How to paint watercolour with Tarnincolour

Lautrec

2012-01-28T00:01:00.001-08:00

Lautrec is a beautiful village near Albi in SW France. This view can be seen from up the hill beside the windmill. I painted this four times I wanted a free and loose look but found it hard to achieve with so many hard edged buildings.

this is a view I have tried to capture in watercolour, pencil and pen, and these are my latest attempt. I think like the first one below best.

Lautrec in SW France

watercolour 26 x 18cm

Arches rough 300gsm

Allan Kirk 2011

Lautrec in SW France

watercolour 26 x 18cm

Arches rough 300gsm

Allan Kirk 2011

Lautrec in SW France

watercolour 29 x 22cm

Arches rough 300gsm

Allan Kirk 2011

Lautrec in SW France

watercolour 32 x 22cm

Arches rough 300gsm

Allan Kirk 2011

On the top of the moor

2012-01-25T00:01:00.002-08:00

Moor top is s subject I return to often. This road is about 3 km from our home in Yorkshire. I quite like the colours I am getting at the moment with my work and a lot of it is down to adding Light Red and Cerulean Blue to my palette.

I also like the way Bockingford paper works it seem ideal for lively rather than soft moody atmospheric scenes. The colours do mix on the paper, but not to the extent that this occurs on Arches or Saunders Waterford papers.

Moor Top
watercolour 33 x 24cm
Bockingford extra rough, 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2012

Snow at Flight hill West Yorkshire (UK)

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Flightt hill on the top of the moors is a wild place in snow. I used to regularly cycle this, but I never tried in the snow. I have created this watercolour as a step by step exercise which can be found at step by step watercolour exercises

Flight Hill, West Yorkshire, England

watercolour22 x 28cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Venice

2012-01-19T22:01:00.000-08:00

I have created watercolour from a photo and sketch I completed on my visit to Venice.I have created this as a step by step exercise that can be found att step by step watercolour exercises

Doge's Tower, Venice

watercolour19 x 27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Flower Vase

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

I have been trying flowers a lot in 2011. I painted these one cold day in December.

Vase of Flowers
watercolour 24 x 31cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Follow the leader in snow

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

The moors above Holmfirth in West Yorkshire in England are a cold place in snow. you wouldn't linger long in the wind, snow and cold. The sheep wait for hay bales and follow the leader to the gate by the road. I have created this watercolour as a step by step exercise which can be found at step by step watercolour exercises

Follow the leader, snow on the moors

watercolour 18 x 26cm
ashes rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Albi in cloud

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Albi is a magnificent red brick medieval city on the banks of the river Tarn. We love to visit, and I always try to draw or paint whenever I am there. The red brick 13rh century cathedral dominates the old medieval quarter down to the river. It is normally sunny, but on this occasion it was an overcast and cold day. I used mainly French Ultramarine Blue and Light Red in this work

Albi in cloud
watercolour 30 x 24cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

New step by step watercolour exercises for the new year

2012-01-07T00:01:00.001-08:00

Allan Kirk creates step by step watercolour and pena nd wash exercises that you can down load to your own computer., Here are 3 new watercolour step by step exercises. Find them at Stepbystepwatercolour.com

Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, Canada in October. Try this beautifully simple two colour exercise: Stepbystepwatercolour.com

Brentwood Bay
watercolou18 x 26cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Staithes in the NE England, an historic old fishing port: Stepbystepwatercolour.com

Staithes
watercolour 25 x 33cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Medieval Beziers in SW France, dominated by the gothic Cathedral : Stepbystepwatercolour.com

Beziers
watercolour 25 x 33cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Flight Hill, WestYorkshire, England

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Flight hill on the top of the moors is a wild place in snow. It is strange that in snow, with a darkening sky the light comes from the ground. I like the whiteness of Arches paper for snow pictures, where the sky is darker.

Flight Hill, West Yorkshire, England

watercolour 20 x 23cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Flight Hill, West Yorkshire, England

watercolour 20 x 23cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Sunflowers, St Felix, and the Pyrenees

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012 to everyone

Sunflowers, St Felix and the Pyrenees

Sunflowers, St Felix and the Pyrenees

watercolour 31 x 25cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Dovestones Reservoir

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

This watercolour of Dovestones reservoir ( between Leeds and Manchester in the North of England) was completed in France, I also painted this on my Canada visit at the Shoal workshop. There is a step by step lesson that is a version of this that can be found at stepbystepwatercolour

Dovestones reservoir
watercolour 22 x 32cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Sunflowers for Christmas

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

I find painting sunflowers in a field difficult. I have mentioned this in previous blogs, I have looked at all the sunflower paintings known to have been done by Van Gogh and he never painted a field of sunflowers. He once painted on growing in a garden, but usually he cut them and painted indoors.

I was pleased with this effort. Aguts is a small village about 6km from my home. They don't grow sunflowers in the same field two years running, I will probably have to wait until 2013 for this view again.

Merry Christmas to everyone

Sunflowers in front of the church at Aguts
watercolour 29 x 23cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Montgey Again!

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

This watercolour of Montgey was painted from another I completed up at the Chateau. I tried to get a deeper shadow in this work. I used a combination of French Ultramarine and Raw Umber. I like the rich dark warm hue it produced.

Chateau Montgey
watercolour 22 x 27cm
Arches Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Chateau Montgey
Pen and wash tonal sketch 27 x 22cm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Mary's Lighthouse - Whitley Bay

2011-12-19T00:01:00.001-08:00

The Lighthouse at Whitley Bay in NE England is one of my favourite subjects

St Marys Lighthouse
watercolour 23 x 31cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Venice Canal

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

I am still working through my Venice sketches and photos and have created this watercolour at home in December. I wanted an atmospheric view that reflected the light we found there in March

I used masking fluid to maintain highlights, but also added a little gouache at the end.

Venice canal
watercolour 30 x 21cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Venice - Just past Academia

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

I am still working through my Venice sketches from our 4 day visit in March. The trip has had a great impact on me and I will go back soon.

I have worked this watercolour up from sketches I made on our visit in spring 2011. The location is just past the bridge at Academia
.

Venice (just past Academia)
watercolour 35x23cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Venice from the Rialto Bridge

2011-12-07T00:02:00.000-08:00

I was pleased with the light I got in this work. The light in Venice was like this on our trip in March. The distant light was watery and gentle, and the near hustle and bustle had strong light and contrast.

