Grey skies and still life painting

The grey skies and dark Winter days have arrived and my walks are now few and far between .
I'm hoping for some good frosty mornings or maybe even snow but at the moment it just seems to rain .
So, I have decided to bide my time with a few still life paintings. It's been a long time since my last one and I have sooooo missed creating them!
Once I have an idea in my head it all turns into a fun quest to source the objects that I wish to put together to create the composition. Then there's the challenge of photographing them in different positions and light to discover the effect that I like the best.
Light, shadows, colour, reflections etc.
On a recent Autumn walk I collected a few  twigs ,berries and nuts and decided to put them together with a Ploughmans lunch. This of course required finishing off with a bottle of good ale.
Now , not being one to waste things I thought it only right that I should consume the food and drink the ale whilst still fresh....of course it was all in the name of art you know.
 
                                                 "The Ploughmans"
                                       Acrylic on canvas

"The Ploughmans" Autumn still life painting on canvas

    If you wish to see more views of this painting then please visit my gallery  HERE

Firle Hill Climb revival and painting "September Downs"

Bo Peep and Firle Hill Climb

September saw us jaunting off to watch the Firle Hill Climb. It's an event that used to take place between 1949 and1967 when it was ended due to an unfortunate accident. This is the second year of it's revival but now days the cars drive up the steep slopes of Bo Peep for fun rather than racing against each other.  It's a really good day out and great to be able to see a good selection of old and classic cars actually being driven.(The event is held to raise money for Chailey Heritage school.)

Firle Hill climb 2016

You can see more photos from the hill climb here https://www.facebook.com/paula.oakley1/media_set?set=a.10210109239225370.1073742124.1169430909&type=3
The weather was a bit cloudy at first but as the sun started to break through  the lure of the South Downs got the better of me and I wandered off to explore the route towards Alfriston .

The South Downs way, Bo Peep to Alfriston

It was a good walk and the views towards Cuckmere Haven were wonderful but impossible to photograph due to the direction of the sun .
 Looking north over the Sussex Weald saw a patchwork of freshly harvested fields .
 A short diversion off the South Downs Way took me down a chalk track where the view  just had to be painted! As the Summer draws to a close and Autumn enters in then so the colors of the landscapes change. Much more subdued with longer shadows cast by the early Autumn sun....

                                                 "September Downs"
                                     Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"September Downs" acrylic on canvas

                              "Along the South Downs Way"
                                

Painting the South Downs Way

                                       One of the familiar sign posts along the South Downs Way where the wonderful views over the Sussex Weald fade off into the horizon.
Late Summer flowers put on their final display of colour among the wild and windswept grass. (The view between Firle Beacon and Alfriston)

"Autumn in the air" and " The edge of Autumn" Paintings from an Autumn walk in Sussex

An Autumn walk in Newick, East Sussex

Although the Autumn hasn't been as colourful this year I have still found some lovely picturesque walks to explore.
After living in the village of Newick for 4 years I am still discovering new paths, scenery and inspirations!
Recently I followed a route that took me from the south outskirts of the village, around the boundary of Newick Park and on to the village of Spithurst.
With clear blue skies and glorious sunshine you could really sense the arrival of Autumn.
The walk took me past a lake, pond, woodland and fields.....just about everything I could wish for !

Walking from Newick to Spithurst, East Sussex

After a while my path lead me onto a farm track where the still waters of a small pond caught my attention....this was definitely to be my next painting.....

                                                  "Autumn in the air"
                                    Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24"

"Autumn in the air" Autumn painting from the Sussex countryside

                              
                                                    "The edge of Autumn" 
                                        Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"The edge of Autumn" Acrylic painting on canvas

               More Sussex paintings http://paula-paintmyworld.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-sussex-coast-on-canvas.html#.VGy0_slOzIU