Kilmore Quay Paint-Out

We had a group paint-out at the little fishing village of Kilmore Quay yesterday (26/2/12). It can be a nightmare to paint there mid-week, because the subject matter has a tendency to leave half-way through the painting, but the boats tend to mostly stay put on Sundays. It was disappointingly cool and dull, compared to the previous day which was warm and sunny and felt almost like summer. Still, when on a paint-out, you just get on with it.

For my first one, I found myself getting interested in the negative space between these boats, with the occasional ripples adding further interest.

In-Between, Kilmore Quay
(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

For my second, I like the painting challenge of these rusty old fishing boats. Tried to "draw" accurately but not tightly.

Old-Timers, Kilmore Quay

(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

I took a couple of photos of both scenes, before I started. As often happens in poor light, the photos suggest a much brighter day than it actually was.

Culleton's Gap/Raven's Point Paint-Out

A group paint-out yesterday at the beautiful seaside location of Raven's Point a few miles North of Wexford town. Here one has the opportunity of painting the beach, sand dunes or the adjacent forest. We were all surprised to find so many people out walking there on a Sunday morning - it was nearly as busy as it would be in mid-summer. It was a beautiful clear, sunny morning, but quite cold. After a frosty start, it eventually got up to about 7-8C (c 45F). Most of us opted for the forest, even though it felt colder in there. Anyway, I just went for the obvious, painting people heading off walking from Culleton's Gap towards Raven's Point. But, sometimes, the obvious can be the best painting subject.

Morning Walk, Culleton's Gap
(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

This is a photo of the scene, taken before I started:-

A Bright Winter Day at Johnstown Castle

Our plein air group went to nearby Johnstown Castle and gardens on Sunday last. After a dull, misty start, it turned into a beautiful clear day. I only did the one painting (I think staring into the sun took its toll on my eyes!).



February Morning, Johnstown Castle
(14" x 11" Oil on Board)

This is a photo of the scene taken before I started:-

Group Paint-Out at Forth Mountain

We stayed local for our group paint-out on Sunday last (5/2/12). Very local for me, and I've painted the rocks up there several times. But I always seem to find a different angle or interesting light to get me interested. For my first one, I braved the bighting wind for about an hour and a half in a very exposed spot.


Winter Morning, Forth Mountain
(11" x 14" Oil on Board)

It was threatening rain by early afternoon (and there was a rugby match to watch - for my American friends, think Superbowl, but without all the stoppages and ad breaks), so I worked really fast and got my second one about 90% complete, finishing it in the studio this morning.

The Mass Rock, Forth Mountain

(12" x 10" Oil on Board)

These are photos of both scenes:-