Frosty morning painting

Goodness! It's been soooo long since I've been here!
Christmas arrived and brought with it a rather unpleasant flu virus . No painting. No walking .
It's been a frustrating time but now at last I'm happily back on track.
The year has got off to a good start with 4 painting sales and the Winter weather is finally arriving....HURRAY!
I awoke last week to be greeted by a wonderful frosty morning and couldn't wait to get out !
The sun was just rising and created a glorious glow upon the scenery around me .

A frosty morning around Newick and Chailey

The colours are so different at this time of the year and painting with them was a new challenge for me. It took a lot of work but I'm happy with the result .

                                            " One Frosty Morning" 
                                  Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

"One Frosty Morning" A painting from my early morning Winter walk

 

"Winter Reflections "

Well it's been a bit of a slow start to the year. I unfortunately sprained my ankle which meant I havn't been able to get out much . It's been so very frustrating!
Stubborn determination couldn't keep me in for long though and my recent walks have been close to home ( just to be on the safe side).
I'm lucky to live in a village where there are plenty of rural paths to follow and in  the recent frosty weather they were a delight to walk.
My path took me around the south side of Newick through woods, over fields and by the frozen waters of Winter.....perfect....just right for a painting!
                                            "Winter Reflections"
                                  Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"Winter Reflection" Acrylic painting

 "A cold Winter's day in the Sussex countryside when the sunlight barely manages to break through the trees upon the icy waters of the lake .
The muted colours mingle with the mist and soft rays of sunshine as the wild geese fly in almost unnoticed . "
 https://www.artfinder.com/product/winter-reflections-ba03/

                                      

"By the water's edge" Painting the wildflowers along the river bank

It just wouldn't be Summer without a leisurely walk along the river.
There are some lovely footpaths on the outskirts of my village that allow me to indulge in some lazy daydreams and riverside delights.
A vast array of wildflowers where dragon flies dart and swoop among the spikes of  Purple-loosestrife and the fluffy scented clouds of Meadowsweet.
Summer at it's best!
I wanted to capture the wildness and colours. The dragonflies are highlighted with metallic blue so that they catch the light, just as they do by the river.

                                               "By the water's edge"
                                        Acrylic on canvas

"By the water's edge" Painting the wildflowers along the river bank

 Close up and wall views....

 Prints, cushions etc available at http://www.redbubble.com/people/poak/works/22704987-by-the-waters-edge?asc=u&p=chiffon-top&rel=carousel

 

"Winter Walk" Painting inspired by the early morning frost

Early morning frosty views on the outskirts of Newick, Sussex

Christmas was wonderful but after several days in the house I was glad to get out and about again. We've had a few frosty mornings lately so I decided to venture out for a walk to catch the sun rise and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside on the outskirts of my village.
The low Winter sun and widespread frost revealed a new range of colours to use for a painting.
I love how the landscape changes so much with the seasons and weather and each walk becomes a new inspiration on an old path...
I have chosen to paint a view of the track I followed on the edge of Newick Park Estate. The sun had just started to rise, lighting up my path ahead like a giant candle glowing fiercely  through the trees.

Work in progress... "Winter Walk" Acrylic on box canvas, 18"x 24" x 1.5"

Work in progress..."Winter Walk"

I started by giving the canvas a wash of pink and yellow for the background then painted in the trees in the middle. Once dry 2-3 thin washes of white and yellow were painted over them to knock them back into the distance. Next I repeated this procedure for the tree at the back left.
 Bit by bit I am working towards the foreground adding in the shadows and sunlight as I go.

Working on the foreground 

 This morning I have started to make good progress on the foreground . This area is mostly made up of frost and ice, it's also in the shade so there will be a lot of blue tones to paint in.
The track is created by merging  many small dots of colour, once this is dry I will be able to add the highlights and shading.
Well another day's painting means I have now completed the painting....I hope you like it !
                                    "Winter Walk"
                               Acrylic on box canvas 18"x 24"x 1.5"  

"Winter Walk" Acrylic painting on box canvas

                

Painting inspired from a Winter walk on the outskirts of my village of Newick in Sussex

"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

"Lakeside Autumn" Painting the Autumn colours in Sussex

Autumn arriving in Sussex

I have sadly said my farewell to the Summer and I'm now ready to embrace the Autumn in all it's wonderful glory!
Not only does the countryside become ablaze with colour but this is also the season that Sussex comes alive with celebrations of bonfires and fireworks.
 Newick never fails to put on a good show .

Newick bonfire night

 I'm looking forward to bonfire....bangers ...and of course.....beer! ;)
In the meantime I have planned several walks that will take me through some beautiful woodland that I'm sure will be inspirational! All I need now is a little bit of sunshine as my Autumn companion.
I thought I would start my journey with something small and vibrant, a beautiful scene of still waters and reflections from the village of Slaugham ...
                                                  "Lakeside Autumn"
                                Acrylic on box canvas 18"x 14"x 1.5"

Painting the Autumn reflections at the mill pond in Slaugham, Sussex

My next painting was inspired from a walk I recenty took along the bridle path in South Chailey.  The trees are just changing into their Autumn colours and the sun shone through to lighten my way.
A beautiful and serene scene.

                                               "Gateway to Autumn" 
                                        SOLD

"Gateway to Autumn" Painting the Autumn paths of Chailey, Sussex

 
                                                  

"The Royal Oak", painting the pubs of Newick village

I live in the village of Newick, East Sussex. A pretty little village that has changed very little over the years.
There are 3 pubs here, The Royal Oak, The Bull Inn and The Crown, each very different in style and all very popular. ( The 4th pub, The Bricklayers Arms has been demolished in my absence )
The Bull Inn is situated in the middle of the village green. Built in 1510 it is said to have been used as a resting place for the pilgrims .
I painted it a couple of years ago, the brickwork was a nightmare and it took quite some time to  complete....          
 My memories...dipping hessian wrapped torches in paraffin around the back of the building, in preparation for bonfire night.
                                                      "Inn on the Green"

The Bull Inn, Newick,Sussex

Just up the road is The Royal Oak . A 16th century building that was once a manor house. This will be my new subject to paint. It's changed very little since this old postcard from 1911.

My memories...my induction into the world of beers, wines and spirits! 15 years of age with a half pint glass full of cider and the best ever ploughman's lunch. Large lumps of cheese, butter and pickle with a wedge of  bread torn from a freshly baked cob loaf from the local bakery ....mmmmm :)

 

It's quite an awkward building to paint. Sittting on the edge of a narrow road opposite some cottages means it's not possible to get a full frontal view.

Today I managed to get it all sketched out and I've painted in the trees of the background.

Day 2....just a couple of hours painting today but I have started work on the weather boards and added some basic under painting....progress has begun! 

Day 3...Painted most of the roof and chimneys today. I've also started on the fiddly little bits, it's very tiring on the eyes but I enjoy putting in the details.It's starting to look more colourful now .

Day 4... added lots of bits and pieces  today and started work on the right hand side of the building. The weather's pretty grim, raining again, so not a very good photo ...

Day 5... finally I've painted in the last details and the shading. All  I need to do now is go and test out their beer :)

"The Royal Oak" (Newick, East Sussex)

Acrylic on stretched canvas 23"x 16"x .5"

The Royal Oak, Newick, Sussex

BUY 

http://www.royaloakpubandrestaurant.co.uk/

More paintings of Sussex http://paula-paintmyworld.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-sussex-coast-on-canvas.html#.U7l_HrGFDIU