A cold misty day....

 ......not the sort of day for standing outside painting.  That's what I was faced with yesterday at Arlington Court.  My intention was to paint a plein air study of a hydrangea - they have some lovely shrubs over there, so before the flowers went over too much, I wanted to capture at least one of them.   

A good idea in theory, but it was cold and misty when I arrived yesterday - life of a painter!  Thankfully the staff at Arlington are really helpful, they agreed for me to paint in their Exhibition area (currently the bookshop, where I painted the other week).  But first, I needed some reference photos, so off I set with my camera...

As you see, some of the flowers were going over, but even so, there was something very nice about them too.  In amongst all the blues, there was one pink flower...

did you spot the spider!

As tempting as it was to paint the pink version, (and that would have been minus the spider),

I opted for blue

and went with this photo for reference - thought it had a nice shape

My easel set-up

work-in-progress stage

At this point I left it.  This oil painting needs to dry, otherwise I would be moving paint around too much.

It also gives me the chance to set it aside, and come back to it when it is dry.

I will then work on it again, to hopefully complete.

~ Will update you on this in a week or so ~

The beginnings of a Landscape painting

I actually remembered to do some video filming yesterday when I was painting plein air again at Arlington Court - National Trust - (click the image below, you can always scroll to speed it up!)

A random photo

I get to chat with a lot of visitors over at Arlington Court when I'm plein air painting. 

I'm guessing they take a lot of photos but I've rarely seen any of me painting.

That is until this week when a picture of me popped up in a local Facebook group....

(photo courtesy: Keith Maynard facebook)

I hadn't noticed someone taking photos, but when I'm in the painting zone anything could be happening around me and I'd be oblivious! 

🎨🎨🎨

And I'm back at Arlington Court - what a surprise!

 

The weather for my plein air painting session last week was, can I say, a bit "Iffy"   - there is no doubt, look at those clouds!   But I kept going.  I had a Plan though and was prepared to pack-up all the painting gear and head off.  However, the clouds moved away.  Replaced with others, but at least it didn't cause "Rain Stopped Painting", as opposed to 'rain stopped play' 🏏

I had set-up my easel further away from the pathways on this occasion.  Not to avoid people, but to get the angle I needed of the House.  Even so, a lot of people came over and chatted.  I hadn't noticed at the time,  a lady sat on a nearby seat who was sketching and eventually came over to chat with me.   I quite envied her simple approach to just sitting quietly and sketching on her own......although it turned out she was 'entertained' by listening to me chatting with the various visitors who stopped by.  Her comment was a surprise to me, as she thought I was so patient with people interrupting me when I was busy painting.  How kind of her to say - then she saw my Notice inviting people to stop and chat.  I pointed out that people hadn't even seen the Notice, and she was even more impressed that I was so patient with the visitors.   Wow!...this simple little fact really cheered me.

If you click the image above, hopefully the short video will play.

It was a Giveaway

Last weeks painting session at Arlington Court had a change of plan.  The weather forecast was a bit grim towards the tail end of the week, so I opted to do my plein air painting session earlier in the week - thus beating the storm (which unsurprisingly didn't come to anything - the forecasters seem to have got it wrong, I wonder how that happened)!

But anyway, back to my painting session there.  Turned out to be a good day,  I had chosen a shaded area, which meant I didn't burn in the sun - Plus the painting I had started the other week, was completed...(I'll do a separate blogpost about it soon).   Added to all this, I gave away 3 paintings to some lovely visitors. These are the paintings, only small ones but there were reasons I didn't want to add them to my online shop...

Painting No. 1....  This measured 4x6inches on panel - 'The Lake at Arlington Court'  -  I had used it as a demo painting on my Youtube channel a while back - very quickly painted with no refined detailing, so felt it would make a good one to Giveaway.

Painting No. 2 ... again approx. 4x6inches but painted on cardboard (primed of course). A view across Exmoor - basically because it was on cardboard, I felt it would make a nice little Giveaway.

and finally

Painting No. 3 ... 5x7inches on panel.  This one was a piece copied from the American artist Turner Vinson (with his permission) of the Bitterroot River in Montana.  At the time I wanted to try out a completely different style, also out of my comfort zone, so what better than to try out an impressionist piece with very gestural marks and thick paint.  I enjoyed painting it, but felt I couldn't add it to my online shop, since it was a work from someone elses.  I did add the details on the reverse of this, so that the people who received this Giveaway, were fully informed (and I told them too).

