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Latest Blogs | Scottish Landscape Art - Scottish Landscape Paintings - Part 53

‘Coire an t’Sneachda, the Cairngorms’

Posted by admin on July 9th, 2010

'Coire an t’Sneachda, the Cairngorms'

'Coire an t’Sneachda, the Cairngorms'

‘Coire an t’Sneachda, the Cairngorms’, Oil, Acrylic & Pastel, 88 x 88 cm

There are two reasons for choosing this very wintry scene for my work of the week. Firstly, it’s apparently around 32 C this afternoon and forecast to go to 37C possibly by Sunday. Being used to the slightly cooler temperatures of Irvine, I’m finding it a little hot today and could really do with a nice cold snowy hill to sit on! But the main reason for choosing this painting is that my mind is very much on Scotland this weekend and in particular Glenmore Lodge near Aviemore. This is the centre where I did both the summer and winter mountain skills courses for visually impaired people. I’ve mentioned these courses before I know, and this weekend is really special as it’s the 10th anniversary this year for the course. Norma Davidson the co-ordinator for these courses, has organised a reunion for past course members and the fully sighted volunteer guides. I would have loved to be there this weekend and as I type this, my partner Anita (who has guided me over so many hills) is driving up to Glenmore to join the group.

The weather apparently isn’t so good but I’m sure everyone will have a good time and I’m sure there will be a lot of reminiscing done in the bar …and walks and adventures planned.

I did this painting after attending the one visually impaired winter mountain skills course that was run. We were taken up into the coire to learn some winter survival techniques …digging snow holes etc and we had this amazing view of the ice and snow covered crags. It was a special day for me too as one of the instructors spotted a Snow Bunting in the rocks close by and amazingly it sat there long enough for me to find it with my monocular…..I’d always wanted to see one of these.

Back to the heat and the work now and with a bit of luck a nice ice cold beer later this evening. Best wishes to all those at the reunion at Glenmore Lodge.

For details of the course, check out the Glenmore Lodge website: http://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/

Hot and humid and late!

Posted by admin on July 9th, 2010

'Below Stob Coire Raineach, Glen Coe'

'Below Stob Coire Raineach, Glen Coe'

Well it’s going to be a short blog this week ….it’s very warm and humid here in Speyer today and what with one thing and another, I’m running late. I’ve had a good week in general though and have managed to finish two more paintings which is quite pleasing. I have four more 80 x 80 cm boards primed and ready to go …with one of them started. I haven’t done anything more with the bigger boards. The one I started is going to be the main target for the next few days I think and I’m also planning to start the other big board by the end of next week …so lots on the go.

We’re also starting to make a short video about my stay here in Speyer, the work that I’m doing and the places I’m visiting …something along the lines of the video on my website ….but with a German flavour. Mike is planning to follow the progress of my big drawing ….when it’s started that is….so no pressure then!!!

Anyway, here are the six paintings I’ve currently completed during the first half of my stay in Speyer. Four of them are based on Speyer subject ….three of these about the cathedral …I’m really caught by the shear size and bulk of this old building. The other Speyer piece comes from my visit to the ancient baths in the old Jewish quarter of Speyer. The other two paintings are ‘Scottish’ works. I’ve had plans for these pieces and particularly wanted to do them on a slightly bigger scale than much of my recent works and they work well with the Speyer townscape pieces.

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'Late afternoon, the cathedral, Speyer'

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'Written in stone, the cathedral, Speyer'

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'The cathedral, Speyer - painting #1'

Anyway, all these paintings will be on display at the end of August when I hold a short exhibition of the work done here ….so if anyone reading this is from Speyer or the surrounding area …please to come along. Of course, as with my studio in Scotland, if you’re passing the door any day ….don’t be afraid to ring the bell …if I’m in, you’re very welcome to come in and see the paintings. For details of the exhibition at the end of August contact: http://www.kuenstlerbund-speyer.de/

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´The ancient bath, Speyer'

'Above Largs, a frozen January morning'

'Above Largs, a frozen January morning'

Increasing scale

Posted by admin on July 3rd, 2010

new-work-on-the-go

New Work On The Go

The studios here in Speyer are quite large and having so much space in which to work is a real luxury. I decided last week that it was about time to work on a larger scale and make the most of the situation.

