Painting in Provence, France

Painting in Provence, France

Lavender Fields near Sault, with Mount Ventoux in the distance

Last year we were fortunate to travel from Sydney and spend a week painting "en plein air" with Julian Merrow-Smith in the Vaucluse area of Provence. Julian is well known for his blog featuring the daily auction of his small paintings  "Postcards from Provence" .

In addition to Julian's expert mentoring whilst painting this wonderful landscape, we were accommodated at La Madelene, and what an exceptional experience it was. It is a beautifully renovated 12th century priory near Malaucene.  

La Madelene 

Our hosts Philip and Jude are exceptional hosts.  Click to read more
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Plockton, Scotland

Always enjoy visiting Plockton when returning to Scotland.  It has been 16 years since I last visited and it is still as beautiful & picturesque as always. The village is located on the west coast just about 5 miles north of the Kyle of Lochalsh where the new Isle of Skye road bridge meets the mainland.

Due to the currents the seas are warm but it is quite a surprise to see palms trees (similar to the Pandamus trees we have in Australia) lining the shore front. If you were a fan of the TV series Hamish Macbeth starring Robert Carlyle, then it will look familiar as it was the setting for the fictional town of Lochdubh.

Stayed in the pub and we had a great view from our bedroom over Loch Carron.  In the evening the loch is usually very quiet, but this evening we were lucky to see a regatta as a fleet of sailing boats in the distance - they emerged from "who knows where". One with blue sails joining them from the just in front of the village. We were able to get a few watercolour sketches done on the spot and afterwards an oil of the boat with blue sails

Watercolour over 2 pages of a foldout watercolour sketch book

Oil on Board  16 x 8 inches (40 x 20 cm)

Watercolour over 2 pages of a Strathmore Watercolour Sketchbook

More information on the website for "Undiscovered Scotland"

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Santiago and Lima - Arriving in South America

After a 12 hour flight from Sydney to the other side of the Pacific Ocean, we land in Santiago, Chile. As we need to wait 5 hours at the airport for a connection to Lima in Peru, it is a good excuse to get the sketchbook out and test the small watercolour kit that I will be using for this trip. I have shrunk my usual kit down to basic essentials,which fits in a pencil case.(but a largish one)

 

It comprises of :-

• A Winsor and Newtown watercolour field box, but I replace the standard pans with tube colours of my choice. I also leave dried colours on the palette as it gives me nice greys. The top of this box acts as a water reservoir. I bought this box online from the UK at 40% of what they sell for in Australia.
• Two soft brushes for washes, which I wrap in the bamboo mat you see underneath. I have tried all sorts of expensive brush containers whilst travelling but they all end up bending the brush tips. Wrapping the brushes in the bamboo and securing with an elastic band is the best way I have found to safely carry soft brushes, and it cost all of $1.
• A soft pencil 4b and a mechanical pencil with a putty rubber.
• White gouache occasionally used for highlights and error fixing. Need to watch you don't use much as it can kill the freshness of a sketch.
• A grey pen, waterbrush and a few water soluble colour pencils round the kit out.

Sketching enhances my observation skills and gives me a vivid and a detailed image in my mind of the places that I have been to. I don't get this quality of observation when using a camera and at times need to resist seeing a trip through a camera lens which provides a very constrained view. Another advantage to sketching is that it is an "icebreaker" and you meet many people who come up and talk to you.

 Santiago airport  8 x 5.5 inches (20 x 14 cms) Watercolour and pencil on Stillman and Birn beta Paper   

Due to a temperature inversion layer, Santiago is usually very misty and at times the hills at the airport just vanished. We flew on to Lima, the capital of Peru which lies about 12 degrees south of the equator. Like Santiago we unexpectedly arrived in a mist. Lima is surrounded by desert and it hardly rains during the year. In fact it is one of the driest capital cities in the world. Water is diverted down from the Andes and public parks are watered by trucks. Hydro is used for power.

The mist was quite unexpected considering the location of both cities. It is quite humid and the unusual weather is due to the locations on the Pacific Ocean near the foothills of the Andes. The cool Humboldt current runs along the coast and reduces the effect of the tropical sun and producing the high humidity causing the clouds and mist. The Andes Mountains prevents the west coast of Peru from receiving tropical storms and rains from the Amazon basin .