I keep referring in my blogs to John Yardley's quote "If you see a jumble, paint a jumble", but it is so true here for the hustle and bustle of the canal side.

Grand Canal, Venice from Rialto bridge
watercolour 22 x 31cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Gonzales Beach

2011-12-04T00:02:00.000-08:00

On my first full day in Victoria we went to Gonzales Beach in Victoria (it is 5 minutes from my sisters house). It was a beautiful sunny October day and I managed a few pen and wash sketches.

Working from my sketches I added a boat to the foreground in this watercolour.

Gonzales Beach, Victoria, Canada
watercolour 36x26cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Gonzales Beach, Victoria, Canada
Pen and WashAllan Kirk 2011

Gonzales Beach, Victoria, Canada
Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Gonzales Beach, Victoria, Canada
Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Shoal Centre workshop Canada - 3

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

A usual day involved one substantial exercise in which we all completed a work, and usually we had time for some free wash and pen and wash sketching.Here is a round up of some of the free pen and wash sketches we tried. Our moto was to be "carefree", not careful.


Canal Du Midi
Pen and watercolour 26x18cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011


Grand Farmhouse in SW France
Pen and watercolour 26x18cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011


Grand Farmhouse in SW France
Pen and wash
Drawing paper
Allan Kirk 2011

Shoal Centre workshop Canada - 2

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

A usual day involved one substantial exercise in which we all completed a work, and usually we had time for some free wash and pen and wash sketching. In our structure we worked through the im[importance of tone and colour, but always focused on light and ignored details. Our moto was to be "carefree", not careful.

A couple of days efforts included the watercolours below.

Blue Window emphasises how tone and colour together can create light in a work.


Blue Window
watercolour 27x20cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

As we worked from a 2 colour tonal exercise we got more adventurous with our colours, but always kept a limited palette, we did not use too many colours.


Farmhouse in France
watercolour 27x19cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

we chose a different mood and atmosphere for each work.

We really enjoyed sketching with watersoluble ink pens and a waterbrush, and then going on to use watercolour with the pens.


Moors
Pen and wash sketch
Allan Kirk 2011


Moors
Pen and watercolour wash sketch
Allan Kirk 2011

Shoal Centre workshop Canada - 1

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

My final workshop in Canada was with Sam Boehner's group of artists. We held the workshop at the Shoal Centre in Sidney on Vancouver Island. It was a rewarding time with an enthusiastic, loud and hardworking group

I was lucky enough to sell a few of my Demonstration pieces, so they do not appear here

On day one we worked on tone and competed a 2 colour exercise. Following this main work we concentrated on washes and creating work quickly with no drawing, using only a few colours.

Our attempts were of a river mouth scene. This is an exercise is broad washes with large brushes and working quickly without fuss. Between washes we used a hair dryer to dry the work.


Sunset on the river
watercolour 29x21cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011


On the river
watercolour 29x21cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

we chose a different mood and atmosphere for each work.

To keep the work loose, fast and carefree we worked on people exercises several times.


People
watercolour 29x21cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Venice - New Step by step exercises for Winter

2011-11-22T01:06:00.000-08:00

I have created 2 new step by step exercises for winter. A watercolour and a pen and wash. These can be found at .stepbystepwatercolour.com. They are both from our visit to Venice in March.

Grand Canal Venice from under Rialto bridge
watercolour 22 x 16cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Along with the pen and wash is a video of my drawing in Venice

The pen and wash is shown below

pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Coast Collective, Victoria BC - Pen and Wash Workshop

2011-11-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

Following my watercolour workshop I tutored a Pen and Wash workshop at the Coast Collective.. in the 2 day workshop we concentrated in Day 1 on pen and ink, including watersoluble ink and waterbrush.. In Day 2 we concentrated on colour using watercolour with our ink pens. Always we tried to work loosely and be free and this meant we were able to sketch quickly, both in the classroom and outdoors.

I carry my pen and waterbrush everywhere I go, I find it light and flexible and it enables me to draw wherever I am.

As we sat outside the Coast Collective house we sketched looking out to the lagoon and back at the house .

Coast Collective - House
Pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2011

From the gardens we loooked across the lagoon to Victoria in the distance, beyond the naval shipyard.

Naval Shipyard, Victoria BC
Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Door
Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk 2011

In Day 2 we used watercolour with our pens to create colourful Pen and wash sketches.

Canal du Midi
Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Quick sketch on drawing paper using watercolour and waterproof drawing pan.

Door
Pen and Wash on drawing paper
Allan Kirk 2011

Brentwood Bay Canada

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

On the last Saturday of our visit to Canada with my sister, brother in law and nephew
Jude, Glen and Jack (Amy, my niece was working and couldn't be with us) we visited Brentwood Bay. We had great fish and chips and I managed a pen and ink sketch and some photos from which I produced these watercolours later.

Working from my sketch I left out the tree and increased the size of the main boat in the watercolour to Balance the picture better.
Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, Canada
watercolour 36x27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

This Boatyard was next to the Seahorse cafe where we had lunch. In this work I kept in mind the advice I heard John Yardley give in one of his DVD's "If you see a jumble, paint a jumble". I did not try to reslove the boats, or the posts under the jetty, but just tried to paint what I saw.

Boatyard, Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, Canada
watercolour 36x27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Looking towards one end of the Bay

Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, Canada
watercolour 31x23cm
Saunders Waterford rough
Allan Kirk 2011

Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island, Canada
Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Day 3 & 4 - Watercolour Workshop - Coast Collective, Victoria BC, Oct 2011

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

In our watercolour workshop in October at the Coast Collective we were very fortunate with the weather and managed to work outdoors on most days. Also working in the classroom for part of the time on days 3 and 4 we concentrated on light and colour after beginning the course working on Tone.on earlier days.days

we worked in a "show and tell" way where we completed exercises together step by step. For colour and light we completed the works below

Blue Window - (combining light colour and tone)
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Grand Farmhouse - (combining light colour and tone)
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

We got more opportunity for outdoor work in the Coast Collective garden looking out across the lagoon, a large tree seemed to dominate the edge of the garden. There was a lot of driftwood on the shore, so difficult to include in a sketch

Coast Collective Lagoon
watercolour 18x26cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Trying to work quickly and freely we completed loose sketches of people walking in a street

People
watercolour
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Day 2 - Watercolour Workshop - Coast Collective, Victoria BC, Oct 2011

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

In our watercolour workshop in October at the Coast Collective we were very fortunate with the weather and managed to work outdoors on most days. The setting for the Arts centre is stunning and we worked in the grounds looking out to the lagoon and Victoria beyond. From an initial outdoor sketch of the lagoon which all my students completed I have worked up a studio effort. I hope my students try a studio work from their watercolour sketches. The Autumn colours were growing strong in Victoria BC.

