tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54417205743864942672024-03-13T06:56:44.395-07:00Travels with my ArtA celebration of my passion for painting and drawing at home and abroad.Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-90941162807626603062013-04-07T08:10:00.001-07:002013-04-07T08:18:14.647-07:00Creating a Japanese album sketchbook<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crlXAYIrZkA/UWB7FH9pqrI/AAAAAAAAAbI/M8ERnD7cQVs/s400/Japanese+album063.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Creating a what? A Japanese album is sometimes known as an 'accordion' album, as the pages are joined zigzagging continuously throughout the book. This means that the whole album can be folded outwards to form one long strip of paper. Moleskine make them as small sketchbooks but I wanted to make my own for a very particular purpose. </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> As from this month I have been invited to be the Artist-in-Residence at the Theatre, Chipping Norton for a period of one year. Having held a solo exhibition of paintings there early last year, I am very excited at the prospect of a cultural partnership with such a lively and vibrant creative centre as the Chippy Theatre! I know that as a part of this experience I want to record regular drawings and notes in a sketchbook to form a 'diary' or journal over the coming months, but in what form? It occurred to me that if I made a sketchbook in the form of a Japanese album then at the end of the year it could be unfolded and displayed as a whole which would surely be very dramatic. (Theatre-dramatic-see what-I-did?) Awesome thought. But the Moleskine ones, lovely as they are, are too small. The answer - as our house has always doubled as a Blue Peter studio - make my own!</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First of all the cover - two pieces of 2mm thin scrap mdf board cut to 190mm squares (that's 7.5" in old money). Cut a square hole in each and cover them (as shown in the first photo) with cotton fabric cut out of the back of a shirt that doesn't fit any more. (Also it's just the right colour for the Theatre!)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tivbtpVUtc/UWB_cqb4WTI/AAAAAAAAAbY/K_WJWew2NM4/s1600/Covering+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tivbtpVUtc/UWB_cqb4WTI/AAAAAAAAAbY/K_WJWew2NM4/s400/Covering+cover.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjEuqGQdtC8/UWF7HwbKLfI/AAAAAAAAAbo/LH7bh8zwPtE/s1600/P1040469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjEuqGQdtC8/UWF7HwbKLfI/AAAAAAAAAbo/LH7bh8zwPtE/s400/P1040469.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next produce two little pen and watercolour drawings to insert into the windows on the front and back cover! In this case a view of the Theatre on the front, and a view of the Chequers pub next door for the back. I also cut some clear cellophane film and stuck that in first, to keep the sketches from getting grubby over time.</span> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLXaZ4au74U/UWF-eDmbqwI/AAAAAAAAAbw/eBy3vVWleTE/s1600/P1040471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NLXaZ4au74U/UWF-eDmbqwI/AAAAAAAAAbw/eBy3vVWleTE/s400/P1040471.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I backed the pictures with white card, and then covered the inside covers with local maps including Chipping Norton and Oxford. Fear not! I didn't cut up Ordinance Survey maps, just used an old cheap motoring atlas such as you can buy from garages. TIP - a double-sided tape gun is brilliant for making stuff like this, but if you don't have one, you can get double sided tape from craft suppliers and art shops. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDTRDccyxLo/UWGAs-MHg3I/AAAAAAAAAcE/HXYe-R5_1y8/s1600/P1040473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDTRDccyxLo/UWGAs-MHg3I/AAAAAAAAAcE/HXYe-R5_1y8/s400/P1040473.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is where I made my first purchase of the project - a visit to Hobbycraft (Oxford) en route to taking Henry back to Uni in Salisbury! I bought 4 sheets of A1 size cartridge paper, and I calculated that each sheet would give me 15 pages in my sketchbook if I cut them into 160mm wide strips and scored and folded them carefully. I used a long metal ruler and tore them along the top edge to give a 'character' edge to each page. It's not a difficult operation but should be done carefully for a nice result. The paper was medium weight - 120gsm, heavy enough to take a light watercolour wash, but not as clumsy and thick as card would be, I joined the folded strips together and then taped each end on to the cover, No secrets here, but again the more care you take the better. One small indulgence was a roll of self-adhesive tape in spotted dark green, but it makes the spine and the inside cover sooo nice! Total cost from Hobbycraft £1.10 per sheet of paper, £2.99 for the roll of tape (Lots left over) total spend £7.39.