Thinking about the practicalities of getting work back to Scotland I decided there would have to be limits to the size of the paintings however ….100 cm x 140 cm seemed ideal and Mike went out and got me two pieces of board this size. Being mdf, it weighs quite a lot but I should be able to get the finished pieces back reasonably cheaply with a bit of luck. I also have a large roll of thick white paper …this is 150 cm wide and the roll is several metres in length and so offers me chance to do some pretty big drawings. These will be easier to send home …I’ll just need to find a cardboard tube to protect them.

Of course, working on a large scale means using a lot more materials and although I brought with me a lot of paint, I only brought a fairly small number of oil pastels. But panic not …there happens to be a wonderful art supply company called ‘Boesner’. Their stores are great, the two I’ve been taken to, being situated in large factory units on industrial sites and stocking a HUGE variety of art materials. I’ve never seen anything like it. Mind you, they’re dangerous places …you can end up spending a fortune if you’re not careful! Anyway, I was there to buy pastels. I use “Neopastel” made by a Swiss company I think. They’re fantastic oil pastels, not the cheapest but they’re wonderful colours and are neither too hard or too soft ….perfect I’ve found for working (as I do) on board. “Neopastels” come in a huger range and I was relieved to find the Boesner not only had all of them but also had plenty of each ….this was a serious bit of pastel buying! In the end, I bought just over seventy pastels which should be enough to keep me going while I’m here in Speyer. It may sound a lot, but working with them on board as well as not top of paint, really eats them up, especially when doing large pieces. Anyway, if I don’t use them all here …I’ll have them for the work I’ll be doing on my return to Scotland. Mike Lauter was with me helping to find the colours I needed and he spotted a great little tool for holding the pastels. It’s a bit like an old fashioned cigarette holder and it allows you to use the pastels right down to the end ….should save me having that annoying bag of bits you always end up with! I’ve tried using it and it works well. It allows me to make a greater variety of marks too which is quite interesting.

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'The Cathedral, Speyer'

So far I’ve used one of the big boards as a drawing board and have completed one drawing this size – a loose and vigorous impression of the one end of the cathedral. As with my hill based landscape work, this isn’t an accurate drawing of the structure, I don’t really see that. It does though try to put over something of the great bulk of the structure, especially when seem from the one end. I wasn’t too sure about the drawing when I completed it, but a few days on and I’m getting quite pleased with it.

I’ve started a painting on the other big board. As I’ve said in the past since I’ve been here, I really like the walls of the cathedral. There’s one section that has two semicircular indents that I really like …it reminds me of eyes. So then, very simply, this painting is about this section of the wall. I’m not quite sure how it’ll end up but it’s going to be interesting and great to work on this scale again.

I’m also working on two smaller pieces (80 x 80 cm), one of which is based on the other end of the cathedral and is a fairly abstract piece. The other is a reworking in paint of an earlier smaller Scottish painting. I’m hoping the two pieces will work well together. They’re both coming on well although there’s much work to be done but it does leave me with no new boards to start …..have to speak nicely to Mike and see if he’ll go get another four for me. Right then, typing finished …back to the paint….

‘Ben Lomond from the Luss Hills’

Posted by admin on July 3rd, 2010
'Ben Lomond from the Luss Hills', Acrylic & Pastel, 2008, 30 x 30 cm Ref: 72

'Ben Lomond from the Luss Hills'

‘Ben Lomond from the Luss Hills’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2008, 30 x 30 cm Ref: 72

The forecast for the next couple of days here is hot …ending in thunderstorms on Sunday. It reminded me of a similar summer day we spent up in the hills above Luss. I’ve talked about these hills before …the short circuit of Ben Dubh and Mid Hill being especially fine. One of the reasons for this being the spectacular views out over Loch Lomond and of course across to the most southerly Munro, Ben Lomond.

We normally visit these hills in winter when the days are short but on this occasion with the hot humid weather we thought it’d be a not too exhausting day. In the end it wasn’t too bad, there being a breeze once on the tops and the heavy threatening clouds never developed into anything nasty …the first rumble of thunder would have had us scurrying off down the hillside at double quick time! Ben Lomond across the loch looked quite dark and brooding and I was certainly glad that I wasn’t amongst the weekend crowds on its main path. Between the summit of Ben Dubh and the wee cairn that marks the summit of Mid Hill, the ground descends a little to a particularly rough bit of terrain – peat hags and bog abound, but on the day in question everything was dry and rather frazzled I seem to remember. Anyway, this is the little painting that resulted from this hot and rather sticky day.