Lagoon, Coast Collective, Victoria BC - Studio effort
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lagoon, Coast Collective, Victoria BC - workshop outdoor sketch.
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Day 1 - Watercolour Workshop - Coast Collective, Victoria BC, Oct 2011

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

I had a great time at the Coast Collective arts centre in Victoria BC, Canada. I tutored one 4 day watercolour and one 2 day pen and wash workshops.

The centre is beautiful set in a charming old house in acres of land on a lagoon just outside Victoria. The whole place feels good and the house, outdoors, gallery rooms and classroom settings are inspiring

Coast Collective, House, Victoria BC - An historic setting on a lagoon by the Pacific.
Pen and wash 27 x 22cm
Allan Kirk 2011

We started the watercolour workshop indoors with a 2 colour exercise that focuses upon the value of tone in watercolour impressionist painting. We all completed the exercise, in a "show and tell" way, where I demoed each step, as I explained it.

Two colour tonal exercise.
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Following completion of this exercise we quickly and freely worked up a tonal wash and applied water soluble pen after the wash had dried . This quick exercise concentrates upon the value of tone in watercolour.

Tonal wash with watersoluble pen applied.
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Allan Kirk Workshops Victoria BC, Canada October 2011 - Watercolour Demo

2011-11-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

We have returned from our very successful visit to Victoria BC in Canada, where I completed

2 workshops for the Coast Collective arts centre, 1 watercolour and 1 Pen and wash

1 workshop for artist Sam Boehner at the Shoal Centre in Sidney, and

1 Evening Demo to the Victoria Chapter of the (FCA) Federation of Canadian Artists

Over the next couple of weeks I will blog my working experience and I will start with my evening demo at the FCA to 60 members. I completed my painting (around one and half hours) at the presentation demo and at the same time tried to explain my way of painting and encouraged questions.

Lac St Ferreol, Demo to Federation of Canadian Artists, Victoria BC, Oct 2011

watercolour 34 x 24cm

Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm

Allan kirk 2011

Lesley, my wife made a video of the presentation from the audience using our Flip camera and she has edited it down to three small videos for YouTube.

I hope you will get an enjoyable and informative indication of my presentation and painting skills.

Part 1 Watercolour Matertials

Painting starts in Part 2

Part 2 Painting

Part 3 Finishing off

A few more sketches I made in Venice

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have assembled another set of sketches number of sketches I completed on our four day trip to Venice.

These are all Pen and wash sketches which I completed using my Rotring drawing pen and Pentel water brush..

Doge's palace and Campanile
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Venice canal with parked gondolas
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Canal, Venice
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Castelnaudary

2011-10-29T00:01:00.001-07:00

Castelnaudary has become a favourite painting location, with its beautiful stopping of point for canal barges( Castelnaudary Bassin) along the Canal Du Midi. Boats can moor up with electric hook ups available and the town of Castelnaudary with it's Cassoulet restaurants on hand. I have been there when the Diesel tanker showed up and the boats took turns to fill up their fuel tanks. A boat owner told me it was the cheapest fuel point between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

I painted this at home from a sketch I completed onsite. This is an image I have been working on a lot in 2011 and as yet I have not been fully satisfied with my attempt. I first created this work sitting under the bridge (click to see original outdoor effort) and looking back along a stretch of the canal beside the port office to the bridge in view

Castelnaudary
watercolour 40 x 29cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan kirk 2011

Porto

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

I completed these two watercolours from a photograph and sketch I completed on a visit to Porto last October. I have shown my second attempt first, I thought my first attempt lacked a little intensity in colour and tone, and the building on the left hand side was a little confusing.

Porto
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Langtom Prestige 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Porto
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Langtom Prestige 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lac St Ferreol

2011-10-23T02:36:00.000-07:00

We visited Lac St Ferreol with my last holiday group of teh year. We had a great warm sunny October day. There was not much activity on the lake and we had to use our imagination to add boats in our work in the morning and afternoon

Lac St Ferreol October morning
watercolour 22x27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 140gsm
Allan kirk 2011

Lac St Ferreol October afternoon
watercolour 36x19cm
Saunders Waterford rough 140gsm

Soual

2011-10-20T00:01:00.001-07:00

With my Monday art group we painted the bridge at Soual from a photo.

Soual
watercolour 22x27cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

When I was finished I noticed that I had dripped heavily on my photo with my water, but I liked the result.

Soual Photo
Allan Kirk 2011

Carcassonne

2011-10-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

Carcassonne has been a favourite destination for our holiday painting groups this year. Here are a couple of watercolour sketches I completed in September
.

Carcassonne
watercolour 36 x 15cm
Saunders Waterford 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Carcassonne
watercolour 22 x 28cm
Arches Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Carcassonne
watercolour 22 x 28cm
Arches Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Last Holiday Week of 2011

2011-10-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

The autumn colours were growing stronger for our October holiday week

Montgey Church and Chateau from the garden
watercolour 22x27cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan kirk 2011

Montgey Arch
Pen and wash
Allan kirk 2011

Pillar
Inktense watercolour pencil
Allan kirk 2011

Towards St Felix from Montgey

2011-10-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

I completed this watercolour from the church and chateau at Montgey, one sunny morning in June.

Towards St Felix from Montgey (SW France)
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

If you see a jumble, paint a jumble

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

We are in the middle of our last watercolour holiday week of the year, and it has been so sunny and warm this October. Here is my painting from St Felix

I followed John Yardley's advice "If you see a jumble, paint a jumble"

Window - St Felix
watercolour 22x27cm
Arches rough 140gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Julia

2011-10-04T22:12:00.000-07:00

St Julia is an old hilltop village just 4km from my home. It has beautiful old buildings and a medieval church with an interesting tower. The church tower is a wall that holds six bells

I painted this first watercolour at home using my outdoor watercolour sketch as source.