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N54kcnNsFIs/UWGD9Ibdi1I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/BqMGSLXUg08/s1600/P1040476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N54kcnNsFIs/UWGD9Ibdi1I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/BqMGSLXUg08/s640/P1040476.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMuiqVcCewo/UWGEZp7flKI/AAAAAAAAAcY/vNAesmcAADw/s1600/P1040477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMuiqVcCewo/UWGEZp7flKI/AAAAAAAAAcY/vNAesmcAADw/s640/P1040477.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9w__MUM0N4/UWGFJUZkiVI/AAAAAAAAAck/7UdW0HfcdhM/s1600/P1040475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9w__MUM0N4/UWGFJUZkiVI/AAAAAAAAAck/7UdW0HfcdhM/s640/P1040475.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you may have noticed I have only put in some of pages, about 14 to start with. I shall add in more as need as the book fills up, and if it gets too full I suppose I can take some out from the beginning temporarily - it's mine and it's home-made so I can do what I like with it! So there. And finally, to keep the album from falling open and all the pages fanning open all over the floor I need some sort of enclosure. This stumped me for a while, and then I thought - shirt buttons! Better still cut the cuff off from one of the sleeves and use that. Just tuck the ends into the windows with a bit of glue stuffed in and Bob's your uncle. Works better than it should considering what a wild idea it was.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hUKyvn__lw/UWGG2mO-1qI/AAAAAAAAAco/V-GlkJ0g3l8/s1600/P1040478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hUKyvn__lw/UWGG2mO-1qI/AAAAAAAAAco/V-GlkJ0g3l8/s320/P1040478.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jk_Gudplj0g/UWGILSNzNzI/AAAAAAAAAc8/mntC4aFPRY4/s1600/P1040479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jk_Gudplj0g/UWGILSNzNzI/AAAAAAAAAc8/mntC4aFPRY4/s640/P1040479.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No excuses now - just one thing to do, get my drawing stuff, go down to the Theatre and make a start! Watch this space.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you know Chipping Norton Theatre? It's a wonderful place for a night out, whether it's for a play, film, stand-up, pantomime, drama workshops, or even just a coffee and visit an exhibition on in it's Gallery. </span><a href="http://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.chippingnortontheatre.com</span></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com1Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7, UK51.943544 -1.542189000000007651.923966 -1.5825295000000077 51.963122000000006 -1.5018485000000075tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-53633052145968110232012-08-10T04:55:00.000-07:002012-08-10T04:56:19.696-07:00"Radcliffe Camera and St. Mary's, Oxford"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZaTFjYjDn8/UCTxyz6EC2I/AAAAAAAAAYA/ZvPN5ZVqj-k/s1600/Radcliffe+Camera+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZaTFjYjDn8/UCTxyz6EC2I/AAAAAAAAAYA/ZvPN5ZVqj-k/s640/Radcliffe+Camera+comp.jpg" width="459" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The Radcliffe Camera in Oxford is an irresistible subject for me. One of the finest buildings in the world, and a challenging perspective to attempt freehand. This angle is from Catte Street, and shows the church of St Mary the Virgin behind. I have tried to leave the painting understated and in doing so have deliberately lost the ground level so that the buildings float upwards like castles in the air. Perhaps that's how I see them, I'm always looking upwards in Oxford, away from the human activities at ground level towards the timeless and abstract.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ksGfxb_wwM/UCTx-FR3LHI/AAAAAAAAAYI/vqqs2orQ8p4/s1600/Rad+Cam+moleskin100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ksGfxb_wwM/UCTx-FR3LHI/AAAAAAAAAYI/vqqs2orQ8p4/s320/Rad+Cam+moleskin100.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As always I did a little 'atmospheric' sketch in my small pocket moleskin, as I wanted to explore the colours I might use, and perhaps as importantly, to fire myself up with a mini-preview of my own work! I still like my little exploratory sketches as much as anything.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-76741000761213906192012-07-23T03:06:00.000-07:002012-08-07T11:51:24.685-07:00House Painting of the Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2jH0jIOviw/UA0esW-YhMI/AAAAAAAAAXo/ePGe0N3udZM/s1600/Fox+Cottage+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2jH0jIOviw/UA0esW-YhMI/AAAAAAAAAXo/ePGe0N3udZM/s400/Fox+Cottage+comp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This was a commissioned painting of a nice Cotswold Cottage. It is very pretty but presented a few problems, firstly of the plain gravel frontage which was saved by the little wall and small tree in the foreground which also gave depth to an otherwise flat frontage. The other tricky aspect was the repeating windows across the facade, which were broken up by emphasising the reflections of trees behind the viewer. Showing the sunshine from the left drew shadows across which helped again give depth, and the flowering shrubs and climbers all softened the edges. By request the neighbouring property was faded out which helped remove the harsh roof ridge to the right. The owner was pleased with the result! But it shows that it can demand interpretation to make a photo of a property into a 'painting.'<br />