We flew onto Lima and spent a couple of days there. Landing right in peak hour and the traffic was bedlam, it took over an hour to get to our hotel in Miraflores which was much quieter and had a lovely park named after J.F. Kennedy. The church below was beside the park with a square of restaurants adjoining. The park was full of dumped cats with signs asking people to adopt them. Lima is very clean with lots of street sweepers endlessly cleaning. Police were very visible which initially made me a little concerned, but they include "tourist police" who are there to help and watch over visitors. In fact we felt very safe where we were and the people very friendly, although tourists do get constantly approached to buy all sorts of things. I developed the impression that Peru is really trying to build its tourist business and is employing lots of people to make it a safe and clean destination.

Church of Virgin Milagrosa, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
8 x 5.5 inches (20 x 14 cms)

Watercolour, pen and pencil on Stillman and Birn beta paper

 

The "old" centre of Lima with its yellow buildings and ornate balconies

El Beso, The Love Park, Miraflores, Lima

 

The Love Park is located on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  The walls are clad with mosaic tiles embedded with romantic quotes and this monumental statue of two lovers engaged in a passionate kiss. The sculpture celebrates the lovers who gather to watch the sunset, and evidently compete for the longest kiss under the statue.

 

Next it is off to the highlands of Peru and the discovery of pisco sours.

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Congwong Beach, near La Perouse in Sydney

Congwong Beach, near La Perouse in  Sydney  

Congwong Beach, Sydney
Watercolour and gouache on watercolour paper
40 x 15 cm

 

Painted this one a few weeks ago before the weeks of rain set in. Another new discovery in Sydney. Been to La Perouse many times but never noticed this beautiful sheltered beach before, which is located south of Sydney on the northern entrance to Botany Bay.

 

My weekly sketching trips are revealing so many new places that I have never been to before in Sydney. I have become a tourist in my own town. 

I also find that having sketched a place, the image cements itself in ones head. Sketching is much better at engraining a view in ones head than taking photos.

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Central Australia - East MacDonnell Ranges Part 2 : Trephina Gorge

One of the highlights of our trip to the MacDonnell Ranges was the day spent painting and sketching at Trephina Gorge, about 85 kms east of Alice Springs. The landscape consists of sheer red rock quartzite cliffs with a shallow sandy creek running through, fringed by river gums.


Trephina Gorge
Acrylic on Paper

 on 300gsm watercolour paper

I unintentionally, but consistently painted a face in nearly all the rock faces that I drew or painted.



Trephina Gorge 2
Acrylic on Paper

16 x 6 inches (40 x 15 cms) on 300gsm watercolour paper

 

It was quite a hot day and the acrylic paint needed to be consistently sprayed to keep it workable. I

used a "stay wet palette" & did enjoy using acrylic on this trip. I was able to get a less finished look than I normally get with my usual oils, The rougher paper texture helped, as well as the need to paint quickly before the painting dried.

I can be contacted at the following link  click here to contact me 

Central Australia - East MacDonnell Ranges

Just back from a trip to the Red Centre of Australia. The first week was spent with a group of painters, photographers, etc. about 80kms east of Alice Springs around Ross River. We stayed in cabins in sub zero nights. It was the first time that I have experienced frozen pipes since I was a boy in Scotland. 

We had our meals from a mobile camp kitchen around a very welcome campfire, with a trip by 4WD bus to a different area each day.  It was a great experience being in the midst of the the unique palette of the outback. 



The Road to Ross River, East MacDonnell Ranges,

Acrylic and Watercolour

16 x 6 inches (40 x 15 cms) on 300gsm watercolour paper

 

Acrylic & watercolour paint were more convenient to use on this trip, & the paintings were painted plein air (on site).

 

One of the highlights was the brightness & density of the stars, particularly the Southern Cross and the Milky Way. Everyone tells you how amazing the skies are at night in the outback, but you can't appreciate the extent until you see it. Whilst the Southern Cross is visible in Sydney, the milky way can't be seen by eye.