St Julia
watercolour 22x27cm
Arches rough 200gsm
Allan kirk 2011

The watercolour below was painted outdoors with my Monday art group, we found shade in front of the old cemetery.

St Julia
watercolour 22x27cm
Bockingford extra rough 200gsm
Allan kirk 2011

As usual I dont know which I prefer, probably my outdoor sketch, even with the spills in the sky, where I tried to remove big blobs of paint I spilled on it during the painting..

Montolieu Gorge

2011-10-01T00:01:00.001-07:00

Montolieu is a beautiful village hidden in the Black mountains around Carcassonne in SW France. I painted these watercolours from a sketch I completed from the end of the bridge at the village entrance and gorge.

Montolieu Gorge
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Montolieu Gorge
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Montolieu Gorge
Pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2008

Aguts church to Puylaurens in distance

2011-09-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

On a sunny Monday afternoon in September with my art group we painted the view from the shade of the water tower at Montgey. You can see for miles across the plains of the Lauragais to the Black Mountains and beyond. Warm Autumn colours are growing strong.

Aguts church to Puylaurens in distance
watercolour 17 x 36cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lac St Ferreol

2011-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lesley and I visited Lac St Ferreol with friends for a picnic lunch on a very hot September day (over 30 degrees). After lunch I painted this sketch. I painted quickly, but had trouble with the paint drying and I got a couple of cauliflowers. However, I really like this sketch, I so enjoy painting outdoors.

Lac St Ferreol
watercolour 28x 22cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

I produced this studio version from my sketch.

Lac St Ferreol
watercolour 28 x 22cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Beziers, SW France

2011-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lesley and I went to Beziers in SW France for the day. After lunch I managed this sketch from the square around the Cathedral. I painted this watercolour from my sketch in late August at home

Beziers, Place de la Revolution
watercolour 22 x 27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Beziers, Place de la Revolution
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk 2011

Puylaurens

2011-09-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

With my holiday group we visited Puylaurens in early Sept. Puylaurens is an old medieval Occitan village in SW France some 12km from our home.

In the morning we sat under the old walls and painted the panoramic view, finishing with our picnic under the walls..

Puylaurens - View across Lauragais
watercolour 19 x 37cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Back in my studio I had another go at this view using my outside watercolour as the source (along with my memory of the outside painting experience).

Puylaurens - View across Lauragais
watercolour 18 x 36cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

In the afternoon we went into the town to paint, I completed this pen and wash of an old house behind the church.

House - Puylaurens
Pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Montgey

2011-09-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

I completed these watercolours below from our garden and up at the Chateau at Montgey.

Montgey Chateau entrance (Sept 2011)
watercolour 21 x 27cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Montgey Chateau(September 2011)
watercolour 36 x 27cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Montgey Chateau (July)
watercolour 36 x 27cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

It was a really hot day in June when my Monday art group painted in the shade up by the Chateau in Montgey. Here is my attempt

Montgey Chateau entrance (July)
watercolour 21 x 27cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Towards Auvezines and the Black Mountains

2011-09-14T00:01:00.002-07:00

With my Monday art group on a hot sunny September day we went to a shaded spot in Montgey and painted the view towards Auvezines and the Black Mountains.

Towards Auvezines and the Black mountains from Montgey
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Castelnaudary - Canal Du Midi

2011-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

We had a very sunny week in September and with my holiday group I enjoyed a great days painting at the Canal Du Midi in Castelnaudary. In my painting the "Jane - Louise" barge in the foreground was from close to where we lived in Yorkshire in England. It was good to hear the Yorkshire accent as we chatted.

Canal Du Midi
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lac St Ferreol in August

2011-09-08T00:01:00.001-07:00

In August I took my holiday group to Lac St Ferreol on a hot sunny day. We painted from the dam underneath the shade of the trees. In the afternoon after a picnic with the lake so busy with tourists we painted from thew same place again, the view was very different and busy with holidaymakers sunbathing, swimming and boating.

View from the Dam at Lac St Ferreol (afternoon)
watercolour 35 x 17cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

View from the Dam at Lac St Ferreol ( early morning)
watercolour 22 x 27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

View from the Dam at Lac St Ferreol (morning)
watercolour 22 x 27cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Albi

2011-09-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

I painted thrsr watercolours from a sketch I made in Albi in 2008

Albi
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Albi
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Albi
Pen
Allan Kirk 2008

Carcassonne

2011-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

With my holiday group we visited Carcassonne in July. It was a cloudy, but sunny, day and I sat in the corner of a square at a cafe and produced this pen and wash, looking down the street towards the station..

Carcassonne, from a cafe in square
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

I produced this pen and wash, below, inside La Cite on a busy August day.

Carcassonne
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Albi, SW France

2011-08-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

We visited Albi with my son and his girlfriend, after lunch whilst they were sightseeing I sketched from just outside the Toulouse Lautrec museum.

Albi, Cathedral Square
Pen and wash
Allan kirk 2011

Back at home in my studio I produced this watercolour using my sketch as the source.

Albi, Cathedral Square
watercolour 36 x 27cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan kirk 2011

Lagrasse in the Aude, SW France

2011-08-26T02:03:00.000-07:00

With our friends we visited Lagrasse. Lagrasse is a beautiful old town in a valley of vineyards in SW France. I completed these four watercolour sketches from a photo Lesley took of the old bridge. I concentrated on light, not detail, and I tried to work quickly (I did not pre wet the paper). I am not yet satisfied, but I am pleased I tried to get light not details.

Lagrasse
watercolour 22x27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lagrasse
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lagrasse
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lagrasse
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Felix De Lauragais

2011-08-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

With my holiday group we visited St Felix in early August. This Chambre D'Hote is a favourite subject. In the afternoon when the sun shines directly on the house the light and shadows are fantastic.

The watercolour below was completed in my studio using my on site effort as the source. Of the two I can't decide on a preference.

Chambre D'Hote - St Felix
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

The watercolour below was completed on site on a hot sunny afternoon.

Chambre D'Hote - St Felix
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Composing a painting

2011-08-20T00:01:00.004-07:00

Often In my composition the most important elements are the mood, light and atmosphere; Squinting can help us see the important shapes and tones in a view. I have to like and be attracted to a subject. I think that if I do not like a subject then my painting will reflect this.