‘Winter light, Ben Venue VI’

Posted by admin on June 25th, 2010

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'Winter light, Ben Venue IV'

‘Winter light, Ben Venue VI’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2006, 30 x 30 cm Ref: 50

I did this small painting back in 2006 as one of four, all based on the same idea. These paintings though looked back a few years to one of the first winters we’d spent in Scotland. For a few weeks it was particularly cold – even the water at the harbour side in Irvine froze over for a few days. Anyway, on a clear freezing day, we drove up into the Trossachs to walk the prominent little hill called Ben A’an. This is a fine rocky outpost rising above the forests and overlooking the end of Loch Katrine. It’s something a little under 1500 ft but makes for a great few hours if you catch the weather right. A big path climbs quite steeply through the dense forest gaining height quickly.

On the day in question very little snow had penetrated the thick canopy of conifer branches overhead and it was only at abut the half way point where the trees thin and the ground levels briefly, that we got into some snow. From this point the rocky crags of Ben A’an dominate the view ahead, the path once more climbing steeply through a few more trees and over rocky outcrops to emerge at the side of the hill and in what I seem to remember is a small corrie. The path wanders up here for a while before turning and climbing onto the broad heathery ridge leading to the summit …perched above the main crags of this fine little hill. The views that day were stunning …all the bigger hills were completely covered in bright snow and we looked out over Loch Katrine. For me though, it was the view of Ben Venue opposite us that really drew my gaze. As we descended and the light started to fade it took on the appearance of something much bigger, much grander …it made quite an impression. We went back to walk it later that year but sadly only caught a damp cloudy day and so we got no impression of the hill. We finally made it back just over a year ago …and in good weather it lived up to everything I’d imagined when I’d first seen it on that cold day from Ben A’an.

Into the hills

Posted by admin on June 25th, 2010

agricultural-land-around-speyer

Agricultural land around Speyer

I had an interesting day on Sunday. I was invited to join some friends for a wee tour to see some of the typical local landscape.

We spent the morning looking at some of the very local landscape…..the flat agricultural area adjacent to the Rhine. It’s nearly all crops that are grown here with just a limited amount of grazing. Apparently the humid environment is perfect for the biting insects which can be a real nuisance for both humans and animals alike during the warm summer months. My friends had said the colours of the crops were quite impressive and reminded them of some of my paintings …and they were right. We walked along one path the bordered fields that were just brightly striped with long lines of different crops – different types of lettuce, barley, wheat …and a massive patch of spring onions. It really was quite impressive and I may well try and work a painting out of this strange man made landscape. There were plenty of trees interspersed with the fields as well as villages and further off still …the wooded hills rising several hundred metres and looking very inviting through my monocular.

After this we went down to the side of the Rhine …only to be surprised to find it flooding and the path along it’s banks under water in places. This section though was protected by a large dyke about fifty metres from the rivers edge and we were able to walk along looking out across the fast moving and rather muddy waters. Apparently there had been very heavy rain in the Alps recently and we were looking at the results.

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A view from the castle

After lunch we drove south and then west, moving from the flat agricultural areas to rising ground, vines and beautiful old villages of timber framed farm houses. As we gained height the hills stretching right across the horizon to the west, grew more impressive and were clearly heavily wooded. Around us now were just vast areas of vines …it was absolutely beautiful. Within a short time we were getting close to the first of the hills. They were not particularly high, rising to perhaps a little over 400m, but rose steeply from the surrounding areas of vine and their sides and tops were thickly wooded. The road we were on climbed and entered these woods, zigzagging its way uphill to reach a large car park …a popular spot evidently. From here a broad path wandered its way uphill through the trees. It was rich deciduous woodland full of birdsong …but in the dense mass of branches and leaves it was difficult to see the singers!