<br />
Below is the 'rough' compositional sketch that I almost always provide before doing the actual painting. This is to try to sort out all the above points and make my mistakes in the thumbnail sketch, not the finished artwork!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXqs7QY2lYA/UA0hio8hzaI/AAAAAAAAAX0/cc9CeACmk2Y/s1600/Rough+sketch+Fox+Cottage+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXqs7QY2lYA/UA0hio8hzaI/AAAAAAAAAX0/cc9CeACmk2Y/s400/Rough+sketch+Fox+Cottage+cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
To see more house portraits visit my website via the link below:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d41_House_Portraits.html">http://fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d41_House_Portraits.html</a>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-54630169326934910102012-06-26T03:11:00.000-07:002012-08-07T11:48:30.236-07:00"After the Rain, St. Mark's Square Venice"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1kQxu7wIKs/T-l2StKaqYI/AAAAAAAAAXc/RFHBXXZGNsI/s1600/St.Mark's+Square+After+the+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1kQxu7wIKs/T-l2StKaqYI/AAAAAAAAAXc/RFHBXXZGNsI/s400/St.Mark's+Square+After+the+Rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I promised myself this year that I would submit some paintings into public exhibitions, not just my own. This was partly to make myself try to paint to a higher standard, or at least try harder! So I painted this view of St.Mark's Square and entered it for the RBSA (Royal Birmingham Society of Artists) Open Summer Exhibition. To my surprise and delight it was accepted!<br />
But why this view? It is one I have tackled before on several occasions, but this interpretation is to capture a flash of sunlight after rain, hence some reflections and a rather abstract feeling of wetness. The figures are shadowy and vague, all is suggested but I am trying to be less literal than usual and concentrate on atmosphere through half-closed eyes. I was quite pleased with the painting. My test before submitting to open exhibitions is "Does it excite me? Have I succeeded technically? Does it tell a story?" If these answers are positive then I have fulfilled my brief. So even if it is not accepted I have pushed myself forwards which is worthwhile. The RBSA exhibition is now over, but I will try others this year.Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-67354544385594576932012-06-15T09:22:00.000-07:002012-08-07T11:52:37.912-07:00Painting of the Week! Campo San Barnaba, Venice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79FdBVJzqCI/T9tYVKuqCZI/AAAAAAAAAXE/OiShfTmymD8/s1600/Campo+San+Barnaba+Venice+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79FdBVJzqCI/T9tYVKuqCZI/AAAAAAAAAXE/OiShfTmymD8/s640/Campo+San+Barnaba+Venice+smaller.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I wanted to paint something really bright and sunny again this week as our summer is a long time coming. So I've revisited an old favourite haunt in Venice, the square dominated by the Church of Saint Barnabas, which has found fame in popular culture by being used in the film Indiana Jones and the SomethingorOther, you know, the one with Sean Connery as his Dad. Anyway I found enough photos and drawings from old sketchbooks to put this picture together. But before I start I always do a 'compositional' pencil sketch to think a few things out in advance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iB05zZBEtaE/T9tXfcqksII/AAAAAAAAAWo/vRejmRH_1Nw/s1600/San+Barnaba+sketch075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iB05zZBEtaE/T9tXfcqksII/AAAAAAAAAWo/vRejmRH_1Nw/s400/San+Barnaba+sketch075.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In this case it helped me sort out the sunshine and shadows and where to perhaps put figures and maybe a gondola on the canal. After finishing the sketch I liked the rythm of the composition, even though the gondolier is too big. (The pencil sketch is only about 4" wide).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OxLNizNktzc/T9tcTgEbppI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/BeBAqC6kXug/s1600/Masking+fluid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OxLNizNktzc/T9tcTgEbppI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/BeBAqC6kXug/s320/Masking+fluid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Unusually I have used masking fluid, a sort of rubber solution, to keep the paint off the white facade of the church whilst doing a nice loose wash of blue across the sky.<br />
<br />
