The National Trust has taken over a house that had a bad fire in 2011 and has opened it up to the public. It isn't a fancy mansion or a stately home but a large house that has been cleaned and is now free from fire damage. (well some rooms are still closed off) It is a hands on kind of place and one room has a long table, lots of drawing implements and even plastic aprons for little ones. They let me sit and paint a view of the lake at Grasmere from one of the windows. Not my best painting but painting on the spot is not the easiest thing to do, and to do such a view justice is an impossible task.
Here is my view from Allan Bank compared to the actual view. A lovely memory, far better than any photograph!
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The house is part way up a hill although it looks flat. I exaggerated the island, which is hidden by the trees, as it is an integral part of the Lake. Yep, I have more muscles now from chopping down those old trees.
I came home to find I have lost my place on Joanne Boon Thomas's brusho course, as the email asking for my deposit came while I was away. Talk about bad timing! I was so looking forward to it.
I came back to so many lovely paintings by my blogging friends, and while I will try and look at them all, I doubt if I will have time to comment on them. I intend to do more painting and less time on t'internet. Wonder if I will keep it up, well perhaps the odd sneaky look now and then. Happy blogging
PS Had to add that I have now heard that I am actually on Joanne's Brusho course. So chuffed.
PS Had to add that I have now heard that I am actually on Joanne's Brusho course. So chuffed.
So glad you had a great time Polly. Just love your soft landscape. I keep saying you ought to do more. You and me both about spending less time on the PC. So go off and enjoy that painting cos I am right now... :-)
ReplyDeletePainting cancelled til Monday. Researching what to paint. Thanks for your comments on my landscape. It was so lovely to sit and paint the real life view in front of me. I was left alone so no pressure.
DeletePolly lovely sketch. Looks beautiful where you are. Hope you have lots of fun. Take care and happy painting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie. It really is picturesque. Beatrix Potter film was shot near Grasmere.
DeleteWondered where you had got to you Polly, glad you had a lovely break and still managed to paint. Your landscape is lovely. I remember Grassmere from a trip we did back in 2000 when we came to England and what a beautiful spot it is. I try and limit my office work as I call it to first thing in the morning with my coffee where I comment and catch up on blogs, fb, emails etc. I sneak a look at fb during the day but I paint for a minimum of 6 hours a day so a little break during this time is OK
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely to paint for 6 hours! You must love it but also be very disciplined. I am easily distracted by my hubs taking me out for afternoon tea and lunch. Bad for my painting time and for my calorie intake. Facebook is very compulsive but now the weather is a little better I so want to try and pluck up courage and go en plein air somewhere this year's project, but it is still so cold. I am pleased you remembered Grasmere fondly. It is once of my favourite places in the whole wide world.
DeleteA nice sketch Polly. :)I hope you enjoyed your time there. The scenery looks great!
ReplyDeleteOh I had a lovely time in Grasmere. It wouldn't be so green and lovely if it didn't rain so much. :(
Deletebeautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteThank you Last Cup of Coffee Lady!!!!!!
DeleteYou don't do yourself justice, it's a lovely painting and that view will stay with you forever!
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right the view is very special. I think that painting on the spot is the hardest but most rewarding and whatever the outcome I remember the sounds the smells the atmosphere. Far more expressive than a photograph. Have a lovely weekend.
DeletePolly you really did justice to the landscape and made a beautiful painting of this gorgeous view ! Just paint Polly and don't worry about the comments :-) Wish you a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane. As kind as you are no one could paint that view any better than nature has already. Do have a lovely weekend.
DeleteThis is a gorgeous painting Polly you have a way with landscapes - I agree that there is nothing like painting outside with the view in front of you although I've never painted anything as lovely as this. Grasmere is a beautiful place - I was there a few months ago, we ate at the Lamb I think after a walk up Helm Crag and Calf Crag, it was great as we could take Holly in there, she flaked out in front of the log fire!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sharon. I did nothing but landscapes at one time, now I have a love of anything I can get my head round. Very apt you should eat at the Lamb after going up Helm Crag (The Lion and the Lamb for those who don't know it's other name) & Calf Crag. In general the Lakes welcome dirty boots and animals and of course people. Holly would have looked really snug by that lovely fire. One night we ate at Ash Cottage opposite, worth a try if you go again and like big portions. Hope you're having a lovely weekend.
DeleteHi, Polly, you're so productive and creative!! The work is very lovely. Wow, you paint everything and your lovely humour is nice!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Sadami
Thank you happy Sadami! I don't want to be just a landscape painter, I want to be able to paint anything. That is the journey I am now on. I am bursting with ideas but need to make some time to paint. I already have a busy life being retired!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteBeautiful! Love the colors--the blue really pops amid all the neutrals. I want to visit--and paint--the Lake District sometime, hopefully with five fun-loving friends!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful place to paint if the weather is good. It is just finding the right places to paint that are accessible. Hope you make it.
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