The Story of the Tree

As some of you may know, I've recently done a print - a photopolymer gravure to be precise - of a Scots Pine tree, and I've been lucky enough to get it selected for the current open exhibition of Visual Arts Scotland 'FLY2016'.  I thought I would record what lies behind the picture.

If you drive along the road from Lochcarron to Shieldaig, you go through a forest of Scots Pines just before Shieldaig.  I can only assume this is an old native woodland, maybe even an ancient wood, and it stretches from the shores of Loch Dughaill up the slopes of Ben Shieldaig.  It is lovely to drive through, and I'm always happy if I have to linger in a passing place there.  It is difficult to draw off the road, but you can find a spot.

We did stop one time, and I chanced upon a tree with character and ended up reaching for my sketch book.  Here's a photo of the tree in question.

As you know, the image captured in a photo is a distortion of the real thing, as is a sketch. But I think you can see a similarity between the two.  Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but then Matisse did advise 'Exaggerate in the direction of truth'. I also realised that I'd have to draw the tree over two pages in my sketch book to try and describe the crookedness of its character.  I think I used graphite and pencil on this sketch.

I never quite know what I'm going to do with my sketches.  Initially with this one I did nothing.  This tree has such a strong character.  Would it be suitable as the main motif in a painting?  I suppose I shied away from that as I thought it would be too dominant.

And then a few months later I was looking through my sketchbook for ideas for making new photopolymer plates.  I'm trying to do a few smaller plates in order to have cheaper prints to sell.  Anyway, I thought this might make a good picture, and re-drew it in ink on a type of transparent film (MMR film).  This is the drawing.  You can see the edges of the film which is lying on top of paper.

Finally, after exposing this on to photo-sensitive polymer plate (using a lightbox), I ended up with a type of 'etched' plate (but it's not strictly 'etched' as it doesn't go into a bath of acid to create the lines to hold the ink: that's done through a photographic development process: sometimes this process is sometimes called 'solarplate').  The final print which I pulled off the plate is looking like this - it's quite true to the final drawing I made.

So that's the story behind the 'Shieldaig Pine'.  The print is hiding away in one of the back rooms of the VAS exhibition at the RSA until 27th December 2016.  See if you can track it down when you go along and please let me know what you think when you see it in the flesh!

At Last....A Little Sketching.

Been so busy with the Lochcarron Gallery set up that I haven't sketched for ages - maybe a whole month - I have missed getting out and about sketching but there's just been no time!
This afternoon I escaped for a little sketching outing. Went to Shieldaig for a walk around the aird.
It started well with an atmospheric view of Shieldaig Island.

Sheildaig Island

 There was some bright sunlight in the sea which I haven't really captured here - I wanted to try and record the sea patterns. But already there were a couple of raindrops - you might notice the smudginess....

Wet sketch!

Anyway, I walked on and found the perfect spot for sketching a long view down Loch Torridon. A nice rock to sit on. I made a start...but then the heavens opened and my paper got soaked. Look at it! But it is a good composition, isn't it? I think it has a bit of promise for a big pic. Such a shame to be rained off.  Anyway, I think I can remember where that spot is, so I'll be back.

Contorted Birch

Carried on round the aird and saw a birch tree I couldn't resist....here it is.

It's so windblown and contorted. Might be a good subject for an etching. But I would need to work out what sort of background to include. I also liked the fact that the path is right beside this tree and should somehow be included in the pic.

Finally got to the farthest point and the sun came out. It's such a beautiful spot. I could see the hills of North Harris from here today (there was a chill in the air). And I could also see Beinn Alligin and Liathach, both with snow on their tops.  I identified what I thought was a good composition - a long portrait-sized pic. But the only dry paper I had was a little lightweight so I had to use pastel and pencil only. Spent a lot of time looking at the colours of the sea.

Well, it's a start. I'm hoping to get back to painting in the studio soon too!

Continuing The Struggle....

Still up north, and finally, yesterday, it was good enough for a proper sketching trip. I headed over to Sheildaig and turned off into Applecross.  I thought the clouds were coming over so with no time to lose, I stopped and did a couple of pencil sketches. Sheildaig was looking lovely in the sunshine, with a snow-capped Beinn Alligin rising in the background.  Had to sketch in pencil for speed as it was a bit cold.

In terms of composition, I was keen to try and capture the pine trees in the foreground. There was a lovely specimen close by, so I had a go at sketching it too.

By this time I was freezing, so it was back in the car, and on to Fearnmore, to visit my favourite corrugated iron hut. I thought I should sketch it from a different angle, so here's my first attempt.

Fearnmore Shore (sketch)

I thought a composition with the boats in the foreground might look interesting. I then followed up with a closer view, making more of the old wooden posts.  This time I used some wax crayon to get the rusty colour of the hut.

Fearnmore Fishing Hut (Another sketch)

I was quite pleased with this composition, and I was trying really hard to capture the birch trees slightly silhouetted against the sea in the middle distance. Again I was a bit cold after this, so it was back to the car to warm up. Then another couple of sketches of Fearnmore before heading off again.

The Road Past Fearnmore (Sketch)

I like this view of the road at the entrance to Fearnmore and have sketched it before. There are some nice little shapes of colour.

Abandoned Cottage sketch

And I did this abandoned house very quickly - I liked the little window and took photos of the textures....there may be a painting somewhere in this.....

I was a bit sketched out by this time and headed back to Kenmore, by the sea.  Had a walk in the adjacent woodland and then came across this lovely group of mature birch trees clinging on to the edge of the hill. I loved the angle of tilt, thought they were a crazy little group, showing so clearly how they struggle against the effect of the wind. It was beginning to get dark, so this was definitely my last sketch of the day.

Old Birch Trees (Pencil Sketch)

On reflection it reminds me of Cezanne's picture of Olive trees. I'm not sure of the title.  Actually, I just tried to find it in google, but couldn't see it; however my search has alerted me to just how many paintings of trees Cezanne did, and Van Gogh too. Gosh, I've got a long way to go...

A few more sketches

Managed to get a few more sketches done this week, making the most of my favourite locations. Mostly black and white I'm afraid (charcoal or graphite), in view of the weather.

Arina Shed (Applecross)

The Sandy Beach, Applecross (of Monty Hall fame)

Sketch and 2 pics of view west from Coral Beach, Applecross

Shieldaig Island, picture development

Sketch between rain showers at Loch Slapin, Skye

Another sketch of the Bealach (Applecross from Kishorn)

Shame about the weather this week. But I do like the moodiness when the clouds are down and the hills are disappearing. These sketches should be enough to work on in the coming weeks. Looking forward to some sustained work.

Sketching in Shieldaig

Up north again, at last.  Happy to be here, and even happier to get a little sketching done.
Went over to Shieldaig - always drawn to the mystery of Shieldaig Island.  Thought I'd get a good view of it from the new community pontoon, so we walked down there and I lingered to do this sketch using graphite and pencil.

Sketch of Shieldaig Island from the pontoon pier.

Also did this little pencil study, focusing on the Island's rocky edge (with Diabeg, and Raasay perhaps in the distance).

Island Edge Sketch

Drove round the corner to have a quick look at Torridon.  Hills were looking splendid with a little snow on the tops.  Managed a quick charcoal sketch despite the wind tugging at the pages.  The composition looks promising....

Ben Dearg across Loch Torridon with Birch Shore

Sadly that was all I could squeeze in today. And now I hear the rain outside.  This is good news for the wildlife here - it's been very dry and the evidence of recent wildfires was clear to see.  But I'll be sorry if I can't get out for some more sketching while we're here.