Brecons Beacons, pastel by Jenny Keal
I will be demonstrating pastel painting techniques at
on Saturday 10th September 2011 between 1.00 p.m. & 4.00 p.m.
Above is the painting I did as a demonstration at the station in July.
Come along and enjoy the best coffee and cakes in Powys.
Light and Atmosphere on the Black Mountains
Yesterday David and I went for a walk on the hills above our home and it occurred to me that this view of the Black Mountains illustrates perfectly aerial perspective, or recession.
Notice how the distant mountains are blue, the middle distance hill is blue/green, the bright green fields are cool green with touches of blue/green shadow and the foreground bracken is warm yellow/green.
In reality all these greens are similar in colour temperature but the atmosphere between gives this effect and it is the key to creating the illusion of a three dimensional space on a two dimensional painting surface.
This autumn David and I are demonstrating this and many other aspects of painting the landscape in two Seminars. David will be demonstrating in watercolour in Great Bookham, Surrey. Details are on the website. Also you can see detail of our painting courses for 2012 in Yorkshire, Mid Wales, Somerset and Pembrokeshire. You can also download a copy of our annual newsletter and order form.
We are also taking part in a joint exhibition at Aberglasney Gardens this month. Entry to the preview and the gardens is free from 6.30 to 9.00 p.m. on 9th September.
Scwy Isaf Clyn Gwyn, Pastel by Jenny Keal
If you have tried painting water in watercolour you will know how difficult it is to work negatively around the white paper to create the highlights or how tricky it is to lay the wet in wet reflections at just the right time.
Painting water in pastel is much simpler because you can lay the light over the dark. This means you can create far more intricate and subtle effects in the falling water and reflections can be created by softening the pastel in a vertical direction with your fingers.
This painting is of Scwd Isaf Clyn Gwyn, just south of the Brecon Beacons in ‘waterfall country’ around Ystradfelte. It is a spectular series of falls in a Tolkeinesque gorge. The painting was built up in stages, keeping the background fall soft and misty to convey a sense of distance. The warmer colours, stronger tones and sharper detail in the foreground emphasise this effect.
You can see this painting, along with many others at The Wyeside Art Centre in Builth Wells. as David and I have an exhibition on there for the rest of the summer. Contact them for opening times
Please use the comments box if you have any specific questions about how the painting was created.