This morning an ink and it is of the downwards slope of the mountaious center of Mull towards the western coast and Iona, not far from Bunessan. Super sunshine, shirt sleves, sun hat; just like the tropics.

Met an interesting retired couple, she was fine, he was on a project, talking non stop about this lens and that lens for his cameras. The way he spoke it would seem that he had a team to carry his masses of photographic stuff; being particularly proud of his 600 ml lens. Still it takes all types to make this world go round and he was harmless, if rather sad; couldn't wait to get away as Iona was only a few miles away. 

But before that lovely isle was the local postoffice, and the owner.  She has lived there for years, wanting to retire now. Nice lady, great coffee, warm welcome.

You meet all types when out painting, put them all down to life's broard experience and enjoy them.

 

Back to Scotland today and an ever so small fishing community called Scourie. about twenty miles south of Cape Wrath.  It is essential for several reasons; firstly it is a place which I visited many years ago and just wanted to return, my first visit was on a cold widy day and there was nothing there as regards food or anything like that, but it was beautiful. On my second visit the weather was almost tropical and gentle, polite tourisum had finally reached this example of the Garden of Eden.

 A friendly store/bar/cafe was open with good parking offering a fine view of the hamlet and jetty area. Most important for my wife; there was a clean well maintained loo; a rare thing in these parts, as such a vital stopping place when going north or south.

The bar/store/cafe owner loved the fact that I was painting. Doing the main painting while seated on the beach near the jetty and then tided it up over a coffee indoors in the cafe. Lovely memories and they all came alive in my memories with a sketch. try it.

In an art group whick I lead last week  a member came along with a sketch of a veg display in a market, from a purists point of view, maybe not very clever; but it worked and felt like a market; I loved it. So you don't have to be clever to sketch.

Several of you have been asking about my next exhibition. Kindly Guildford arts have invited me to exibit with them from November the 14th. in the Guildford Institute. Above is an invitation for you all, with all the details.

                And a very big thank you for all the ongoing support which you give me.

 

Good morning, today we are looking at a 10x7 inch black and white sketch of a very small hamlet, not far from the tip of Mull as the approach to Iona is made; it is call Bunessan.  The sketch took less than ten minuets to draw and is one of my favorites from the recent trip up north. The sketch works mainly because of the sinplicity of drawftmanship with no attempt at a polished finnishing effect, its about how I felt about myself and the small hamlet, whilst being in a happy, chirpy, holiday mood. As usual composition with consideration of various vanishing points and leading in lines are included without any real consideration. However notice the artistic addition of a small rowing boat, lightly drawn centre left, not a dominant feature, but bringing interest into that area of the work; it balances the work. The work was produced seated on a rock, chilling out, on a beautiful day. It was a relaxed coming together of all the above and it works.

Today other things are happening; my next exhibition is now completed and awaiting the selection process,  which is down from 22 to 12 images. This collection is about small fishing ports, boats, fun, brightness and what other people like and enjoy; so two friends are meeting up with us after church. All the paintings will be spread out on ther floor and then all four of us will choose one picture at a time in rotation until the twelth is reached; talk about democratic. I am choosing the exhibition content this way because although there are obviously my favorites, I want to know about others peoples favorites as well. Lets see what happens!