The key to a good composition is to simplify the scene in front of us and have one idea in mind (in the example below the lighthouse is the 'idea' or subject). With one idea it is easier to simplify the scene by removing unwanted elements and moving objects around to balance the view.

Find your focal point and do not worry if you have to change the view, remember it is a painting not a photograph. Imagine dividing your paper into thirds horizontally and vertically. Place the focal point of interest on one of the 'thirds' intersections, do not put your focal point in the centre.

In the picture above the focal point of interest is the Lighthouse, it is positioned at the bottom right intersection of 'thirds' and the horizon is around the bottom third, leaving a lot of sky. The strongest darks and lightest lights are found next to each other at the focal point

Composition Checklist

· Simplify and remove the complexity

· Have one dominant idea as your subject.

· In a landscape, place the horizon on one of the 'thirds'.

· Lead the eye through the picture to the focal point of interest.

· Place the focal point of interest in a good position (see above).

· Keep the eye in the picture (don't add objects that lead the eye to the edge of the work).

· Place greatest tonal range with strong contrasts at the focal point of interest.

· Keep the main shapes irregular and different to create interest and balance the picture.

Learning from the old masters

I am always happy to look through my books from the old masters of watercolour. Often I will sketch the composition. I learn so much from getting a better understanding of the way they composed their work.

The devils bridge, after gabriel the younger
Pen and wash tonal sketch 27 x 22cm
Allan Kirk 2011

san giorgio maggiore after turner
Pen and wash tonal sketch 27 x 22cm
Allan Kirk 2011

Blue Rigi after turner
Pen and wash tonal sketch 27 x 22cm
Allan Kirk 2011

Yellow rose

2011-08-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

My mother in law visited and our neighbour brought these flowers for her. I painted them twice, and completed a pen and wash sketch. Of my two paintings I prefer the first one below, I think it is softer than the other and this suits the subject.

Yellow Rose.
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Yellow Rose.
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Yellow Rose.
Pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Castelnaudary - Canal Du Midi

2011-08-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

With my holiday group we often spend a day at Caqstenaudary. It is a beautiful old southern French town on the Canal Du Midi. We painted, sketched and enjoyed a picnic in the sun.

the first painting below was completed in my studio from the outdoor sketch, as usual I am not sure which I prefer?

Casrelnaudary Bassin
watercolour 27 x 35cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Below is my outdoor work

Castelnaudary Bassin
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Castelnaudary Bassin
Pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Narbonne Plage - Sketches

2011-08-11T00:01:00.002-07:00

Lesley and I had a day out at the coast with two friends. I quickly sketched this in pen and ink whilst we sat on Narbonne plage and soaked up some sun between the clouds. From the pen and ink I produced this watercolour sketch.

Narbonne plage
watercolour 36 x 18cm
Bockingford extra rough
Allan Kirk 2011

Narbonne plage
Pen and wash tonal sketch 27 x 15cm
Allan Kirk 2011

Church at Peyrens

2011-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

This beautiful church is a prominent feature on the Revel to Castelnaudary road at Peyrens. In this version I really wanted an unresolved mood with lots of lost and found edges. I have created a version of this watercolour as a step by step exercise at stepbystepwatercolour,com

Church at Peyrens
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Felix De Lauragais

2011-08-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

I visited St Felix with my holiday group, the weather was poor and we painted from under the medieval Halle. I painted one of the beautiful old houses that surround the market square.

St Felix
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lac St Ferreol

2011-08-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

I painted this view of Lac St Ferreol with my Monday art group in July. It was very hot 30+, and we went under the trees at the Dam for cool and shade.

My outside work (shown here last uinder Read More)) suffered from the conditions, I used my colours too brightly, and the the paint dried too quickly and I lost the wet in wet look I wanted. I often do this outside on sunny days, even when I am in good shade. I completed the other watercolours in my studio using my outside sketch as source, and I am more satisfied with these.

View from the Dam at Lac St Ferreol
watercolour 35 x 17cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

The studio effort below is a little too dark

View from the Dam at Lac St Ferreol
watercolour 35 x 17cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

I was pleased with this studio effort below

View from the Dam at Lac St Ferreol
watercolour 37 x 18cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

My outside work

View from the Dam at Lac St Ferreol
watercolour 35 x 17cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Panaramic view from terrace

2011-07-28T00:01:00.001-07:00

! used photoshop to put together 5 photos to represent a 180 degree view from the terrace at our home. I took the photos early one morning in July as the sun came up and burnt the moisture and mist from the valley below. I printed my combined photos to use as source for the watercolours below.

I like this first work best, although I completed it last. I think I got better light and atmosphere into the work than I did in the other watercolour under READ MORE.

Tarnincolour Holidays, Sunrise from the terrace
watercolour 36 x 18cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Tarnincolour Holidays, view from the terrace
watercolour 36 x 18cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Tarnincolour Holidays, view from the terrace

Beziers

2011-07-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lesley and I went to Beziers in SW France for the day. After lunch I managed this sketch from the square around the Cathedral.

Beziers, Place de la Revolution
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Sunflowers and Salicaires in a vase

2011-07-22T00:01:00.001-07:00

I painted this watercolour with my Monday art group on the 4th July. although it was warm there were showers and I collected the sunflowers and the salicaires growing in theditches at the side of fields, and we worked indoors.

Sunflowers and Salicaires in a vase
watercolour 39 x 28 cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Window at St Felix

2011-07-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

The first watercolour was completed in the studio from a watercolour sketch I did at St Felix. I painted my outdoor sketch in the hot sun and really got my colours too strong and the paint dried too quickly, but I thought it was a good view so I tried again back in my studio, and I like the result.

Window at St Felix de Lauragais.
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

The painting below is my watercolour sketch painted outdoors in the hot sun. It is a lesson that you need shade in the sun you put colours on too strongly

Window at St Felix de Lauragais.
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Julia - Painters in the Street

2011-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

In July I entered the "Painting in the streets" competition in St Julia. I last entered in 2008 when I was lucky enough to win. I didn't win this year, but my paintings didn't deserve to and the winning watercolour was a beautiful study of a house in St Julia. It was a great day in the sun and I enjoyed meeting the other artists and visitors as well as the painting.

In my first painting I stood by the church and painted the square. I was not happy with the result (second below). In felt my drawing was good enough, but I did not get light and atmosphere into the work. when I got home I tried again and I was much happier with my attempt from home.

