I really loved the gorgeous muted autumnal colours at Longshaw Estate on my walk last week. I stopped to do a few sketches en route.
SKETCHBOOK: Longshaw in November
higger tor
Walking, sketching, inspiration
Not much to report from the studio this week but here are a few snapshots from behind the scenes.
As well as grabbing as much painting time as I can between all the Other Things, I’ve been working on lots of shop updates and improvements, and I’ve put aside the guilt (mostly) and made time for a few sketch/walks out in the Peak District for some autumnal sunshine and inspiration.
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Moorland colours and textures
Some lovely late winter moorland colours and textures from Higger Tor and Hathersage Moor inspiring me this week.
Moorland Mist and Cotton Grass
We’ve had some pretty damp, foggy days this summer in the UK. The Peak District has been particularly bleak but wild, atmospheric and beautiful. This new painting is inspired by the mist and cotton grass on Hathersage Moor this June.
Available as an A4 print and A6 greeting card in my Folksy Shop.
Hazy January Sunshine at Higger Tor and free February Desktop Wallpaper Calendar thing
Scroll to the bottom for the free Desktop Wallpaper Calendar thingy!
The moors are beautiful on days like this. I mean, they’re beautiful always, but cold, bleak and hazy is one of my favourites. Colours begin so muted that they’re almost imperceptible. As the fog starts to lift, the odd flash of sunlight breaks through and bounces off silvery pools of water that have formed in dips in the gritstone. Then suddenly the cloud clears, the sun comes out and everything is glorious technicolour (well, still mostly grey and brown).
I was there with an outdoor playgroup, ushering/carrying my small person and a bag full of snacks rather than any drawing equipment, so I couldn’t sketch on-site this time. Cool playgroup though, hey?
Braved getting my paints out later while he slept. Tried to creep around and not wake him up. Got paint all over my keyboard. Didn’t swear. Managed a quick gouache and charcoal sketch based on my photos.
I’ve made it into a Desktop Wallpaper/calendar thing! Do people even use those? View and download it for free here anyway (click on image to view full size then right click and save):
Let me know if you use it and if it’s any good and I might make more.
Nap time sketching in the Peak District
Sketching the Peak District landscape in pen and watercolour from the car while the baby naps.
