isle of Mull
Ever since a client once said to me “you’ve got to go!”, a study trip to the Isle of Mull has been on my list.
Moments and catching the light
I think I’ve found heaven ! As an artist, you think “there’s a painting! there’s another painting!”
Sunset over Ulva
EN PLEIN AIR
(painting in the open air on location)
A slideshow of photos from the trip locations: Fidden Beach, Fionnphort, Isle of Mull, and looking across to Ulva. It was very windy at times, so I had to work quickly and not overthink or even over-interpret what I was seeing.
SKETCHES
My workstation at the cottage getting the initial sketch and colour work down while it’s still fresh. I find working with a minimal palette at this stage really focuses me.
The colours on the land change depending on what the sky does !! Incredible colours !
I've been painting the west coast of Scotland for over two decades and I can honestly say that so much has been learnt on this study trip to the Isle of Mull.
That's what I love about creating art, every experience and location will throw up something new and awe-inspiring and energise me even more about what I do for a living.
Final views of the Isle of Mull
What a beautiful day to finish my whirlwind study trip on. The weather is going to take a bit of a turn, so my trip will be slightly shorter than planned — but I've captured so much. I can't wait to get back to my Studio in West Sussex and get started.
Thank you all for your kind messages and comments throughout this past week.
BACKGROUND
Finally it’s happening, February 2023 — and I’m taking my trusty sidekick, my mother Val. In case you missed my “love letter” to my brilliant mum, catch up here on Instagram Looking at the temperatures right now, she will absolutely need her duvet coat!
The finished pieces will be on my website and at the Castle Gallery in Inverness (Summer Solo Show) in the coming months.
I’ll be updating my social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) throughout the trip, so don’t forget to follow and do share your comments !
What does a study trip entail?
In short, it’s purpose is to create a new body of work but it’s also an opportunity to hone my skills as an artist; try out new techniques — but mostly to obsess over seaspray and clouds!
Weather moves very, very quickly in this part of Scotland — but I’m expecting to be sat for hours to allow a scene to unfold.
WHAT IS MY PROCESS FOR A STUDY TRIP?
I always paint en plein air, which means out in the open on location. I’ll have my trusty Daler Rowney sketchbooks and Winsor and Newton watercolours to capture the “colour studies”. I’ll take lots of photos too as reference, although even the best smartphones cannot capture exactly what I’m seeing at that very moment.
Where will I visit?
Time and weather permitting, I’ll be taking trips to Ulva, Oban and Tobermory — any tips welcomed!