Ferrycarrig Paint-Out

Our local plein air group went to the Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, just outside Wexford town, yesterday. A disappointingly cloudy day (apart from when we took a break for lunch!), so I decided to have fun. A little imagination led to a lot of colour!

Pond Ripples, Ferrycarrig
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

High Tide, Ferrycarrig

(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

And a couple of photos of both scenes:-

A Day in Kells, Co Kilkenny

We had a group paint-out on Sunday to the picturesque little village of Kells, Co Kilkenny. Despite being very chilly with a strong wind and a couple of heavy showers, there was lovely crisp light when the sun shone. As usual, the river called me, despite being even colder down there! I managed to get two done before the prospect of a pint and chat with friends in Shirley's Bar proved irrestible!

King's River, Near Kells
(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

The Small Weir, Near Kells
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

A couple of photos of both scenes:-

The Last Day!

Well Day 5 of my West Kerry painting trip! And what a day it turned out to be, not a cloud in the sky all day, and the Atlantic looking a Mediterranean turquoise blue. I arrived at Coumeenole at about 8-00am, and did this one looking South over the beach.

Going Surfing, Coumeenoole
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

I just walked over to the far side of Dunmore Head for my second one, but brought two panels with me, since I planned to complete two before returning to my car. I was amazed at the colour of the sea - I don't think I've ever seen the sea this colour in Ireland.

Towards Dunquin (From Dunmore Head)
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

Things went a bit downhill after that. For some reason which escapes me, I decided to walk right out to the Western tip of Dunmore Head (that means climbing as well as walking), lugging all my gear plus a wet painting. When I got out there, it wasn't particularly inspiring, so I just settled for painting what was in front of me (rarely a good idea). A couple of hours later, I realised that I now had quite a long hike back, this time with two wet painting (and no carrier box)! I must have been a sorry sight trudging towards my car about an hour later! This was not quite the end to the week I had in mind, but a well deserved pint of Guinness when I got home cheered me up a bit!

I tried to "rescue" the painting by adding the figures later, but it is still probably the weakest of the series. I like the title though.

"The End", Dunmore Head
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

Here are some photos of the scenes:-

A Week in West Kerry (Day 4)

My first one from Day 4. I had my eye on this scene all week and was determined to get up early enough to catch the sun in the right place, should the weather clear.
 
Morning Glow, Milltown (Near Dingle)
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

My second from Day 4. I wasted a lot of time trying to find a place to get at this view. I eventually took a chance on trespassing on some farmland, but thankfully got away with it!

Towards Clogher Head, Near Ferriter's Cove

(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

My third from Day 4. I had quite an audience while painting this iconic view, but it was fun.

Evening Glow, Coumeenoole

(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

Here are some photos of the scenes:-

I'll post the final three tomorrow, if I get time.

A Week in West Kerry (Day 3)

It was sunny when I headed West at about 8-00am (I had a lie in!). I could see a lot of cloud ahead and then the weather forecaster said it would be cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the West all day. I actually considered turning around at one stage. When I got there it was indeed starting to rain fairly heavily, so I found a spot under a rockface, where I could just about paint. I saw what I thought was the last of the sunlight for the day hitting Mount Brandon in the distance, and settled on that for my first one.

Towards Mount Brandon (From Clogher Head)
(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

Just as I was finishing, it stopped raining and I could see a lot of clear weather heading my way. The weather forecast proved to be completely wrong, as it turned into a beautiful day. I decided to head back to Clogher Strand, where I had painted the previous day, but this time I went further out along the cliff - the sea had calmed down enough to make it safe to do so.

Sunny Afternoon, Near Clogher Strand
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

I was feeling fairly tired by late afternoon, so I decided not to go too far, so just up the headland (An Drom) and liked the light looking West towards Inis Tuaisceart, the most Northerly of the Blasket Islands.

Afternoon Glow, Near Clogher Strand
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

Here are some photos of the scenes:-

More to follow tomorrow.

A Week in West Kerry (Day 2)

It was overcast and drizzly by the time I got to West Kerry, but there was terrific action in the sea, which meant a little rain wasn't going to stop me! I drove out to Cuas an Bhodaigh for my first one - I know this area very well as it is only about a half mile from where my mother was born, and I spent a lot of my chidhood there, basically exploring all the places Mum told me not to go near!


The harbour and pier weren't particularly enticing, so I walked a few hundred yards east along Brandon Creek and found this amazing display of Atlantic power.

Rough Seas, Near Brandon Creek, West Kerry
(12" x 12" Oil on Board)

I then drove West to Clogher Strand, knowing that this can be a dramatic place when there is a good swell in the sea. It didn't dissapoint. I can still hear the loud boom when a big wave hit the large rock in the middleground, followed immediately by a cheer from the enthuiastic "audience". There's a sign warning that this beach is unsafe for swimming, as if anyone needed to be told on a day like this!  Real fun - plein air painting doesn't get much better than this! And it stopped raining too!

Stormy Day, Clogher Strand
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

I was under a bit of time pressure as I was meeting my brother and his wife for dinner later, so I just walked up the headland (An Drom)  for my last one of the day.

Towards Clogher Head, An Drom
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

Here are some photos of the scenes:-

More to come tomorrow.

A Week in West Kerry (Day 1)

I painted for five days last week in West Kerry (South West Ireland). I was based about an hour and a half's drive away, so considering that I spent at least three hours in my car every day, my average of three paintings a day wasn't too bad.

Monday started out sunny, but clouded by early afternoon. This was my first, painted right down on Coumeenoole Strand, Slea Head. Hard to beat morning shadows on a beach.

Morning Shadows, Coumeenoole Strand
(10" x 12" Oil on Board)

I then moved a little further North towards Dunquin and got drawn towards this scene on the way down to the pier. No ferry's to the Great Blasket Island that day as the sea was too rough.


Down Towards the Pier, Dunquin
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

For my final one of the day, by which time it had gotten cloudy, I drove a couple of miles further North and found this spot just a couple of yards down from the Blasket Interpretive Centre.


Toward the Great Blasket, Dunquin
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

I'll post some more tomorrow, when I get around to photographing them.

These are photos of the three scenes above:-

Keeping it Simple

It's nice when you turn up somewhere and know exactly what you want to paint within a few minutes. And then make a conscious decision to keep it very simple and eliminate all unnecessary detail. Well that's what happened to me at a paint-out with some friends yesterday. Turned out to be a cold, wet afternoon, but I got this one in before the rain came down.



Before the Rain, St Mullins
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

   
 
   
This is a photo of the scene:-