My studio effort

St Julia - Painters in the street
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

My painting in the street

I have not achieved light, only mud!

St Julia - Painters in the street
watercolour 27 x 21cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Felix

2011-07-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

I completed this watercolour in my studio, I used a pen and wash sketch as my source. I had completed the sketch in st Felix with my holiday group.I have created a pen and wash version this watercolour as a step by step exercise that can be found at stepbystepwatercolour,com

The old square at St Felix is historic and beautiful, and a coffee at the cafes on the corner is a relaxing way to spend half an hour.

Sybellas's cafe, St Felix
watercolour 22x27cm
Saunders Waterford rough 200gsm
Allan kirk 2011

Sybellas's cafe, St Felix
Pen and wash
Allan kirk 2011

Outside painting process

2011-07-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have created as post to show the way I work outdoors and then often complete the work again back in the studio. Even by my standards I worked this subject to death, completing one outdoors, I went on to paint three more watercolours in the studio.

The whole idea of this work was for my Monday art group to work on a view that had a lot of green and cloudy skies. We had completed an indoor session on mixing greens and working with a cloudy sky..

The first watercolour shown here was painted last in the studio on Saunders Waterford paper. I used the original paintings and sketches as the source for my work. I wondered how a different paper would work with the subject. Saunders Waterford paper is good for a softer approach than Bockingford.

Towards the Black Mountains from Poudis (SW France)
watercolour 36 x 17cm
Saunders Waterford Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

All my attempts including my initial outdoor sketches and watercolour are shown below

Towards the Black Mountains from Poudis (SW France)
watercolour 36 x 17cm
Saunders Waterford Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

The second watercolour was also completed at my studio afterwards. I felt my outside work was a little heavy.

Towards the Black Mountains from Poudis (SW France)
watercolour 36 x 17cm
Bockingford extra Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

I painted this watercolour below outdoors one beautiful day in June when there was some cloud cover, which provided an interesting sky.

Towards the Black Mountains from Poudis (SW France)
watercolour 36 x 16cm
Bockingford extra Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011
.

I used the line drawing below (4B pencil) to help me compose the work. The work is pretty much as I saw it, except that I have made the road turn back into the picture in the distant, in order to lead the eye back into the work

Towards the Black Mountains from Poudis (SW France)
Pencil
Allan Kirk 2011

With my tonal sketch I wanted to get an idea of the different tones with the trees in front of the mountains before I began my watercolour.
.

Towards the Black Mountains from Poudis (SW France)
pen and wash tonal sketch
Allan Kirk 2011

Medieval Pigpen at Soreze

2011-07-05T00:01:00.001-07:00

I painted this watercolour from the sketch below, which I completed in Soreze. There are a number of these old medieval pig pens visible as you wander round the narrow medieval streets of Soreze.

Pig pen in Soreze
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford Rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

I completed the sketch onsite sitting on my fishing stool

Pig pen in Soreze
Pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2011

Rome in 2006

2011-07-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

I was in my studio the other day and I found this watercolour from our holiday in Rome in 2006. I remember working on this, I thought I had lost it.

Rome 2006.
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Arches rough 600gsm
Allan Kirk 2006

First Sunflowers of the year

2011-06-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

We had a dull flat day with our holiday group and we decided to paint some sunflowers and poppies in the studio. The sunflower fields are not quite ready (June 20th), but a few rogue sunflowers of last year have already grown strong in uncultivated fields and along the roadside. I was able to find these sunflowers growing along the road near a group of poppies .

I used masking fluid to preserve the white paper under the petals of the sunflowers and poppies.

Sunflowers and Poppies
watercolour 24 x 19cm
Bockingford extra rough300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Cadaques

2011-06-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Cadaques on the coasrt of northern Spain has been a favourite place for painting since the 19th century. Salvador Dali had a house there. It is a beautiful coastal fishing village with lots of fishing boats and fish restaurants. I wanted to capture the mood and the sun in this watercolour.

Cadaques - Costa Brava - Northern Spain
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Felix

2011-06-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

With my holiday group we visited St Felix for a days outdoor watercolour painting. Often when I am not demonstrating or painting with my holiday groups I will sketch as It is easy for me to just leave a sketch in order to go and help my holiday guests. I can then return to a sketch and nothing is spoiled. With watercolour you are often at a crucial moment and cannot just drop everything for a few minutes.

The old square at St Felix is historic and beautiful, and a coffee at the cafes on the corner is a relaxing way to spend half an hour.

Sybellas's cafe, St Felix
Pen and wash
Allan kirk 2011

Homps Canal Du Midi

2011-06-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

I painted this from a pen drawing I completed on my cycling holiday. Again, I have tried painting it several times and not yet felt satisfied, this is my latest attempt. I have created a version of this watercolour as a step by step exercise at stepbystepwatercolour,com

Homps - Canal Du Midi
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lane in Yorkshire, UK

2011-06-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

I completed this watercolour from a photo I took in England around 2005. I painted without any drawing first as I wanted a soft and loose feel to the foliage.

Lane
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Le somail - Canal du midi

2011-06-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Le Somail on the canal du midi is a painting I first completed from a sketch I made whilst Lesley and I were on our cycling holdiay along the canal du midi. Le Somail is a beautiful crossing on the canal, between Carcassonne and Beziers. I like my sketch and pen and wash, but I have never been satisfied with my watercolour and I keep returning to the subject. Here are my latest attempts. A version of this watercolour is available as a step by step exercise at stepbystepwatercolour.com

Le Somail - Canal Du Midi
watercolour 37 x 15cm
Milford 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Le Somail - Canal Du Midi
watercolour 37 x 15cm
Milford 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Cloudy Skies and Green Fields

2011-06-12T00:01:00.001-07:00

With my Monday art group we worked on our "Greens" and "cloudy skies". We followed Fletcher Watson as I like his landscapes and the way he uses Winsor Blue, Winsor Yellow, and Burnt Sienna to mix his green colours.

Starting with some mixing exercises we ended by loosely copying a Fletcher Watson watercolour.

Cloudy skies.
watercolour 27 x 18cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Castelnaudary

2011-06-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

With my holiday group we spent Tuesday in the sunshine by the side of the canal du midi at Castelnaudary. In the morning we set ourselves the task of painting a watercolour in 90 minutes. In the afternoon we worked on watercolour or sketching. Here are my results.