Masking tends to give a crisp edge which in this case helps the atmosphere in the painting which is clear and bright.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CxUfCLji_Q/T9tXzYkpziI/AAAAAAAAAW4/8hmboFrFd8c/s1600/San+Barnaba+progress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7CxUfCLji_Q/T9tXzYkpziI/AAAAAAAAAW4/8hmboFrFd8c/s400/San+Barnaba+progress+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I started by painting the (slightly leaning) campanile to give me a benchmark of tone which which to compare the strength of tones and shadows to come. Then I continued area by area ensuring the shadows were related in colour and strength, all the time bearing in mind the feeling I was after of midday light in Venice at this time of year which is SUNGLASSES BRIGHT but don't we love it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VuP0sSn_7w/T9tXIbPwWtI/AAAAAAAAAWg/_BKPK5cvFq4/s1600/Chris+holding+Venice+Painting+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VuP0sSn_7w/T9tXIbPwWtI/AAAAAAAAAWg/_BKPK5cvFq4/s400/Chris+holding+Venice+Painting+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And here I am having just cut a rather indulgent mount with a small gold fillet inserted within. But Venice is indulgent and this painting is one that may make you hum 'Just one Cornetto' afterwards.<br />
<br />
Am I pleased with it? Well perhaps the drawing and some of the figures are rather 'static', but then the atmosphere is supposed to be that time of day where you just feel like wandering slowly and maybe stopping for a cold beer under a cafe umbrella and watching the world go by. So it gives me back the feeling I wanted and that's the most important thing for me.Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-13956340734602172112012-06-01T05:19:00.000-07:002012-06-01T05:19:45.092-07:00Painting Workshop Days at Chedworth Roman Villa<strong><span style="color: red;">Sat 14th July & Sat 18th August 2012 10.00am – 5.00pm</span></strong><br />
<br />
Would you like a relaxing day in the countryside brushing up your painting and drawing skills? Then why not come along to our painting workshop days at the newly refurbished National Trust CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA ……in the heart of the Cotswolds!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GTj09nTNBSc/T8ixfnWz4DI/AAAAAAAAAWU/VpYLe7yeFR8/s400/villa+painting.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">£60 per Day or £110 for Both! </span></strong>Price includes entrance to the museum and grounds, individual help from tutors Chris & David, morning coffee and a light lunch. <br />
<br />
For more information call 01608 730666 or follow this link: <a href="file:///p://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d72_watercolour-painting-workshop-days.html" target="_blank"><strong>Painting Workshop Days</strong></a><br />
<br />
Find out more about <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa/" target="_blank">Chedworth Roman Villa</a>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-43887602276588217352012-05-28T11:06:00.000-07:002012-05-29T09:49:29.900-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Fishing
Boats at St. Ives, Cornwall</span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OcPN8_z6-nA/T8O8aO6knEI/AAAAAAAACqk/kuraTdOcM7I/s1600/Fishing+Boats+at+St+Ives+Harbour+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OcPN8_z6-nA/T8O8aO6knEI/AAAAAAAACqk/kuraTdOcM7I/s400/Fishing+Boats+at+St+Ives+Harbour+comp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With all
the beautiful sunny weather this week I just wanted to paint something really
sunny and summery. Looking through an old sketch book I found a pen and ink
drawing of some boats from when we were on holiday as a family in Cornwall in
August 1998. I had never got around to producing a painting from it despite
also keeping a reference photo, but here we are 14 years on and I finally found
the moment!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4Jydp4tk8A/T8O82NCEUxI/AAAAAAAACqs/6pgtT_Ry8ss/s1600/Fishing+boats+progress+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4Jydp4tk8A/T8O82NCEUxI/AAAAAAAACqs/6pgtT_Ry8ss/s400/Fishing+boats+progress+002.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"> I often
like to paint from a combination of sketches done on the spot, and reference
photos. The rest is interpretation. So what was my ‘take’ on the picture? Well,
I wanted it to be as sunny and bright as possible. The way to do this in
painting is not only to make the shadows dark and often hard-edged but also to make
the shadow colourful, ie blue and mauve rather than grey or brown. Also bring
out the bright colours big time on those red and yellow balloon thingies with
shine on, and don’t touch the white, just leave as blank paper. I’m pleased
with the result as summer has been a long time coming and may disappear again
in another day or two, so I feel as though I’ve spent the day back in St. Ives!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here's a link to the painting on my website: <a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d25_Watercolour_Paintings.html" target="_blank">Fishing Boats at St Ives in Watercolour</a></div>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-74495011627292567912012-05-11T08:45:00.001-07:002012-05-11T08:48:58.805-07:00Volunteer Taster Evening at Chedworth Roman Villa: Wednesday 6 June 18:30-19:30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgGS0H5vrBA/T60ySPuFCFI/AAAAAAAAAWI/T8VnVXEJVSc/s1600/Chedworth-villa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mgGS0H5vrBA/T60ySPuFCFI/AAAAAAAAAWI/T8VnVXEJVSc/s320/Chedworth-villa.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