The Great Walls of China, East MacDonnell Ranges,

Acrylic and Watercolour

16 x 6 inches (40 x 15 cms) on 300gsm watercolour paper

 

More to come in part 2.

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Sketches from Clarke Point, Woolwich, Sydney

Back rummaging  around Sydney. Whilst it is the midst of summer it has been very wet and cool here (wettest and coolest since the 1950s).One of the joys of sketching is that it makes you get out, and I am discovering all these places that I have never been to before. I have become a tourist in my own city. Today went to Clarke Point at Woolwich which has expansive views of the harbour, and a killer one of the bridge in the distance. 

The area also has a great pub nearby for lunch, ( Woolwich Pier Hotel) which has great views from the upper balcony.

Sydney Harbour Bridge from Clarke Point
Watercolour, Gouache, Ink on watercolour Paper
12 x 23 cm  ( 9 x 4.5 inches)

I think that the view above will make a good subject for a large oil.

Cockatoo Island from Woolwich
Watercolour, Gouache, Ink on watercolour Paper
13 x 20 cm ( 8 x 5 inches)

A few years ago sketched of Cockatoo Island from Elkington Park on the southern side of the harbour - click to see it here

There are a couple of new small oil paintings on my other blog "Painting Light"

Lavender Bay on New Years Day

Mount Ventoux, Provence France

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Painting Light - A New Blog featuring my Small Oils

Hope you all had a great Christmas and wishing you a very happy & prosperous New Year.

I have started a new blog "Painting Light" which will feature my new small oil paintings, released as they are completed.  Two paintings that will appear on this new blog over the next week appear below. Both are oil paintings and priced at $99.

Three Cherries on a Shelf

Vines near Mount Ventoux, Provence, France

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This blog "A painted Journey" will continue to feature drawings and travel sketches.

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Sydney to Great Ocean Road - Part 3 from Apollo Bay

Cape Otway - looking east from the lighthouse.

Koalas - Cape Otway

I have lived in Australia for over 40 years and whilst I am mainly a city boy I have  never seen a Koala in the wild - until now. Every tree driving back from the Cape Otway Lighthouse had a Koala in it, and some with a joey (baby)  like this one. Quite amazing.

Gibsons Steps
Oil on Canvas 6.5 x 5 inches ( 12 x 7 cm)

For Sale $110 plus $18 shipping / insurance

A kilometre or so before the 12 Apostles rock formation, where one is not allowed on the beach. Climbed down some very steep steps to get to the beach. It was so very peaceful painting on the beach with only the sond of the surf. 
UNTIL!!!! 
   a flotilla of buses disgorged a hundred or so tourists and they all clambered down and made so much noise. After about 10 minutes they all disappeared back up and it was peaceful again I guess they had their 10 mintes and were off for 10 minutes somewhere along the road.

12 Apostles, Port Campbell, Great Ocean Road
Watercolour, Goauche, pen and pencil on paper

For Sale $95 plus $15 shipping / insurance

Loch Ard Gorge

Named after the ship that floundered here in 1878 after a 3 month voyage from England to Melbourne/ Only two of the 53 passengers survived, having been washed ashore here.

London Arch , Great Ocean Road, Victoria

The inner arch collaped in 1990 and two tourists were stranded on the outer part of what was then known as "London Bridge"  Fortunately there were no injuries and the tourists were rescued by helicopter.

If you are interested in a painting click here to contact me 

Sydney to Great Ocean Road - Part 2 On the Road

Brunswick Street, Fitroy, Melbourne
Goauche on Black Paper

Leaving Melbourne we stayed overnight at Torquay and next morning headed out through Barwon Heads.

Barwon Heads, Victoria
Watercolour, Ink and Goauche (7.75 x 5 inches or  20 x 13 cm)

This painting is available for sale  $95 plus $15 postage.




Barwon Heads is well known in Australia as it was the main filming site for the popular TV series Sea Change, and more recently where Cadel Evans (the 2011 Tour de France winner) has a home.

A Lorne morning from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel

Spent the second night at the Grand Pacific Hotel. 140 years old & it is a gem from the past with great atmosphere, super upper viewing balconies and big rooms with high ceilings. It just oozes character from a bygone age.