During the painting session at Arlington, a lot of people stopped to chat.   No idea how, but you just get a feeling that some people would love to go home with a painting - for those, I delve into my art bag, and show them a painting, then say "here you are, it's yours".    If I said they are astonished and delighted, it would be an underestimate.   I seemed to have made their day, and hopefully they will always remember their Arlington visit.

Interview

Last week saw Volunteers Week at Arlington Court, and in fact for the National Trust generally.  A chance to show people the various roles that Volunteers do for the Trust, and hopefully encourage others to start volunteering too.  So, I guess it was inevitable that whilst I was plein air painting, I got hijacked into doing an interview!  To be honest, I could have said No (and nearly did), but thought it was only going to be a brief moment of total humiliation and I could cope with that.  

So, me the introvert, compromised with only briefly talking and then took the opportunity to face the easel and pretend the camera wasn’t there!   

(Thanks M who filmed this, you were so patient).

And now all I can say is click the image below to see the interview, and I would like to point out that I don’t look like me…why is that!?, and it doesn’t sound like me either…I think they used photoshop, lol.

A sunny painting day

I've missed a few painting sessions at Arlington Court recently, one main reason was due to the weather...somehow I couldn't see myself trying to hold down the easel in a ferocious gale.  

So, finally I was very pleased to get back there yesterday.  If you click the final image there's a little screenshot video....enjoy!

~ Thought the painting was beginning to blend with the background ~

~ click ⤵︎ ~

My Youtube channel:   Ann Hyde - Painting Diaries

Bit of a catch-up

Published

Being a volunteer artist for the National Trust at Arlington Court and with access to their volunteers "MyVolunteering" site,  I'm delighted that they contacted me and wanted an article for one of their monthly issues.  This was back in February, so I'm on catch-up here.

Although the article is only accessible to the Volunteers of the National Trust, but considering that I wrote the piece for them, I'm adding it here for you to read too......... 

Plein-air at Arlington

by Ann Hyde, volunteer artist in residence at Arlington Court

Ann Hyde's depiction of the house at Arlington Court, Devon (Photo: Ann Hyde)

Artistic inspiration comes from all directions at Arlington Court, where my love of plein-air painting has plenty to keep me busy. Great when the weather is on my side, although I've been seen determinedly holding onto my easel when the weather gets up. On days like that, I’ll often retreat to the arcades at the Carriage Museum or the conservatory in the gardens.

The conservatory at Arlington Court in Devon, as painted by Ann Hyde (Photo: Ann Hyde)

Initially, when I became volunteer artist in residence four years ago, I thought I may eventually run out of inspiration. However, the opposite has happened. New ideas have grown, from season to season, firstly using watercolours, the next year acrylics. Having a lifelong passion for painting, I enjoy watercolours, acrylics and oils.

It all began in the 1950s when my dad worked as a carpenter for Lord Mountbatten on the Broadlands estate in Romsey. Some days, I would go with him to Broadlands whilst he was working. I met Lord Mountbatten on several occasions and he kindly gave me books that I could start drawing in. To be honest, my artwork as a five-year-old was nothing exceptional, but it was a very good start.

'Summer Evenings' by Ann Hyde (Photo: Ann Hyde)

My husband, our two children and I moved to North Devon in 1997, and I became a volunteer at Arlington Court in 2010. At the time, they were doing carriage drive rides for visitors and, as a qualified carriage driver, I was able to act as a volunteer groom on the carriages.

Sadly, the carriage rides ended. I then became a volunteer guide in the carriage museum. At that time, I was often going over as a visitor with my paints and sketchbook and would quietly sit and produce paintings of the views. I found on many occasions that other visitors would come over and have a look at what I was painting and stop for a chat. I could therefore see an opportunity to develop this into a volunteering role, and I had several meetings with the administrative staff at Arlington. Together, we developed this opportunity by natural progression, and it's still developing year on year.

Another view of the house at Arlington Court, painted by Ann Hyde (Photo: Ann Hyde)

Over the last two years, I've predominantly been using oils on canvas. I love oil paints, using both brush and palette knife to convey light and textures, and this medium will remain my favourite. When a painting hasn’t been completed, I will either continue it on my next visit, or finish it in my home studio.

Obviously, my painting sessions have to take place outdoors. However, I've been able to take reference photos and pencil sketches in the house and have created oil paintings from them.

Ann sometimes produces paintings of items inside the house from reference photos and pencil sketches (Photo: Ann Hyde)

Although very much weather dependent, I've tried to work on a fixed day, once a week, through spring, summer and autumn, with additional days slotted in here and there. Once I've set up my easel and started painting, many visitors will stop and chat. I see my role as part of their visitor experience. Many visitors come back on their same visit to see how the work is developing. It gives me great satisfaction both to paint there and talk to so many of the visitors.