Due to a major renovation project at the National Trust’s oldest property, Chedworth Roman Villa in the Cotswolds are now looking to recruit for a range of newly created volunteer posts from site guide, to conservation and visitor services. <br />
<br />
If you have a passion for heritage, gardening or just working with people and would like to join a diverse team of volunteer staff here then come to our open evening on Wednesday 6 June from 18:30 – 19:30. <br />
<br />
You will get the unique opportunity to have a tour of our site from our Curator, Rupert Goulding, as well as chat to other volunteers already employed at the site whilst enjoying some treats from our newly built café. <br />
<br />
We hope to see you here in June. <br />
<br />
If you have any questions or would like to register your interest in volunteering for the National Trust then call David Callaghan, Volunteer and Community Officer on 01242 890256 <br />
<br />
<b>Chedworth Roman Villa<br />Yanworth<br />Gloucestershire<br />GL54 3LJ</b><br />
<br />
<b>See the new <a href="http://travelswithmyart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/chedworth-roman-villa-unusual.html">Mural at Chedworth Roman Villa</a> </b>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-18944245262290028732012-04-19T06:50:00.000-07:002012-04-19T06:50:27.464-07:00Nearly finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIaCX16ol-8/T5AKwvHfcZI/AAAAAAAAAUw/qEK9R0ke7Sc/s1600/Shard+nearly+finished+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VIaCX16ol-8/T5AKwvHfcZI/AAAAAAAAAUw/qEK9R0ke7Sc/s400/Shard+nearly+finished+crop.jpg" width="275px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Shard nearly finished, April 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes the painting is nearly finished, but it was the subject I was referring to, known as The Shard.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is the most exciting architectural accomplishment of the decade in the City of London, and now the tallest building in Europe. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was very struck by the photos I'd seen of its construction recently and couldn't resist depicting it just as it's almost completed. Who would be the crane driver up there? I'm not even good up stepladders, it makes me ill to think of it. But the sight of the crane is so dramatic and the image fills me with wonder and questions. Once it's finished how do they then get the crane down again? At the moment it looks as though it's nailed to the side of the skyscraper. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJKtE3RwuYU/T5ATfbNSW_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/zzQH3ZKQRQw/s1600/Shard+nearly+finished+crop+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJKtE3RwuYU/T5ATfbNSW_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/zzQH3ZKQRQw/s320/Shard+nearly+finished+crop+2.jpg" width="277px" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fortunately I had other things to worry about, like how to paint it? Well, it's watercolour on smooth Arches watercolour paper, which produces that very silky look to the clouds at the bottom. If you look at the close-up image below you will see that I started by drawing the crane in with a fine masking fluid dispenser in a freehand sort of way, and then </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">washed in the sky and building colour over the top. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">When all was dry I rubbed off the masking fluid to </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">leave the crane white on the page.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I deliberately painted in the rest of the building with </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">nothing smaller than a number 8 sable and quite </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">freehand to (hopefully) stop it from being a fussy and </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">tight architectural </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">illustration. The colours are a bit </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">'London grey' but it's saved to my mind by the red </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">on the crane and the building details. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Love it or loathe it (the painting as well as the Shard) </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">it is truly a 'contemporary' view, from earlier this month </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">and the City of London's leviathan will soon be </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">complete.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-43326776806117276702012-03-28T07:11:00.001-07:002012-05-29T09:54:14.369-07:00CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA – an unusual commission.When a letter came through my door last Autumn inviting me to consider painting a wall in one of the most important Roman Villas in the country I was somewhat taken aback. What did I know about Roman Wall Painting? <br />
