Muddy, frosty, misty lane near Wessington, Derbyshire

"Into the Mist #2", near Wessington, Derbyshire.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

Just a joy to paint...

Painting - snow and trees on Froggatt Edge, Derbyshire

"At the Edge", Froggatt Edge, Derbyshire.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

The reference material (sketch and a photo) for this oil painting came from a snow fall early last year on Froggatt Edge, Derbyshire. A slightly hazy afternoon sun provided a wonderful light behind the trees and on the snow with its highlights and shadows. The small path leads over the edge and down to some interesting large rocks.

The Painting:
The painting was started by drawing in the basic elements (outlines of the hills, tree trunks etc) with thinned oil paint. Following this the main darks were established - these being the rocks, dark vegetation (bracken and heather) and the larger tree branches. Next to be painted was the background hills before painting the darker (shadow) areas of snow.

The trees smaller branches were then painted before painting in the sky and then the snow covered sections on the distant hills. Some further small branches where then painted or re-established over the sky and distant hills - this is not the ideal/recommended way to do it.

Having established the darks for the snow, the mid and lighter toned areas were painted around the almost black stones/vegetation before finally adding some tall grasses. Lastly the path was painted.

Painting - fields, fence and frost... North Nottinghamshire

"Between Two Fields", Pinxton, Derbyshire.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

This location near Pinxton, Derbyshire is a usual 'stop and have a look' for me. While looking very rural, the roar of the traffic on the M1 motorway, which passes just behind the middle distant hill, is a constant distraction.

It was late afternoon, a lovely winter sunlight and some distant cloud along with the remaining frost clinging on in the shadows cast by the hedge. And it was this that attracted me on this day, the contrast between the warm and cool areas either side of the wooden fence, which has, over the years of visiting, slowly fallen apart.

Paintings - boats, harbours etc - Norfolk

"Wallowing in the Mud", Thornham, North Norfolk.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

Low tide on a wonderful bright but hazy afternoon at Thornham on the North Norfolk coast. The boat numbers vary at Thornham, both due to the season and the fishing trips that depart from here. Like anywhere along the Norfolk coast the tides rule, coming in and going out very fast - a falling tide allows more drawing/painting time and can provide more visual interest (e.g. reflections, reflected light) in the mud/sand due it being still wet.