Monday 27 June 2011

Cornwall in May - Vivien

Dawn across the bay, oil about 14 ins or so across

 Life has been getting in the way of me posting here so I thought I'd do a big post of images from a trip to Cornwall in May.   Most have been on my blog but you can see them together here.

What interests me is the changing light and colour as time, season and weather pass.    As the day moves on the colours change constantly, by the minute, the tide moves in or out, clouds change the colours, the sun moves from behind the silhouetted cliffs - ever changing.  It's great to revisit the same view in the way that Sarah has with the creek near her home and Jeanette does with the bays, Katherine does with the ecology park.  Some of these are of the same view, others are from different viewpoints or a few miles along the coast.

Sunset over the bay, coloured pencil

 Double page spread, across the beach, afternoon light, double page spread in the Canson watercolour sketchbook (pages are 12 ins wide), watercolour/mixed media

I use whatever medium either fits in with the time/family committments I have available or suits the subject.

We shared a house with my daughter, her husband, 3 year old grandson and 5 month old grandaughter - which inevitably affected painting time and materials.   I did manage to get out painting  alone though, leaving the family to their own devices :>)

The Crowns at Botallack, A3, charcoal and ink

 The Crowns again, inktense and coloured pencil

 The family wouldn't have tolerated sitting in the wind while I did the above charcoal sketch for instance - and my blood runs cold at keeping hyperactive grandson away from those sheer drops!

 Ink and wash sketch in the Canson watercolour book, The Crowns again

Porthgwarra, oil, approx 14 ins

 Porthgwarra is a little cove that is accessed via a cave - the tide was in and so there was no beach.   This was done sitting on the cliff top with a seal bobbing in the waves watching us.   Himself sat happily in the sun - it was windy but we were sheltered.   The programme 'Coast' explained yesterday how those waves are created by winds way out at sea, not so much local conditions.   Up to thousands of miles away.

The USA is somewhere off over the horizon :>)  - the first transatlantic telephone cables were laid from the nearby beach at Porthcurno (very very beautiful).

detail



Study of dawn colours across the bay, coloured pencil in moleskine sketchbook, A5


Study of afternoon colours across the bay from the house, coloured pencil in moleskine sketchbook, A5


Moorland Stream and ancient pack horse bridge, watercolour and mixed media on A3 sketchpad

Moorland stream in moleskine sketchbook, ink and coloured pencil. A5


There are more but this is probably enough!

Now I need to go and get the paints out and do some more work.

11 comments:

Jeanette Jobson said...

These images bring me to Cornwall with you. I love the colours in the sea and how they change constantly from dawn to dusk.

The Crowns are fascinating and I'd love to see them in person and sketch or paint them.

vivien said...

They featured in the programme COAST this week, which showed how the big steam engines in those engine houses worked and looked with computer wizardry - absolutely fascinating. There was a big beam that balanced on those thick walls.

I always imagined that the roof had fallen in - but they were actually open to the sky with this big beam rocking on top of the wall working the pumps.

Get yourself a ticket Jeanette :>) there are a few people who keep saying they would like to meet up and paint there....

Theresa Evans said...

Such evocative paintings, Vivien. I especially like the energy in 'Porthgwarra'. You can feel the fresh sea air!

Just about to embark on a family holiday in the area and this has really whetted my appetite to pack my paints!

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

A beautiful array of images to indulge in vivien..love them all, from the seascapes to the cgharcoal work and of course the Moorland colors. I always adore your seascapes with its special range of color you play with...and YES, very soon...we'll get to cornwall, all of us and I can try and see if I can get some of the same effects you do!
Ronelle

Laura said...

So gorgeous and evocative, Vivien. So perfect to look at here today, when it is hellishly hot and dry. I want to come to Cornwall and paint with you and Jeanette and Ronell!!

vivien said...

thanks :>)

So all we need are a couple of large houses to rent ........

it would be brilliant!

fatmonica said...

beautiful paintings!I love the Crowns coloured with Inktense pencils.I found your blog by chance and am now following to see more!

AnneG said...

These are the perfect escape scenes I'd want in my office. Glad I found a place to see them. You're a fantastic artist. Have you read this yet? Endangered Artists

vivien said...

thanks Monica :>)

Shelley Whiting said...

Your work is very delicate and soft. Also very expressive and loose. Beautiful and elegant artwork.

vivien said...

thank you Shelley :>)