Once Ann's easel is set up, visitors will stop and chat with her (Photo: Ann Hyde)

Although curtailed in 2020 due to the pandemic, I had in the previous two years held a two-day exhibition at Arlington of my paintings, with proceeds going to the Trust. Any other sales of Arlington work that I do, also go to the Trust as donations. Hopefully, as we come out of the pandemic and the Trust gets back to some normality, my paintings will be exhibited for sale in the new reception / shop area that Arlington is building.

Reflections in the Wilderness Pond at Arlington Court, painted by Ann Hyde (Photo: Ann Hyde)

I have, at Arlington’s request, produced paintings for Christmas cards for the past three years, cards for their Sponsor a Tree project, pictures for the development of the formal Victorian gardens and artwork for the Vinery Tea Room. There's also a further project they've asked me to be involved with - the opening up of a historical bridge within the wider estate.

Nowadays, I video and add to YouTube - the Ann Hyde Painting Diaries. I feel a series coming on! During the lockdowns, I've worked in the studio and have filmed the painting process.

The time-lapse video below shows Ann painting The Lake at Arlington Court:

It's nice to keep reminding myself of Arlington, even when I can’t be there - but in the end there's nothing like painting plein-air.

~ Hope you enjoyed reading this ~

Plein air again

Another visit to Arlington Court - oh so lucky with the weather (it has since been raining non-stop)

Turned out to be a very good day weatherwise.   I did have a major rethink on the painting - the right hand side in fact, but heyho this is how the painting process goes sometimes.  It's quite nice to change something when not sure about it. 

 

Below is where I'm in the process of changing it...taken out a large tree 

For now the painting will have to dry.

This is why Oil paintings take time

1. If you happen the change something

and

2. Waiting for paint to dry

It's good to be back at Arlington

With Easter over now and the weather so good (in other words it has warmed up, I am not a fan of painting whilst freezing cold!) and so I have been plein air painting again at Arlington Court National Trust after what feels like months and months.  It is so good to be back there.  Can't believe how lucky we are with this weather at the moment, and making the most of it.  I guess we will pay the price with a deluge of rain at some point, nature has her ways, but meanwhile I've been painting in the open air, how wonderful again at last.

This first week back has really been about getting in a couple of warm-up sessions, to get back into it.  Even so, I have managed to do 6 hours.  Admittedly that was not painting the entire time, I stop to chat with visitors and hope they enjoyed seeing my paintings.

Now back in the studio, the paintings will dry and hopefully be ready for my visit next week.

This Oil on canvas is looking across at the house....a given subject as the canvas is happens to be 8x16 ins.

click the image below....

  I saved this clip onto my Youtube channel, hopefully it makes a good place to save videos)

A sunny day for painting

Yesterday was a perfect Summer day for plein air painting.  Taking the opportunity, since the forecasters reckon it will rain later this week, I decided to go back to Arlington Court.   I love my Volunteering, what a great way of being there for visitors, we chat, laugh and I get the chance to inform them about Arlington. It's a Win Win for everyone.  Plus the painting went well (between talking) and I still have it In-progress for the next visit.   Fingers crossed the weather will be good on that occasion, I need the light right.

If you click the picture above, there's a short video clip 🎥 ⤴︎

In the background

I like to add my up to date paintings here and hope it doesn't bore the living whatnots out of you all -

However, I don't add everything here.  In the background I'm painting work for the National Trust at Arlington Court (yes, I do go on about this from time to time) but not all pieces get seen as I'm saving them up for an Exhibition there.

Of course, 2020 has surprised us all.  We should have had the vision to see this one coming!

(sorry, slight play on words and joke there - did you get it?!...okay, I'll help  "2020 Vision")

So, with the pandemic and things being Closed, it has also meant that building works at Arlington Court were put on hold.  This has knocked on to my Exhibition, as the space I would have used is going to remain being used for other things.  Next year it is then, she says with fingers crossed.

Regardless I continue painting - as if I would stop.  I have a painting on the easel done from photo reference at the moment, although I am very hopeful of getting back there to do some plein air painting soon.  National Trust properties are reopening again, albeit tentatively and not all properties are the same, so it's worth checking first before you think of visiting.  Arlington is opening with booked tickets for now, but doesn't include the House or Carriage Museum.  That said, there's plenty to see, it's a vast estate.  

