Categories
watercolor Watercolour

A street scene

I have been challenging myself to paint better street scenes. This watercolour is of Piampol, Brittany, France – my wife’s hometown. I did this in the studio but I wouldn’t mind being in France for June. That won’t happen of course because of the pandemic. I’ll just have to use my many photo references that I have amassed through the years. Have a nice, and safe weekend.

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Piampol
Categories
Watercolour

Pontrieux, you were difficult

Like I said in the last post, this watercolour didn’t come easy. After coming home from France I had the half finished painting on my studio wall for weeks until one day I finally thought I’d have a go at completing it. It wasn’t obvious to me if I would succeed or not but I am so happy I didn’t give up and I made it work.
Have a nice weekend!

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A watercolour from Pontrieux
A watercolour from Pontrieux, France
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Categories
Video Watercolour

Outdoor Painting Ep16 – This one was difficult

This episode was filmed in Pontrieux, France. I have to admit that this watercolour was a bit of a fight. When I had reached half way I really didn’t know if I would succeed or not. I’m glad I didn’t give up though because I am delighted with the end result.

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Categories
Watercolour

Nice memories of Plubazlanec in Brittany

I painted this watercolour of the beach that is front of my mother-in-law’s house in Ploubazlanec. I found a nice photo on my phone from my holidays in France earlier in the year and it inspired me to paint the scene.
I only have happy memories from my visits there.

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meldrumart- ploubazlanec brittany
meldrumart-ploubazlanec brittany

Categories
Sketch Watercolour

A simple sketch

I realise it is just important to paint or sketch every day. The other day was difficult because of my poor health but just doing a quick sketch makes such a difference to one’s day. Just a simple watercolour can lift the the greyest of days. I feel a lot better now which is great 🙂

Sketched on Saunders Waterford fine grain, 300g 28 x 19 cm

 

Categories
Sketch Watercolour

Sketching in Brittany

It is beautiful here in Brittany. I am staying at my mother in law’s house in Ploubazlanec which is not far from a Paimpol where I painted this plein air sketch. I come here every year and love it every time. The weather can be unstable but I am used to that growing up in Ireland. It is actually hard to create a successful watercolour when there is a blue sky, this is something I have learned over the years.

meldrumart
meldrumart

meldrumart
meldrumart

 

Categories
David Meldrum Sketch Watercolour

Capturing the light

I think capturing the light is the hardest skill to achieve in painting. I have been studying composition and tonal values during the last year, it is through the careful balance of tones that one achieves light. It’s really hard to master but I’m having fun trying. This watercolour was painted plein air a few days ago.

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Paimpol street
Paimpol street

 

 

Categories
David Meldrum watercolor Watercolour

Paimpol harbour area

This was my last day in France, the next day I would be making the long journey home to Sweden, a 13 hour trip by rail and air. The day was hot and the sky was a clear blue. I have dicovered through experience that blue skies are generally very boring when it comes to watercolour. It’s much more interesting having rain clouds on the horizon. So I was a little nervous with the painting, I knew it had great potential – I just had to find the right balance. I am happy enough with the result, I would like it to be more loose in style and will probably have another attempt at it here in the studio in the coming months. I will add some human figures to the composition too I think.
Painted on the 26th of August. 41 x 31 cm Arches rough, 300g

The first watercolour wash
Paimpol harbour area, the first wash

Plein air kit
One of my plein air set ups

Photo of the Paimpol harbour area
Photo of the Paimpol harbour area

Categories
David Meldrum France Watercolour

Loguivy de la mer

Just ten minutes away from where I was staying in Brittany last week there is a small fishing village called Loguivy de la mer. I found it magical and visited the place for three days in a row. These watercolours were painted on the second day, the 22nd of August I think it was. I am happy with them, they are loose enough in style to feel quite fresh – at least, I think so.

Loguivy de la mer at full tide
Loguivy de la mer at full tide. Arches rough 31 x 23 cm, 300g