is the perfect view point. This painting has just been framed and will probably be included in my exhibition at ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh.
Exhibition details:
‘the gallery on the corner’
34 Northumberland St
Edinburgh EH3 6LS
Tel: 0131 557 8969
‘In sun, rain, mist and snow’
An exhibition of recent paintings by Keith Salmon
Preview, Friday March 1st 2013, 6pm – 8pm
Exhibition runs until March 30th 2013
Gallery open; Tues – Sat, 11.00 – 17.00
I hope some of you can get along to see the work. If you’d like an invitation to the preview, just let me know.
‘Snow shower, on the slopes of Ben Loyal, Sutherland’
‘Snow shower, on the slopes of Ben Loyal, Sutherland’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 76 x 23 cm
Back in May as you may recall, we had two great days walking on Ben Loyal in Sutherland. On our first attempt at getting to the top of this wonderful hill, we decided to turn back just a few hundred feet below the main broad ridge. The reason for this was that there was a sudden change in the weather, from bright and sunny to cloud and snow. The snow showers came in very quickly and for a short while we had some amazing views through the falling snow up to the main ridge above. I did one 30 x 30 cm painting based on this scene, after we returned from our holiday in Sutherland and this piece sold recently at the Christmas exhibition at The Strathearn Gallery in Crieff. I have however been planning to do a second version in the long 76 x 23 cm format. This is it. This painting is away being framed at present and will be included in my exhibition at ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh throughout March.
‘East over Rannoch Moor, early morning’, Graphite on paper
‘East over Rannoch Moor, early morning’, Graphite on paper, 2013, 40 x 60 cm
This is a drawing I completed yesterday ….indeed as you can see, this is a quick photo of it still attached to my drawing board on the easel. Anyway I hope this gives a reasonable idea of it. It is one of a number of similar sized graphite drawings I’ve been doing recently and is loosely based on the walk we did towards Ba Bridge back in the spring. That said, it could be anything really but I like the marks and contrasts. I do like my drawings to have their own edge rather than running up to the edge of the paper …but this makes it slightly more difficult to mount and frame. I’ll ask the framer to cut a mount that allows the rough and scratchy edge to be seen.
Over the last few years I’ve really concentrated on my paintings and have rather let my drawing slip. I’m glad I’ve started again and am really enjoying the process. I’m trying to put an hour or so in every day …it’s quite nice to spend the last hour in the studio with the music turned up a little …scribbling away. Hopefully more to follow.
Posted in Artwork of the Week Tags: Ba Bridge, ‘Early morning, ‘East over Rannoch Moor No Comments »
‘In the Blackmount, December’
‘In the Blackmount, December’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2012, 76 x 23 cm
I did this painting at the end of December, shortly after we walked Ghlas Beinn on the edge of Rannoch Moor. When we first did this walk back in December 2009, I did a similar piece. Both the new painting and the earlier version are based on the view we had looking across to the big hills of the Blackmount. On both occasions there was snow lying on these big hills making them look very dramatic against the dark skies. This is one of the paintings I am hoping to show in my exhibition at ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh in March.
We’re going back to Rannoch Moor on Tuesday with a bit of luck. This time though we will be following the tracks east from the Kingshouse Hotel. Apparently the forecast is for the cold conditions to stay until then …so with a bit of luck we’ll see the moor and its surrounding mountains with more snow. I’ll hopefully get some ideas for new paintings on this flat winter walk.
Posted in Artwork of the Week Tags: 'In the Blackmount, December, Ghlas Beinn, Kingshouse Hotel, Rannoch Moor No Comments »
‘December morning, towards Achaladair’
‘Towards Achaladair, December morning’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 30 x 30 cm
This little painting is the first piece to be completed in 2013. I posted an image of it the other day on my Face Book page, Keith Salmon – Scottish Landscape artist, but at the time it wasn’t quite finished. It was harsh with more contrasts and the whole had a very flat appearance. I said at the time that I’d probably have to do some more work on it ….and I did….and here it is.
The painting, a view looking towards Achaladair from the west, tries to capture a little of the cold December morning as we headed off along the undulating ridge towards Ghlas Beinn. For a while, a small bank of mist rolled up the glen below us and it made for a very atmospheric scene.
This painting will be included in my exhibition at ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh during March.
‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’
‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2012, 30 x 30 cm
If you read the blogs, you’ll know that we were out walking Ghlas Beinn on the edge of Rannoch Moor just a couple of weeks ago. The light and colours gave the mountains of the Blackmount great atmosphere. This painting, still in progress, is my first attempt at trying to capture some of the mood of the place that afternoon. I’m planning to start several more while the memories are still fresh in my mind. I may well work on some new drawings too …I really like the contrast between the snow covered mountains and the dark heather and grass covered moor lands below. If this painting is completed successfully, I’ll be exhibiting it in my exhibition at ‘The gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh …..make a note in your diary …the preview is March 1st and the exhibition will run until the end of the month.
‘From Beinn Dubh, the Luss hills’
‘From Beinn Dubh, the Luss Hills’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2012, 30 x 30 cm
Here is my latest 30 x 30 cm painting. I’ve already posted an image of this on my Face Book page, so apologies to those who have already seen it!
As you know, we visit the Luss Hills quite regularly and this painting was based on a walk up Beinn Dubh last December. It was a perfect short winter walk with big views all around. As we gained height though, the wind picked up, blasting along and picking up all the icy snow crystals. It looked great in the afternoon light but the wind chill was noticeable….especially when I had my mitts off to take photos! This small painting is currently available at my studio, so if you’d like to see it, just wander down ….best though to give me a ring first …we’re planning another walk soon. Tel: 07742 437425.
‘Early morning, October, Loch Lomond’
‘Early morning, October,Loch Lomond’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2012, 30 x 30cm
This is one of my latest small 30 x 30 cm paintings. Based on the early morning light on the hills above the western shores of Loch Lomond. We had been travelling up to Tyndrum back in October to do a walk up Beinn Odhar and as we drove up the side of Loch Lomond the rising sun illuminated the tops of the hills. In their autumn colours the scene was particularly good and we just had to stop and look.
Posted in Artwork of the Week Tags: Beinn Odhar, Loch Lomond, October, Tyndrum, ‘Early morning No Comments »
‘Below Shalloch on Minnoch’
‘Below Shalloch on Minnoch’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2007, 30 x 60 cm
I think I’ve shown this painting here before, but, well, I like it. It was one of three 30 x 60 cm paintings I did in order to try out ideas for a large commission I received in 2007. In the end I used one of the other pieces as the basis for the commission but as I say, I, always liked this one.
It was based on a view we had as we were walking along below Shalloch on Minnoch several years ago. The ground in this part of the Southern Uplands is very rough…..a mixture of grass tussocks, heather, boulders and bog …interspersed with hidden holes to catch the unwary. We had crossed the summit of this hill, (the highest point in Ayrshire I think) in patchy mist but as the day went on the weather improved along with the views.
Anyway, despite being painted in 2007, this piece has never sold and so is still in my studio. If you live in Ayrshire and want to come and see this piece, one of my more local paintings, just give me a ring. Tel 07742 437425, or email, salmon21@freeuk.com .
Posted in Artwork of the Week Tags: ayrshire, Southern Uplands, ‘Below Shalloch on Minnoch’ No Comments »