Oil on art board

Title: "Elegant Simplicities"

5" x 7"

I'm adding a Link to the National Trust website, where you can read their current strategy for reopening.

Christmas lunch

As part of volunteering for Arlington Court - National Trust -

they acknowledge all the hard work us volunteers put into helping during the season by

arranging a Christmas lunch. 

Looked forward to, not only for the splendid food, but a chance to catch-up with colleagues.

This being the tail-end of the season for Arlington, heading into Christmas and the Winter break before it all kicks off again in February.

anyway....enough of that....Graham took a photo of me at the table.

No, I'm not surrounded by Swans!!!  (just in case you wondered)

THANKS TO ARLINGTON COURT

FOR ARRANGING THIS EVENT

 ~ IT IS ALWAYS ENJOYED ~

Oil painting on canvas

You may have noticed this painting yesterday in the slideshow,

thought it was worth it's own blogpost today.

This is one of my favourite Arlington paintings as the angle is so different.

It was also fun to paint, lots of thick paint on the palette knife...nothing like it,

and the painting virtually paints itself.  Believe me, that's true. 

Get the Tones right for each colour and your away.

Title:  "A Walk in the Meadow"

Size: 12" x 12"

Plein Air painting

From my plein air painting sessions at Arlington Court

I've now, finally, completed the Oil painting -

although I did the finishing touches in the studio,

so plein air for the most part.

previous blog post about it...here

completed

There's work before an oil painting....

First I take photos

Here's one from a room at Arlington Court National Trust

I liked how the light came into the room and hit the seat on the chaise,

plus the light on the floor.

True, there's some artistic license, but that's the fun part of being the artist and making decisions.

1. Decided not to have the net curtain, but show the window with a hint of greenery outside

2. I didn't want the electronic gizmo on the wall (something that's needed in historic properties) but not for my painting

3.  I simplified the furniture/items in the room

4.  Added some extra colour to cushions and the rug which tied the painting together 

Titled:

"Summer Evenings"

Oil on Canvas • (12" x 12")

Gotcha!

I've been spotted at Arlington Court - 

and I wasn't aware that picture was being taken.  Small world here in Devon.  A friend of a friend, had been walking around Arlington and had taken this photo yesterday.  My friend realised it was me and messaged to tell me as it was on Facebook.   I feel very honoured that someone thought a picture of me was worthy of their own facebook post.   (When I found out, I got permission to use this photo - I love it when people are generous like that).

I am still working on that painting, it certainly has been a work in progress.

Blogpost about it coming soon.

Meanwhile, have a great weekend all.

Something of a painting challenge...

A challenge I set myself, what was I thinking!   but firstly, and this is background to why I set myself a challenge in the first place.....

Here's a Watercolour, painted by the late Chrissie Peters who lived at Arlington Court years ago.  As with the owner of the house, Rosalie Chichester, Chrissie Peters was also a very keen artist.  She did this painting of the Boudoir room, with its silk wall hangings....

It occurred to me to do an up to date version of this but in Oils.  I took a photo for reference (no flash) but as you see this room is very dark.  Purposely so, as they need to keep light from damaging the silk wall hangings.....

You'll see this makes it extremely difficult to do a painting -

so I lighted up the photo in an App,

Even lighted, the image still isn't ideal.   The small amount of light in this room anyway, distorts photos.  So in another App I tried to take out the artificial light effect and got this

This is probably a truer image, and does show how the silk wall hangings have faded over the years, somewhere in the region of 200 years!

(Here's a link to Arlington's website page about them)

It would still make for quite a dull painting, and so in the end I have to use artistic license.

I wasn't going to face the intricate design for one thing,

and felt that an Impressionist style would be the way to go.

So here it is 

Oil Painting on canvas

Textured Impressionist style

12" x 12"

my version of the Boudoir room today

A work-in-progress

I don't always remember to stop and taking photos of the various stages in a painting....at least I remembered this time (sort of)! lol

This painting is actually now completed, but here's the Work-in-Progress stages....keep in mind that the PINK is a Background colour only - 

Stage 1

Stage 2

 You’ll notice I changed the seat colour as felt it would be too similar to the blue background -

 Stage 3

Completed painting

Title: Safe Landing

measures 12" x 12"

Oil on Canvas

 ~ My inspiration: Based on a chair at Arlington Court National Trust ~

Oil painting completed....

Cat on the windowsill painting which I've named:

"ON A SNOW DAY"

(measures 8" x 8" - will be framed when the paint is dry)