Farmhouse on the Norfolk Broads

Farmhouse on the Norfolk Broads

I painted this one last year in March. The Norfolk Broads is a very inspiring location for painters. This picture has all the classic elements - farm and out buildings, trees welded to main focal point, cattle, meandering river to lead the eye into the picture, big sky, and fields. I focused on strong counter-change throughout the painting. 

Painting Watercolour Outdoors Book - Paintings Preview

Check out my new book on Painting Watercolours Outdoors - full of tips, hints and simple advice that works. Here's a selection of the paintings found inside the book as a preview. Enjoy.

Painting Watercolour Outdoors

My new book - Painting Watercolour Outdoors - has been published today.   From the blurb:

Sean Terrington Wright invites you to learn about his techniques and ways of working with watercolour. This book shows you how you can paint fresh, bold and impacting paintings. This book guides you with informed step-by-step instruction. If you want to create watercolours with punch, atmosphere and light, then read on.

 

Dramatic Light at Waxham Hall, Norfolk Broads, England

Waxhan hall, Norfolk, England - 22" x 15"

So my main focus in this watercolour was the dramatic tonal contrasts of the shape light and deep evening shadows. Waxham Hall, Norfolk, is beautiful subject to paint. The way the buildings and trees meld together creates unity. Notice the white roof next to the dark trees as the focal point. There was a bold application of the paint, too. We have a sense of the high contrasts and values, along with strong, rich colours. Painted on Saunders Waterford 300gms/140lb rough paper.

Castle Rising Churchyard, Norfolk

Castle Rising Churchyard, Norfolk, England - 15" x 11"

This churchyard was a fascinating subject. Painted outside in May 2013, the thing that grabbed my attention was the light and the way the elements seemed to link together. A typical rural England scene.  I also simplified the background - there was far too much detail of windows and structures on the buildings.

Storm Approaching Ayres Rock, Australia

Ayres Rock, Australia - 15" x 11"

Painted on Whatman watercolour paper in 1993! I've been painting a long time. I love the drama of this painting. Purple storm clouds and orange rocks. Great combination. The green bushes in the foreground are not fussy and do not distract from the focal point of the rock. Even though Whatman watercolour paper stopped production in the 1980s, I bought a huge batch back then and still bring it out now and again to paint on. It's a beautiful 100% cotton natural fibre paper.

Surfs Up - Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia

Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia - 15" x 11"

Another Australian watercolour - this time August 2005. Using Whatman watercolour paper, this was painted on Manly Beach. August in Oz is rather pleasant temperature-wise. This painting was completed in under half an hour, under very blustery conditions. Blowing sand also added to the need for speed! The thing that caught my attention was the steely blue-grey tones of the sea.