Friday 31 August 2012

Swans on the river



On one of our recent walks along what is known as the Tarka Trail near Barnstaple,  I took a few photos. It was the former railway line which closed years ago as part of the Beeching cuts (click the link to read about that, if you are interested) - it must have been a lovely trip as the rail line followed the river.

Not a good day for photos unfortunately as it was so cloudy, but never the less I thought I would share them with you


those clouds were really threatening!
(if anyone wants to use these photos for paintings then please go ahead)






Having seen the swans, when I got home I decided to do a sketch - starting with a light background first  (Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue mixed to a pale wash)...


when that layer had dried I went over with a darker mix of the same colours






Still a few touches to do here and there, but mainly this is it done.....just a sketch, but it was fun to do and reminds me of our walk.

Today I'm Linking

to


***

Happy Painting Everyone







52 comments:

Laura said...

Hi Ann - Great piccies especially the raspberry one. Were you tempted to pick any? Love the swan sketch. I'm hopeless with sketches. I see the first few washes and then give up as it doesn't look like anything. I forget that the finishing touches are what make a sketch or painting come alive sometimes, just like your swan. Happy PPF (now you've got me doing it too... lol)

Lisabella Russo said...

Oooh, I think those cloud photos are lovely! Your swan looks great Ann, I love how you use watercolors...

Unknown said...

Have a fantastic Friday Ann and we loved the swans.
Best wishes Molly

Tracey FK said...

your swan is lovely and it is so generous of you to allow people to paint your wonderful photos... I am sure someone will be happy to paint them...xx

Sinderella's Studio said...

I have not seen a black swan in real life... love your painting and was wowed when scrolling down and first saw the photo. Great pics, I don't think I could do the clouds - I love them though!
cheers, dana

carol l mckenna said...

Exquisite photography and your creation is divine! ~ (A Creative Harbor)

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks very much Robert(:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Laura - yes I was tempted with the raspberries!...resisted though as I thought they may not all be completely ripe! Do hope my sketch has given you encouragement to have a go with sketching more, you are so right that it is the final touches which make all the difference and getting the contrasts.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Lisa (:

Carolyn Dube said...

Beautiful sketch and watercolor! Thanks for sharing how you built it up!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Glad you liked the swans Molly - I expect you would have chased them like William wanted to!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Tracey - yes, I hope someone will use the photos.

ann @ studiohyde said...

I like the black swans best of all Dana, they look so elegant.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Carol(:

Joan Tavolott said...

Nice work on the texture of the swan's feathers! The sky looked great in the photos.

KonstantinaP said...

You are getting perfect with your new camera, Ann! I like the photos very much, especially the first one!
As always, your sketch is very good!!!
Warm regards.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks very much Carolyn, Joan and Konstantina (:

Netty said...

Thank you for sharing your photos and loving your black swan. Happy PPF, Annette x

Tito said...

Hi Ann, beautiful photos and beautiful sketch too, your swan is really lovely. Ciao!

Marji said...

What a lovely black swan. It is so nice to take a photo walk even when the sky isn't brilliantly blue. Happy PPF

Ginny said...

Ann, your photos were wonderful. It really made me want to get to the beach or some type of water very soon. Your sketch was also beautiful. Thank you for offering your pictures. I have a feeling they will be a great inspiration to many, including me.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Many thanks Netty, Tito, Marji and Ginny - glad you like the pics. Certainly hope they can inspire - Happy Painting everyone (:

Mary C. Nasser said...

Love that combination of Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue in your painting!
Wonderful!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Mary (:

robin cox walsh said...

Lovey pictures, lovely sketch!

Giggles said...

Very pretty!! Happy ppf!

Hugs Giggles

Hadiyah said...

Love love love your photography, the sky really looks threatening. And the swan is soo beautifully painted. I am also hopeless at sketching and absolutely horrendous at painting with watercolours. I don't know ow you do it but I do k is you are very very talented. Looking forward to seeing more of your art. Big fan.
I am a twelve year old who just started a blog and would love for you to drop by.

www.anartisticheart.blogspot.com

Ayala Art said...

The picture with the berries is awesome, and I like how your swan turned out, thanks for sharing!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Robin(:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Giggles(:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hello Hadiyah, nice to see somebody so young enjoying photography and art. Glad you stopped by my blog.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Ayala(:

Natasha said...

Beautiful work. I am loving cloud photos at the moment, especially coming out of winter I have captured some very dramatic looking clouds. The swan is gorgeous. Love the painting and seeing a peek of your process.

bohemiannie! art said...

Oh so beautiful Ann!

ann @ studiohyde said...

There's just something special about these black swans, they are a delight to see.

Anne Manda said...

Lovely black swan, beautiful! Happy PPF!

Dana said...

Oh lovely post. I love the photos and the painting , I love swans :) Im your new follower ^.^
I blog about art too, welcome to follow me back:
http://purelyenchanted.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
XoXo

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Anne (:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Dana - thanks for stopping by and joining - I'm now your newest Follower (: yay.

Pat said...

Beautiful photos and lovely painted sketch xx

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Pat (:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Many thanks Natasha(:

carlarey said...

Swans are simply the most elegant creatures...you have captured that elegance beautifully. I am jealous of your beautiful scenery too.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Carla(:

John (JWJarts) said...

Great photo's and great sketch. ;-)

Duaa said...

Love your photography and love your sketch!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks John (:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Duaa (:

Nora MacPhail said...

Those top two sky photos are just fantastic! So inspiring. Lovely bird painting too.

JKW said...

You are new to me. Where do you live that the river looks like an ocean? The clouds are fantastic, I'm always taking pictures of clouds. I love the swan and that you told how you painted him. I have joined a Plein Air group meeting on Friday mornings all over the area. I need to focus on my sketch skills. I am a new follower. Blessings, Janet PPF

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thanks Nora (:

Thanks Daniele (:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Janet, It's actually an river that goes from Barnstaple in North Devon. Good idea to join a Plein Air group, you can learn so much from others and it is enjoyable to be sketching with fellow artists too.