A major transformation project has been carried out at the Chedworth Roman Villa by the National Trust during the winter and as a part of the refurbishments a purpose built educational facility has been added on behind the café area. This will be known as the ‘Salway’ room and will provide schools and community groups with a dedicated and inspiring area in which to explore Roman life and culture at the Villa. It is having a recreation of a Roman Kitchen at one end, and an ‘eye-mat’ is being fitted on the floor digitally recreating some of the mosaics from the dining-room. That just leaves the walls and that’s where I came in. <br />
<br />
It was with some trepidation that I agreed to meet up with eminent Roman historian Professor Peter Salway and Dr. Rupert Goulding (National Trust curator at the Sherborne Park Estate), both consultants to the improvements on the site, along with Jane Lewis, the learning officer at the Villa. I had already bought a wonderful book I’d found on the internet ‘The Splendor of Roman Wall Painting’ by Umberto Pappalardo so I had done some homework, but the meeting was a steep learning curve. However they were all very encouraging and the exchange of ideas was stimulating, not to say a bit mind-boggling! I knew at this point that I had my work cut out. <br />
<br />
Examples of actual Roman wall painting:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFi2wjAzaI8/T3MTu4xcayI/AAAAAAAAASg/5mwwbFk-Fiw/s1600/mural-inspirations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFi2wjAzaI8/T3MTu4xcayI/AAAAAAAAASg/5mwwbFk-Fiw/s1600/mural-inspirations.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Unlike my preconceptions the Romans loved bright colour and bling. Never mind less is more, they loved reds and golds, intricate borders, mixtures of styles, fake marbled panels, friezes and painted scenes from ceiling to floor. I could see the styles and colour schemes in the houses of Pompeii from my book, but how was I to translate these as relevant to Chedworth, and how to do it in the time allotted?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy7Xo1X0kLY/T3MWrZg3ZLI/AAAAAAAAASo/j7htMZfpTLg/s1600/blank-walls-chedworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy7Xo1X0kLY/T3MWrZg3ZLI/AAAAAAAAASo/j7htMZfpTLg/s1600/blank-walls-chedworth.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When I arrived the room had no doors windows or heating, but the wall was as shown above, divided into three by two timber supports. After consultation we decided to have three central panels surrounded by borders, edged by columns, a dado rail below and a frieze along the top. The left hand panel would depict a hunter returning with his catch, the central panel would show the Chi-rho, a Christian symbol found at the Villa and the right hand panel would be a painting of the Villa itself. My mock-up drawing of it was as follows:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PK93rERqQdU/T3MXALWUBEI/AAAAAAAAASw/IuzG_LDRxaQ/s1600/mural-mockup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PK93rERqQdU/T3MXALWUBEI/AAAAAAAAASw/IuzG_LDRxaQ/s1600/mural-mockup.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj91yDJSCoY/T3MXQFrJYyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/_bH_RTy-vFw/s1600/paint-pots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj91yDJSCoY/T3MXQFrJYyI/AAAAAAAAAS4/_bH_RTy-vFw/s1600/paint-pots.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Painting Workshop Days at the Villa during July & August...<a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d72_watercolour-painting-workshop-days.html" target="_blank">http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d72_watercolour-painting-workshop-days.html</a>ind out more!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once I had bought some tester pots of Farrow and Ball paints and had done some experimenting on the walls of my studio, I began the more straightforward task of measuring up, masking off and blocking out the areas of colour on the wall. At least it should have been straightforward. Due to technical problems with the building work the doors and windows failed to arrive at the room during the week I had allotted to making ‘a good start’. Arriving on the first day the temperature outside was minus 4 degrees! Not much warmer inside I nevertheless drew out the initial designs on the walls but coming back the next morning some of my paints were frozen solid! So I had to adjourn for 10 days or so, during which time I decided to paint the inner panels in my studio on 4mm mdf to save time and hopefully get a better result.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The hunter panel was inspired by a small stone carving which can be seen in the Villa’s museum of artefacts showing a hunter-god with a hare, dog and stag. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkhAxGY4Z7I/T3MYFmVeKUI/AAAAAAAAATI/1CxXCWGIRus/s1600/hunterpanel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkhAxGY4Z7I/T3MYFmVeKUI/AAAAAAAAATI/1CxXCWGIRus/s1600/hunterpanel.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He also features on part of the dining-room mosaic clutching the hare. I worked up my sketch showing the hunter wearing a hooded cloak or ‘Byruss Britannicus’ and a blue tunic with embroidered stripes or ‘roundels’, striped leggings and simple shoes. Also some Roman snails as they liked filling up empty spaces in their pictures! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x65zcQzuvxI/T3MYYdMdp7I/AAAAAAAAATQ/dBYaUfCxU58/s1600/central-panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x65zcQzuvxI/T3MYYdMdp7I/AAAAAAAAATQ/dBYaUfCxU58/s1600/central-panel.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The central panel depicts the principal Christian symbol in use at the time of the Villa, the Chi-rho incorporating the two letters X and P, the first two letters of the word ‘Christ’ in Greek. My initial sketch for the panel also shows other symbols around including the fish, peacock, pomegranate, dove and two-handled urn. Along with the laurel wreath these are all interpretive symbols, against a background of a garden setting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySTJogGwqHk/T3MYpuB_pZI/AAAAAAAAATY/4vNdxs_f49k/s1600/Chi-ro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySTJogGwqHk/T3MYpuB_pZI/AAAAAAAAATY/4vNdxs_f49k/s1600/Chi-ro.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The finished Chi-Rho panel with a distinctly Roman border, taken from one of the mosaics.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQpxXveai7Q/T3MYzDgYzgI/AAAAAAAAATg/ZnaN8yBhfOg/s1600/finished-chi-ro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQpxXveai7Q/T3MYzDgYzgI/AAAAAAAAATg/ZnaN8yBhfOg/s1600/finished-chi-ro.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The third panel depicting the Villa as it may have looked in c.360 AD was more or less copied from the publicity painting supplied by the National Trust as I had no other reference from which to work. I have simplified it rather and just shown a small hunting party making their way home into the Villa.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8FRkIBI8V4/T3MZILfYKzI/AAAAAAAAATo/uHxZQazfPEA/s1600/roman-villa-painting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8FRkIBI8V4/T3MZILfYKzI/AAAAAAAAATo/uHxZQazfPEA/s1600/roman-villa-painting.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But then back to the room itself, and when the doors and windows were fitted and the room was finally warm I had the task of painting all the rest of the wall. I got through an awful lot of masking tape to achieve the clean edges of the borders, although I deliberately painted some of them freehand to give the design some ‘liveliness’ here and there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLCqzY9v39Y/T3MZRu6bToI/AAAAAAAAATw/8_Ws3slW7sU/s1600/chris-paintinng-panels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLCqzY9v39Y/T3MZRu6bToI/AAAAAAAAATw/8_Ws3slW7sU/s1600/chris-paintinng-panels.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCHPe4zyDMQ/T3MZ0wi4RyI/AAAAAAAAAT4/5m60XbwLNIc/s1600/chris-panels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCHPe4zyDMQ/T3MZ0wi4RyI/AAAAAAAAAT4/5m60XbwLNIc/s1600/chris-panels.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The borders took the most time, particularly the ‘egg and dart’ one, the inspiration which came from a house in Pompeii, along with the colours surrounding it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ65JJuv228/T3MZ-5txWVI/AAAAAAAAAUA/RYjrPVSfedQ/s1600/border-example.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ65JJuv228/T3MZ-5txWVI/AAAAAAAAAUA/RYjrPVSfedQ/s1600/border-example.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVNyqynzoJM/T3MaSco8YGI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/17YNttZkAMg/s1600/border-paintings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVNyqynzoJM/T3MaSco8YGI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/17YNttZkAMg/s1600/border-paintings.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A natural sponge was useful in giving texture to the panels – I know that ‘marbling’ is a skill unto itself but economies of time dictated certain of my methods. I didn’t worry too much about the authenticity of the columns with their ‘Corinthian’ capitals as it was the spirit of the Roman wall painting I was trying to capture. The wall painters of ancient Rome and Pompeii mixed whatever styles they liked and often lapsed into complete fantasy with their columns!</div>