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In the hills, sw of Speyer

After about a kilometre the forest cleared to reveal a magnificent ruined castle. It was well preserved and sat atop the hill, built into the natural sandstone. The ramparts fell steeply away and offered magnificent views all around….west across numerous low wooded hills towards France, and in the other direction out across the plains towards the Rhine and the slightly higher hills of the Black Forest. The weather was bright but with large white clouds that created deep shadows across the fields and small villages below us …a stunning patchwork of the German landscape. Being one used to the Scottish hills, it was a little surprising to find that there was a bar /cafe here at the top of the hill …but never liking to miss out I enjoyed a very pleasant beer and caught myself wondering whether such facilities at the top of Beinn an Dothaidh or Ben Starav would be a good idea. Possibly after hauling myself up these I might think it was a good idea …but perhaps the peace, quiet and the horizontal rain and gnawing midges would be best enjoyed without a beer tent!

We watched a falcon of some type turn and swoop around the top of the castle and then we headed back towards the car by a different path. It was a great little day and a fine introduction to the regions landscape.

‘Blackmount, autumn’

Posted by admin on June 18th, 2010

'Blackmount Autumn' , acrylic pastel 2007, 75 x23 cm Ref: 53

'Blackmount, Autumn'

‘Blackmount, autumn’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2007, 76 x 23 cm

A couple of years ago we travelled up to visit an old friend and colleague (the sculptor Keith Barrett) who was undertaking a huge commission in Inverness. It was late October and the weather had taken its first steps towards winter and had gone decidedly cold. We set off early taking the slightly longer but more scenic route up the shores of Loch Lomond, and through Glen Coe to reach the Great Glen which we followed through Fort William to Inverness.

As we reached Loch Lomond and the first hills it became apparent that we’d not be seeing too much that day. Thick banks of low grey cloud hung to the tops and sides of all the hills, occasionally breaking to give a glimpse of brightness from the early morning sun …but not really promising much. As we reached the higher hills around Crianlarich Anita spotted through breaks in the cloud, snow on the upper slopes ….but I never saw this. Then further on as the A82 climbs up onto Blackmount and Rannoch Moor, I caught my first sight of it. A thick belt of cloud was starting to break up and clear, revealing the snow covered tops of Beinn Toaig and it’s higher neighbour Stob a’ Choire Odhair.

There always a great thrill in seeing the first snow of the coming winter …the long summer days are well gone and the short more challenging days and conditions are upon us. Sadly the cloud didn’t continue to lift and this brief view of the hills was the best I got that day…. definitely worthy of a painting I thought.

Holiday booking – May 2011

Posted by admin on June 18th, 2010

On Cul Mor, Assynt

On Cul Mor, Assynt

I was talking with my partner yesterday evening about the various commitments I have for 2011. Despite it being some time away I already have a number of things lined up. In February I have a solo show of work at the Strathearn Gallery in Creiff …it’s a big space and will take a lot of filling – around 45 pieces of work apparently. Later, in the autumn, I’ve been invited to show work as part of the 2011 Dundee Mountain Film Festival. This runs for one weekend but each year they invite one artist and one photographer to show a selection of their work as part of the festival. At some stage next year, possibly in August, I’ve been invited to show work in a group exhibition at the Queens Gallery in Dundee. So then, as I say, I have a few things lined up ….and no holiday booked! As I’ve said in past blogs, we normally go away for the first two weeks in May and so, not as to miss out, we decided to book a place well ahead ….otherwise I’ll agree to something and we’ll miss our spring trip to the Highlands!

´From the summit, Ben Stack'

´From the summit, Ben Stack'

I think I must be getting old because in the past we always used to go somewhere different each year. Back in 2006 however we ventured north to Assynt for the first time ….and fell in love with the place. We went back the following year and then again last year. Guess what? We’re booking again for 2011! The thing is, it’s not just the stunning landscape, the beautiful spring colours, the magnificent wildlife and the friendly welcome everywhere, it’s also that we’ve found the most idyllic little place in which to stay. Being walkers, we like to get out early and arrive back late …and so we’re not really hotel or B&B people ….we like to self cater and then we can do exactly what we want to do at the time we want to do it. In 2006 we were looking for just such a place, either a cottage or static caravan ….and while Nita was trawling through the web pages she came across one advertising ‘Hill head Caravans’ in Achmelvich on the coast just north of Lochinver. It sounded perfect – a small group of vans set just back from a beautiful sandy beach …and just four miles from Lochinver. Well to call it perfect is an understatement. When we arrived that first holiday we couldn’t really believe quite what we’d found. You get to Achmelvich on a small single track road with stunning views down to a little sea loch below and bigger views across to the Assynt peaks. The wee road winds its way down to the community of Achmelvich. Maysie and Durrant MacLeod, the owners of the small site, were so friendly on our arrival and the vans were spotless, set just five minutes from the beach. In early May it was fairly quite here and when we set eyes on the beautiful curving white sands of the beach …there was hardly anyone else on it …just numerous birds and an odd seal bobbing about in the bay …wow, what a place to stay for two weeks.

