Wednesday 30 January 2008

EARLY SNOWDROPS IN NORFOLK


Its been a glorious sunny January, bright blue sky day today and I went for a walk by the river in my Norfolk village. Alongside were thousands of snowdrops and yellow aconites in full bloom dotted amonst the trees and grass. I cant believe I went out on such a day without my sketchbook or my camera, so to remind you (and me) of how delecate these blooms are I have posted an image of a painting I did a couple of winter's ago after digging out some roots with a plastic spoon I had with a yoghurt in the car when I was driving through Lincolnshire!!! It was getting dark and I had to have the headlights on to see what I as doing. I only took a small handful to keep fresh for me to paint the following day. I put them in a small vase on my dressing table. I was pleased with the lace!

9 comments:

Robert A Vollrath said...

The story with the painting made this a nice post. All your still life paintings are beautiful.

Teri said...

This is so beautiful. I love the softness of it and the reflection.

Claudia said...

This is a very lovely painting and a nice story, too!

E-J said...

Lovely - very simply done (no idea how that's achieved in watercolour as my own are so heavy-handed!)

I saw snowdrops at the weekend too. Spring's almost here, isn't it? :)

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thanks folks for comments. Checked out blogs of new visitors - loved your flowers Claudia - left message. Your hidden messages intrigued me Teri.

Emma - I think it is the gentleness of watercolours that appeal to people but have always tried to get students to add more darks - but then even they can be added subtley.... but all I keep hearing myself say is 'it is called WATER colour' so use very little pigment. Anyway it lasts longer. Not like the way I throw my acrylics around in great big heaps of texture which cost me a fortune. !!. I'll pop over and see what you have been up to lately.

"JeanneG" said...

Very nice and delicate. Lovely soft colors. I too am heavy handed with watercolors. I strive to have a delicate hand with them.

laura said...

Hi Joan. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. I came to return the favor, and found this loevly, soft snowdrop painting--the light is so diffuse and the color very subtle. You handled the doily beautifully! I continue to try doilies and lace but usually overdo it!
I like your life drawing work too.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Jean and Laura - cant understand why this particular post of the snowdrops has created so much response. I thought it was very ordinary. .. but lovely to have your comments and to know theres someone out there and Im not bashing out my keyboard for nothing in my artroom while my husband is watching football. Ive decided I'll try to have an hour each evening cos its fun contacting you all and seeing all your new works. I usually post a new peice mid/late afternoon but no time to jump around all the blogs and write to you then. Happy painting.

Claudia said...

Hello Joan,
thank you for your comment on my blog! - Yes, we do get snopdrops in Germany, too - and I love them!