Summer painting and The South Downs

 Summer has now sadly drawn to a close. It's been a strange one this year with so much uncertainty with the Covid virus still around. 

I wasn't able to get out very often so I had to make sure that I made the most of my walks and choose the places that I thought would be best for painting and give me a variety of views. This I decided would be The South Downs.

In the height of Summer I headed off  to Beddingham and Firle. It was a hot sunny day. The paths were filled with wild flowers and butterflies and the fields full of golden crops and sheep grazing at their leisure. Perfect!

I knew it would be busy on the South Downs Way  at Firle beacon so I walked up Beddingham Hill and set off  south towards Newhaven . I was greeted with stunning views towards the sea . From there I headed back north to Firle beacon .  I really couldn't have made a better choice for a walk !

Beddingham to Firle walk

It was an inspiring day and I returned home with plenty of wonderful views to paint ...

                                          "Downland to the Sea"

                                        "Golden to the Sea"

                                          "Summer Heights"

I am very happy to say that they have all found new homes.

                                                               ****************

My second main walk took to to Ditchling beacon and along to the windmills at Clayton  . The Summer was gradually fading away and the colours were more muted. I love this time of year as the Hawthorn bushes are ablaze with red berries like beacons on the slopes . 

Ditchling beacon to Clayton 

Once again it was a wonderful walk with stunning views over The South Downs and the Sussex Weald . I'm still happily painting and holding on to the memories of Summer for as long as I can ! 

                                                       

Autumn paintings

Autumn seems to have arrived late this year, rather like me keeping up with this Blog ! Ha ha!
I don't think anyone really reads it but it's good for me to be able to look back at my artistic journey. To see what does or doesn't work .
I'm still out walking and posting pictures from my walks on my Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/groups/138021407053592/
I'm also still busy painting and posting my works in progress on my art page here Paula Oakley Art

My Autumn quest started several weeks ago, I was looking for something a little different, a bit more challenging. My travels took me to Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs just as the sun was starting to fade away. The soft evening light was just wonderful , creating a blend of peach and purple hues.
These were new colours for me to explore . I liked the idea of focusing on the South Downs Way sign post as it gave a good sense of direction to my painting

                                     "The Twilight Way" 
                    (Acrylic on canvas 24"x18")

Painting of Ditchling Beacon at sunset

 Then I waited for the trees to change colour...and waited....and waited ...but nothing seemed to happen for ages ! Very slowly the yellows and oranges crept in and very quickly the rain came ! The weather was against me and my walks became few and far between. 
At this time of year I don't venture far from home as the light fades away so quickly and the low sun can make the woods seem very dark and rather eerie ! 
Luckily I am surrounded by beautiful countryside that constantly changes and a delight to see.
I headed to North Chailey and found just what I was looking for to paint .
                                        "Autumn Path" 

Painting the Autumn colours from my walk to North Chailey

  The break in the weather was short lived and once again I was housebound by the rain. I did try a couple of walks but the ground was so very wet and many of my paths were totally flooded . 
Again I waited...and waited until the sun eventually broke through. Once again I headed towards Chailey  where I have several favourite walks.
 There is a gate along one of the paths and whenever I reach it a Pheasant suddenly flies up into the air screeching . It always makes me jump !  Here  the rain had made large puddles that beautifully reflected the trees above. A perfect scene to paint ! 

                                                   "After the Autumn Rain" 

"After the Autumn rain" Acrylic painting on canvas

 

 

Ditchling beacon paintings

Ditchling beacon, Sussex

Oh my! March has been such a busy month! I've been decorating the house and Spring cleaning so you can imagine how delighted I was to see the sun shine and escape to the South Downs for the day.
I reached Blackcap at about 8am, such a wonderful time of day to be up there...just me, the Sky Larks  and the wonderful views ...bliss!  The track west over plumpton Plain looked like it went on forever!

Blackcap and Plumpton Plain

As I approached Ditchling Beacon my solitude came to an end as the dog walkers came into sight. I now had to share the rest of my walk . The car parks at the beacon and Clayton windmills mean it's easy walking for those that don't want to wander far and threrfore this area is very popular .
Heading west I stopped at the dew pond for my lunch. A lovely spot where the windswept Hawthorns stand defiant by the still water of the pond. The reflection of the blue sky made it all look quite surreal!

The dew pond along the South Downs Way and the Jack and Jill windmills at Clayton

I veered off from The South Downs way and headed off towards Clayton passing the windmills "Jack" and "Jill" and to catch the bus home.
It was a lovely day and gave me 3 new views to paint.....happy me!

                                        "Sussex Stile"  (Sold) 
                            Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18"  

Painting of the stile at Ditchling Beacon

                                             "Downland Dew Pond
                                   Acrylic on box canvas 24" x 12"

"Downland Dew Pond" Acrylic painting 24" x 12"

                                   "Windswept and Water"
                                                            Acrylic on canvas 12" x10" 

Acrylic painting of the Hawthorn and dew pond at Ditchling

 

Painting the view from "Ditchling Beacon "

Ditchling Beacon, Sussex

I have been busy decorating the kitchen and Spring cleaning the house. I am on a mission to make everything shiny again after the bleak Winter months. It's lovely to get the house looking nice again but I was at a point where I needed a break from it, so last weekend we decided to make the most of the sunshine and headed off to Ditchling Beacon .
It was extremely windy but such a clear day that you could see for miles across the Sussex Weald.
At 248 meters above sea level it's the highest point in East Sussex and perfect views for a landscape painting!
My first day's painting concentrated on the background and marking in the main features...

 

Starting to paint Ditchling Beacon 

Today's session was to start work on the slopes of the South Downs and the fields. The trees and bushes have taken quite a while to paint in but it's now starting to come together.

Painting in the fields and slopes of the South Downs

I am now on the third day of painting and progress is now much slower while adding the detail to the gate and fencing

Making a start on the fencing

Just a few hours painting today, I don't do a lot on the weekends but I did make a start on the shadows. The Spring sunshine through the gate causes the shadows to curve and creep over the chalk track emulating the hills behind. It was this that was my initial inspiration to paint this view ...

Adding the shadows

Well the weekend came and went far too quickly! I have spent most of the day painting and have now finished. I hope you like it :)

                                      "Ditchling Beacon"
                      Acrylic on box canvas 24" x 18"x 1.5" 

Painting of the view from Ditchling Beacon, Sussex.

                                For sale