Welcome to Polly's Blog

Welcome to Polly's Blog
Watercolour, humour, this and that

Friday 9 May 2014

LAKE DISTRICT EN PLEIN AIR

While in this lovely area, I went out with a proper artist, and we managed to find two fine days to paint on the spot.

I am still recovering from painting this one!!!!   It kept raining so I kept picking up the seat easel and running to shelter, however, one of the times I tripped, fortunately a chair broke my fall, or I probably would have hit my head on a wall.  But boy did I hurt my hand, and my knee.  Should have painted the bruise, it was large and full of rich colours!  It is the view from Allan Bank, a small National Trust property on a hill overlooking the lake at Grasmere.  Wordsworth once lived there.

Sizergh Castle Near Kendal.  A lovely spot with beautiful sloping gardens. I felt I ruined this, as at the last minute I decided to darken the water.  Anyway it was a lovely spot and I enjoyed myself.

Have a wonderful weekend to one and all.

16 comments:

  1. My dear Polly… you are a proper artist, a klutz maybe also… glad the chair broke your fall… sounds like a bad one with colorful bruises. I really like both these paintings… lovely peaceful, birds chirping, water lapping on the shore heaven on earth… yes.

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    1. Yep, a klutz, like the word. Accident prone really (in real terms careless). Lambs in a nearby field leaping was an occasional distraction. Perfect day.

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  2. Dear Polly - so sorry to hear you hurt yourself. Out of all this pain though you managed to paint a beautiful piece of work my friend. I don't think it is ruined at all...it would seem to me that the water closest to you would be dark. I just love it. Take care and have a wonderful week-end.

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    1. Thanks Debbie. I will remember that painting for more reasons than one. Knee just a nice yellow colour now, kind of Raw Sienna!

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  3. I'm sorry you got hurt, but luckily you didn't break anything. You have to be careful out there. Both of these are lovely, especially the one of the castle. The dark water really pulls you in!

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    1. Thank you for your sympathy and encouragement. I am rather like a bull in a china shop sometimes.

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  4. Hello Polly, I think you should call yourself a proper artist , your works are always great, and these two certainly are too . I specially love the second one , the colors are so beautiful and there is this nice feeling of serenity to it. If you don't like the dark water , you could always cut some of it off , that's the freeing thing about working on paper.

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    1. Thanks Jane. I just think of myself as a hobby artist. Your feeling of serenity is just how it was and your idea for cropping some of the water is a really good one. Have a lovely weekend

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  5. oh oh, now don't get bitten by the "plein air" bug! haha...next thing you know you'll make a habit of this. haha. I love both paintings. Sorry you had a fall. I could write a book about the things that happen to me while painting outdoors! Makes things extra-interesting.

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    1. It was lovely painting outdoors, but the hardest. Deciding just what to paint for a start. Glad to know I am not the only one who has 'happenings' while painting. Happy Sunday

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  6. They say that art takes sacrifice, but you better try to play it safe, Polly! Sorry that you got hurt and hopefully you recover quickly.
    Both paintings are very beautiful! I really like the water in the second one

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    1. Oh glad you like the water Blaga. Perhaps it isn't too bad after all. Thanks for your visit to my blog and for your sympathy

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  7. Hi Polly
    I love how adventurous you are with your painting - always exploring different media, styles and subjects and I enjoy sharing your experiences along the way (good or bad). Sympathise with the fall/bruising as I'd likely be just as clumsy but glad that it didn't stop you producing these 2 mini masterpieces LOL

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    1. Thanks Sue. And thank you for following me through my highs and lows. I really do appreciate it. As to masterpieces - one day I will paint something I like en plein air. Find it the hardest thing to do.

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  8. Love both of your beautiful paintings of the Lake District, such a beautiful place Polly. Thank you for your hug and sending one right back to you. Annette x

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  9. Polly- these are fabulous. I am drawn to the castle one because I am so familiar with the scene. The dark water was a perfect addition adding much to the light on the building. I find
    the Lake District to be the area I remember most about growing up in England. Took my husband there about seven years ago and he held the brolly while I painted places where Wordsworth wrote some of his poetry.

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