Thursday 10 November 2011

Warwickshire

On our recent trip up to Warwickshire we stayed in the gorgeous Bosworth Hall Hotel

 Set in 11 acres of parkland we got to see the glory of Autumn at its best



and discovered what looks like an Oak leaf (it has acorns afterall) but the leaves aren't your usual oak leaves...or at least not the ones I have ever seen before - so if anyone out there can assist with the identification I would love to know what it is called and where it originates....


as I said, the Hotel has extensive grounds which included a Swimming Pool and Spa area


and yes, those people are playing croquet on the lawn!

here's my rendition in my sketchbook


I also got to have a day out at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.  They were holding an Art Materials Live Show over 4 days.  Wow....loads of art stuff and demos all under one roof, it was utter bliss....


but I still couldn't just watch, I had to sketch as well



The whole trip was well worth the effort of travelling that far.



11 comments:

Judy said...

Mmmmm, that Art Materials Show.... paradise! Did you buy anything? The hotel looks lovely and comfortable as well.

Judy said...

Oh by the way, that is a beautiful painting at the top of your blog!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thank you Judy...yes I did buy one or two things!!...the painting at the top of the blog is based on our walks on Exmoor and also came from watching/studying/following instructional videos, some of whom included...Vinita Pappas, Alvaro Castagnet, Hazel Soan, and various others, well, bits and pieces of various others but mainly (I hope) ME and a LARGE BRUSH!! cheers, ann:)

Pat said...

What a fab break!
Love the sketches - and fess up, what did you buy?
and why has someone stuck two acorns onto a camellia? :lol:

robin cox walsh said...

Looks like you had a lovely trip. And got some new goodies and wonderful sketches out of the experience. Thanks for sharing!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Pat, okay confession time I bought:

1. 5 new sable brushes of varying sizes, not that I really needed them but I just love them!! (I know, costly, well they would have been but Rosemary Brushes were there with a stand and they had some great deals, so it was worth getting them there and then)- that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

2. A block of Interactive Acrylic Painting paper (I watched a demo by Fraser Scarfe, brilliant) - and since I have some interactive paints I thought I should try the paper (normally I use canvas).

3. picked up some freebies and watched 4 demos all of which were inspiring. After all that I was exhausted!:/

and you are so right about the acorns, perhaps it's a camillia acorn tree, some sort of hybrid.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Robin, yes it was a great trip and William enjoyed staying in the hotel too!

Crystal Cook said...

That looks like Heaven. Literally. :) Fall beauty, art supplies and demos and sketching!! Heaven I say. And Ann I LOVE your sketches. I just can't get enough of them.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Many thanks Crystal:)

bohemiannie! art said...

Is that a red oak? That's what I've heard them called. :)
Your sketch of the hotel...out back is better than the real thing!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Annie...I'll look up red oak, cheers for that:)