Apartments in old building by canal in Castelnaudary
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Arches rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

By the side of the canal in Castelnaudary
Pen and wash
Allan Kirk 2011

St Felix - Chambre D'Hote

2011-06-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

St Felix is still a most popular location for our painting holiday guests. The old post office on the square (now a gallery/Chambre D'hote) is a beautiful subject for a small watercolour sketch.

In thuis painting I used masking fluid to preserve the white on the roses and I used a Stabilo Fineliner ink pen to put in the door number and Chambre D'hote lettering.

Cahambre D'Hote at St Felix
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Amancet in the foot of the Black Mountains SW France

2011-06-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

In our first full holiday of the season we spent a day at St Amancet, a beautiful old SW French village. We spent some time sketching in pen and wash before settling on a watercolour sketch. Here are my results

Door and window in St Amancet
Pen and wash tonal sketch
Allan Kirk 2011

It was a hot day and I struggled with my painting, below. I put too much dark paint in the shadows. I lifted some back in my studio. It made things better, but in the near future I will try a new painting of this again using the original here as my source.

St Amancet
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough
Allan Kirk 2011

Window in St Amancet
Pen and wash tonal sketch
Allan Kirk 2011

Statue on house side in St Amancet
Pen and wash tonal sketch
Allan Kirk 2011

Castelnaudary - Canal Du Midi

2011-05-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

It looked like rain in late march when my Monday art group met, so we worked in the studio and concentrated on a view of the Canal Du Midi Bassin in Castelnaudary.

Canal du midi Bassin, Castelnaudary
watercolour 35 x 12cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Orchid

2011-05-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

It was a rainy day late in march and I worked from my studio using an orchid as my source. I wanted a very light painting and I kept my washes weak until the final details. It is only when you paint the darks that the light shines.

Orchid
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Langton Prestige rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Kingsbridge Devon

2011-05-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

With my Monday art group we had to work inside (march 14) We worked from a photo and step by step of the estuary at Kingsbridge. We only used two colours so that we could concentrate upon tone.I used French Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna. I have created a version of this watercolour (that uses more colours)as a step by step exercise that can be found at stepbystepwatercolour,com

Kingsbridge Estuary
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

David and Janet's

2011-05-20T00:01:00.001-07:00

Our friends David and Janet are returning to England, and I have painted their house in France as a leaving present.

David & Janet's house.
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Langton Prestige 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Lighthouse - Whitley Bay

2011-05-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have painted this view several times, it is from a photo I took in 2001. In this attempt I concentrated on getting more colour in my work. I also wanted to try to get some seagulls in the painting. I have learned a lot about painting water from the work of Australian artists Joseph Zbukvic and David Taylor.

I used tissue to create the tops of clouds and masking fluid for the highlights of the house and lighthouse (including reflections)

Mary's mount at Whitley Bay
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Robin Hoods Bay

2011-05-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

Robin Hoods Bay is an old smugglers cove on the North East coast of England. I painted this from a photo I took one Sunday many years ago.

Robin Hoods Bay.
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Milford 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Door in Soreze

2011-05-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

It was raining in February when I painted this. With my Monday art group we painted this from a photo that Tamara brought in, her friend took the photo in Soreze. I used no masking fluid in the second watercolour, but I did rely heavily on masking fluid for the highlights in the first work.

Door in Soreze.
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Door in Soreze.
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Milford 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Staithes

2011-05-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Staithes is a charming smalll fishing village on the NE coast of England. In the 19th century Staithes became a magnet for artists. By 1900, a number gathered together to become known as the "Staithes Group of Artists". Today, english watercolour artist David Curtis produces a lot of work in Staithes, you can understand why he does as you wind your way down the cliff to this beautiful village at the side of the North Sea.

I remember one summer day as a very young child being on the beach when two teenage visitors tried to climb the cliff face without any equipment, they got stuck halfway up the cliff face and the fire brigade had to rescue them. It was a tense time for everyone on the beach seeing them clinging to the rock, unable to move down or up.

In this composition the boats are in an unusual place, they are normally kept in the creek, I placed them on this beach for the sake of the picture. Small fishing boats are definetly part of what Staithes is about.

Typical of me I painted this twice and then decided to paint it a third time as a step-by-step exercise. Unusually for me I think I prefer my last attempt (which is shown first), which I have created as a step by step watercolour exercsie at stepbystepwatercolour.com

Staithes NE coast of England
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Langton prestige rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Staithes NE coast of England
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Langton prestige rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Staithes NE coast of England
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Sketches from Venice

2011-05-04T00:01:00.001-07:00

I have posted two more sketches completed in Venice

The first view is of one of the many tributary canals that join the Grand Canal. It was fun walking around the narrow streets and crossing these small canals. I set my fishing stool up on one bridges to spend a good hour sketching in the sun. As I sketched the gondoliers touted for business, offering trips at 20 euros a head for approximately 30 minutes.

Venice Canal
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

On the same day we took a "Vaporetto" (like a bus, but it was a boat) and got off opposite the Doge's palace and St Marks Square. I sketched the distant buildings

Doge's palace and Campanile
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Venice

2011-04-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

I completed these watercolours from an old pen and wash sketch I had made of Venice. On our recent trip I was struck by the light and wanted to tackle this view with the light I found in March 2011.

Venice (just past Academia bridge)
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm

Allan Kirk 2011

Venice (just past Academia bridge)
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Saunders Waterford rough 300gsm

Allan Kirk 2011

Venice (just past Academia bridge)
Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk 2009

William Oliver and T Shotter Boys

2011-04-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

In St Felix de Lauragais in Sw France I found this hand coloured lithograph at a "Vide Grenier" (this translates as "empty your attic"in the UK we call it a "carboot sale"). It is a 19th century work showing the town of Foix at the foot of the Pyrenees in France.

I was attracted to the detailed drawing work (probably some form of engraving?). I found I learned a lot by attempting two versions, myself using Pen and Wash. In particular I was amazed at the composition; it seemed so perfect and balanced, with foreground, mid-ground and distance. I also admire greatly the clarity and detail of the pen work.

Town and Chateau of Foix, William Oliver. T Shotter Boys lith
Hand coloured lithograph

I Googled William Oliver and T Shotter Boys, they were artists working at the time in SW France. I don't really understand the collaboration, I think that perhaps Shotter Boys was the original artist and William Oliver hand coloured the lithograph, but I am uncertain.