Apollo Bay
Watercolour, Goauche, pen Pencil on watercolour paper
5.83 × 8.27 inches or 14.8  x 21 cm

As we were leaving Apollo Bay I saw this house on the edge of the bay. It reminded me of the style of the american painter Edward Hopper. Couldn't resist the cypress tree. Dont see many in Sydney but seem common around Melbourne, and in the paintings of Rick Amor.

This painting is available for sale  $95 plus $15 postage

Apollo Bay from the hinterland

Next  - Otway and 12 Apostles

If you are interested in purchasing paintings from this blog click here to contact me          

Into the Light , Luna Park, Sydney Harbour

Oil on Board 7 x 5 inches (17cm x12 cm)

A small painting near Luna Park at Lavender Bay in Sydney Harbour

If you are interested in purchasing this painting click here to contact me 


         

Daily Paintworks Challenge - Red Onion

Daily Paintworks has been around for a while, featuring a group of  highly regarded representational painters who do a painting a day.

Recently they have started  "Challenges" in which they anounce a subject and invite artists to take the challenge by painting their version of the subject. One of the recent "Challenges" raised over $28k to  assist various charities with their Japan relief effort.

I took this weeks challenge to "Paint a Vegetable" and contributed a Red Onion. 

Red Onion
4 x 5 inches on Canvas

The painting  is available at Daily Paintworks for $95 plus $15 freight

San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice & Daily Paintworks

           

Size 12 inches x 10 inches (30.5 x 25.4 cm)
Oil on canvas.  

I've joined the daily painting artist group "Daily Paintworks" which offers original fine art daily paintings from a goup of talented artists  I will be posting this painting of Venice to the gallery of paintings that I have available from that site.

Click here to go my gallery at Daily Paintworks


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Art on the Boardwalk, Lavender Bay, Sydney

Last Sunday I participated in Art on the Boardwalk for the first time. Despite the forecast it turned out to be a fine Sydney day. For those not familiar with Sydney, Lavender Bay is on the north shore, just west of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It overlooks the Sydney skyline and it is a fabulous location for "plein air" painting particularly on a day like this with plenty of sunshine. It is amazing to realise that this location is only minutes (or 1 train stop) from the CBD.

About 30 artists participated with musicians and mime artists, and whilst the day was about painting on location it was nice chatting to the many people passing by. Mosman Daily newspaper  reported that there was 10,000 people who walked the boardwalk on the day. It kept us fairly busy chatting and answering questions about painting, etc. The interest people had in the paintings was very heartening, also  many people talked about wanting to learn how to paint. In short it was a great fun day and very well organised by the North Sydney council.

 I did not get my demo painting finished on the day. Too much chatting , but here is the finished painting below.

Opera House, Luna Park and Harbour Bridge from Lavender Bay
Oil on Board 10 x 12 inches (25cm x 30cm)

Working hard.

Chatting to people about painting 

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Royal Botanic Gardens Paginated Garden Exhibition & Sydney Opera House

Three of my paintings were selected for the Paginated Gardens exhibition & shortlisted for the Derivan prize. My Lotus Pond painting was awarded "Highly Commended".  The prize was won by Heidi Hereth

The exhibition proved very popular with 700 people attending over the weekend, & by popular demand the Royal Botanic Gardens are to re-hang the exhibition at the end of July for 2 weeks.

This week the Chronicle will run a story headed "Fred Marsh listed in Sydney Royal Botanic Garden Paginated Garden Exhibition"

The article starts "If a picture is worth a thousand words then artist Fred Marsh had plenty to say at the Sydney Royal Botanic Garden. Mr Marsh, was an artist at the garden’s Paginated Garden exhibition from April 29 to May 1 with three works short-listed for the special event.
The Paginated Garden invited artists to visit the botanic garden and sketch what they saw over a six-week period." The full article is at this link

After the sketchabout finished I did a sketch of the opera house from the gardens. I have listed it to raise funds for the Red Cross Japanese Earthquake Appeal at Daily Paintworks, which has a neat new auction site developed to sell paintings. The painting appears below & the auction is at this link

I can be contacted by clicking here , or via my website