'Suilven from Canisp, Assynt'

'Suilven from Canisp, Assynt'

We were lucky the first year there, the weather was very kind to us, it being hot and sunny and dry most of the time. We had wonderful days walking and exploring some of the famous Assynt hills, Canisp, Suilven, Conival and Quinag and spent less active days wandering along the rocky coastline or just sitting enjoying the peace and quiet of Achmelvich.

In the end then, it’s hardly surprising that we went back two more times …there’s hills a plenty and peace and quiet enough to un-wrangle the most stressed out brain. Here is to May 2011 and another bit of pure Scottish magic.

For more information click Hillhead in Achmelcich, Assynt.

‘Autumn moss, autumn mists, Glen Falloch’

Posted by admin on June 10th, 2010
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"Autumn moss, autumn mists, Glen Falloch"

“Autumn moss, autumn mists, Glen Falloch”

As an artist, every now and again you do a piece of work that you feel is better than what you’ve done before …a step forward. This little painting was one such piece. Nothing amazing, but it made a big leap forward in my work. Based on a very misty day we had in Glen Falloch a few years ago when the views around were few and most of the time I had my head facing the ground. We were heading for An Casteil and the ground leading to the lower slopes is rough and in places boggy … the colours of the mosses and grass were wonderful. Everything was coated in dampness and autumn had definitely arrived.

Back in Scotland

Posted by admin on June 10th, 2010
'Below Goat Fell, Isle of Arran', Acrylic & Pastel, 2010

'Below Goat Fell, Isle of Arran'

I’m in a strange situation at the moment. I’m living and working here in Speyer yet arranging (with huge amounts of help from my partner Anita in Irvine) a joint exhibition with fellow Courtyard Studios artist, Alison Thomas. The six week long exhibition is to be held at Blairmore Gallery near Dunoon where we had a short exhibition together early last year.

Of course I had to get all the work finished before leaving for Germany back in early May, but several pieces had still to be framed and all the works labelled and wrapped …these jobs fell to Anita on her return to Irvine.

The exhibition opens on Friday 18th and June and Anita and Alison are taking the work up to the gallery tomorrow. This is definitely not such an onerous task as which ever way you go to get there, it’s very pleasant. To drive all the way means a lengthy trip north up the side of Loch Lomond and then up and over The Rest and Be Thankful, before heading south through more beautiful country, to reach the gallery at Blairmore.

'East from Ben Lui, April', Acrylic & Pastel, 2010, 30 x 30cm
‘East from Ben Lui, April’

The other alternative, equally enjoyable, is to drive up the Ayrshire coast to Gourock and catch the ferry across to Dunoon. It’s about a twenty five minute crossing and there’s always something to see along the way – porpoises on one occasion, a submarine on another …and the views of the hills to the west and north are particularly fine from the middle of the Firth of Clyde. From Dunoon it’s just a twenty minute drive around the loch side to Blairmore and its fantastic gallery. I’ve been exhibiting work at the gallery for several years now and it always makes for a great little day out.

The exhibition will include ten pieces of work by each of us. My work will include pieces based on visits to the Isle of Arran, Ben Lui and the Drumochter Hills as well as three recent sketches. I haven’t seen much of Alison’s recent work but although our work is very different, we do have a shared interest in texture, marks and colour which should make for a good show. As I’ll not be getting to see this exhibition, if anyone reading this does see it, I’d appreciate hearing what you think.

The Blairmore Gallery is a great place. It’s in a wonderful location on the side of the loch and it has a fine tea shop in which to enjoy a cuppa and something to eat while looking at the paintings. Hope you like the show……and the tea and fine food too. You’ll be sure to get a warm welcome at the Blairmore Gallery from the proprietors Sylvia and Steve.

'The Ben Lawers group', Acrylic & Pastel, 2010, 76 x 23

'The Ben Lawers group'

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