I would be interested if anyone could help here. At the bottom right and left of the Lithograph are the following inscriptions

Below are my two sketches based on this Lithograph. I completed both quickly on 150gm acid free Daler Rowney cartridge paper.

Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk
In the pen and wash above I used a water soluble ink pen and applied watercolour using a brush

Pen and Wash
Allan Kirk
In the pen and wash above I used a non watersoluble ink pen and applied watercolour using a brush.

From my two sketches I can see how much the watersoluble pen dissolves and creates strong dark tones when you apply watercolour. I like both options for a quick sketch.

Sketches from Venice

2011-04-19T23:04:00.000-07:00

I have assembled a number of sketches I completed on our four day trip to Venice.

The first view is of the Grand Canal outside of the hotel we stayed in. Some mornings were very misty and the view sometimes totally obscured, and sometimes a mix of lost and found buildings and edges. On the first morning the view was clear and I sketched this before breakfast.

Grand Canal, Venice
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

We visited the fish market in the morning, and I sketched the main building, end of stalls, landing places and canal.

Fish market, Venice
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

One evening we ate at Zucca restaurant and on the following day I went back to sketch the bridge we crosses just outside the restaurant.

Near Zucca restaurant, Venice
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

I completed this sketch using Pitt drawing pens

Canal Bridge, Venice
Pitt drawing Pens 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

I completed this sketch using Pitt drawing pens, again at the fish market

Grand Canal, opposite Fish Market, Venice
Pitt drawing Pens 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Soual

2011-04-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Soual is a perfect place to paint on a really hot day, down by the river the trees provide a natural canopy and the views are stunning. I wanted to make the water still and not full of sharp reflections. I am pleased with my result here. I try to paint loose impressionist watercolour and I like lost and found edges. I resisted the temptation to define the tree trunks against the wall in shadow and hope that they are indicated.

Soual
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Milford 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Bridge on small canal in Venice

2011-04-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a watercolour sketch I completed at home from a drawing I did on our Venice trip.

Bridge on small canal in Venice
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford Not 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

I completed the sketch onsite sitting on my fishing stool

Bridge on small canal in Venice
Pen and ink (Faber Castel Drawing Pens)
Allan Kirk 2011

House in Soreze

2011-04-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Soreze is a beautiful ancient town with narrow medieval streets. With my art group we worked on a small house in sun. In my work I tried to get a feeling of sunlight and shade. In my mind I tried to see just the light and not any objects like windows, walls and doors. I try always to paint what I see not what I think (or not what my mind tells me is there). I have created a version of this watercolour as a step by step exercise that can be found at stepbystepwatercolour,com

House in Soreze
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Milford 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

St Felix De Lauragais in winter

2011-04-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

St Felix is a magical village with a unique place in the history of the Cathar religion. Prominent in medieval times in this old Occitan kingdom it was the place where the Cathar religion held its first official meeting. St Felix looks at its most mystical in winter when the Pyrenees, covered in snow, are clear in the background and the village dominates the countryside. I have created this watercolour as a step by step exercise that can be found at stepbystepwatercolour,com

St Felix De Lauragais
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Fabriano Artistico rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Venice

2011-04-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Lesley and I visited Venice at the end of March for four fays. It was a great break and I was able to draw and paint, and take a lot of photos. I worked for several hours everyday and over the coming months I will blog my sketches and watercolours. Here I an starting with my painting sketches (1completed in venice on location and the others from sketches and photos back at home). Venice is like no other place I have ever been.and of course the architecture and canals are stunning, but it was the light that I found most inspiring. I tried to bring the light into all my watercolours.

Grand Canal Venice - just past academia bridge
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Painted from quick sketch of gondola and photos. the way our boat came round the bend of the canal into the light was amazing.

Gandels step by step watercolour

2011-03-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

This beautiful chateau is between Montgey and Soreze. In this watercolour I wanted strong colour and strong contrasts.. After an initial first wash of sky, trees and grass I worked strong colours into the foliage on my second wash. I finished with a rigger and details on the house, foliage and large tree in the foreground. I have created this watercolour as a step by step exercise at stepbystepwatercolour,com

Chateau Gandels
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Sepia Pen and wash

2011-03-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

I completed this sketch on a cold November afternoon using my sepia watersoluble pen. It is looking from our garden up the hill, and it is a view I paint and draw very often. I know after this series of drawings that I much prefer my black watersoluble pen.

Montgey Chateau and church
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

I completed this sketch one cold morning fron inside our house looking out of the window towards the black mountains.

View towards the black mountains
Pen and wash 36 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Puylaurens market is held every Wednesday morning. It was another a cold November day when we visited and I was the only person sitting outside at the cafe. I did this to sketch the view (as quickly as I could). The Paella stall over the road looked very inviting.

Puylaurens Market
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Belwow is a typical barge from the Canal Du Midi

Canal Boat
Pen and wash 22 x 27cm
Allan Kirk

Moulin - St Felix de Lauragais

2011-03-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have created this watercolour from a photograph I took in St Felix de Lauragais this summer. I wanted a strong contrast in light between the hill and the background.The green in the bushes is a mix of (Windsor Blue and Winsor Yellow), and (Winsor Blue and Burnt Umber) with a little Winsor Violet mixed on the paper.

Moulin - St Felix de Lauragais
watercolour 36x27cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk

Costa Brava

2011-03-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

The north east coast of Spain is a beautiful rugged coastline. I painted this from a photo I took way back in 2001. now that I live in the south of France I am trying to capture heat and sunlight in my paintings. It is so true that "you get the sun when you paint the darks".

Costa Brava
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Langton Prestige rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

Black Mountains

2011-03-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Our house in under the cypress tree sticking out from the trees at the front left. With my art group, on a sunny January day, we drove up the hill and set our easels out with a view over the Lauragais valley to the distant Black Mountains.

The first watercolour was completed on site. I tried to capture the weak colours of winter, and the little warmth in the foreground from the Burnt Umber and Raw Sienna fields.

View across the Lauragais to the Black Mountains
watercolour 27 x 36cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011

I completed the version below in my studio using my outdoor work as source material. I put the buzzards in because I need something strong higher up the painting, and they are a feature of the landscape in this area.

View across the Lauragais to the Black Mountains
watercolour 27 x 22cm
Bockingford extra rough 300gsm
Allan Kirk 2011