The ‘frieze’ saw me up a ladder painting with the barest of stencilling with a signwriter’s brush. The design was inspired by yet more of the mosaic in the Triclinium, or dining room of the villa. It was almost the last day of what by now had become something of marathon paint. I rather liked the colour which was ‘duck egg’.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_sfsnpmcCY/T3MbP1J2cnI/AAAAAAAAAUY/-4bQxCuNorU/s1600/top-panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_sfsnpmcCY/T3MbP1J2cnI/AAAAAAAAAUY/-4bQxCuNorU/s1600/top-panel.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I couldn’t resist signing the wall and dating it by ‘carving’ on the podium below the furthest column.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VOebzZH2Hw/T3MbdpSelUI/AAAAAAAAAUg/95axXEWQVdQ/s1600/signature.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VOebzZH2Hw/T3MbdpSelUI/AAAAAAAAAUg/95axXEWQVdQ/s1600/signature.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And thus I put the last brushstrokes to the ‘Salway Room’ of the Chedworth Roman Villa. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ribvrb536Q/T3MbnyXRwTI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Ko-uwU9z_oA/s1600/finished-mural.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ribvrb536Q/T3MbnyXRwTI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Ko-uwU9z_oA/s1600/finished-mural.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is a photo of me having just finished, but the eye-mat with its digital mosaic surface was not yet in place. If you wish to see Chedworth Roman Villa and its amazing mosaics, and have a coffee in its newly refurbished café, visit the website here for details:</div>
<a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa"><strong>www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa</strong></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The Salway Room is used by schools on weekday mornings but is available at other times. You can find more details on the website or by phoning Chedworth Roman Villa on 01242 890256 <br />
<br /><a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d72_watercolour-painting-workshop-days.html" target="_blank"><strong>Painting Workshop Days at the Villa during July & August...find out more!</strong></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3RoDIH0QtVM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339295799975896071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-14743705158697621312012-02-29T04:17:00.000-08:002012-02-29T04:17:18.688-08:00Travels With My Art - An Exhibition of Paintings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBMNsgMwcVI/T04VKwDvolI/AAAAAAAAARg/g5O3L16gzAg/s1600/theatre-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBMNsgMwcVI/T04VKwDvolI/AAAAAAAAARg/g5O3L16gzAg/s320/theatre-logo.gif" width="320" /></a></div><strong>Friday 2nd - Wednesday 21st March 2012 at </strong><a href="http://www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk/index.php?p=whatson&id=1322" target="_blank"><strong>Chipping Norton Theatre</strong></a><br />
<br />
11.00am - 3.00pm Weds, Fridays & Saturdays.<br />
Also Open during performances at the Theatre.<br />
<br />
One of an ongoing series of exhibitions of paintings in watercolours and oils based upon Chris’ travels at home and abroad with his sketchbooks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sU61eCjwZM/T04WL99PzEI/AAAAAAAAARo/Xrfuefqcon4/s1600/Venice+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sU61eCjwZM/T04WL99PzEI/AAAAAAAAARo/Xrfuefqcon4/s400/Venice+sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
After running Fothergills Gallery in Northleach for more than 15 years, Chris recently moved with wife and family to Great Rollright, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. Chris works from his studio full-time on various projects and commissions in addition to his creation of beautiful watercolour landscapes. Tutoring a painting holiday in Tuscany last September inspired an outpouring of new work as did earlier trips to Andalucia and Venice, the result of which can be seen at this latest exhibition.<br />
<br />
Exhibition visitors will also have a rare chance to see Chris’s much loved sketch books, full of enchanting illustrations and workbook notes. <br />
...........All paintings on view will be for sale.<br />
<br />
<strong>Tickets: FREE, no need to book - just turn up and enjoy!</strong> The Gallery is open during performances and films and Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-3pm<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk/index.php" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbl531YPE_g/T04Wi39Tc9I/AAAAAAAAARw/c5_xA2h9NlY/s1600/theatre-view.JPG" /></a><strong>Chipping Norton Theatre</strong> is at the heart of a lively cultural area bristling with talented artists, writers, creatives and performers. Chipping Norton itself offers a selection of high quality specialist independent shops, a plentiful choice of country pubs & restaurants, real ale from the local brewery at Hook Norton and beautiful surrounding Oxfordshire countryside.<br />
<br />
Parking in Chipping Norton is plentiful, mostly free or low cost and within easy walking distance of The Theatre. For a Map and Directions......<a href="http://www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk/index.php?map_and_directions" target="_blank">follow this link</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d52_Exhibitions_Events.html">http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d52_Exhibitions_Events.html</a>Gill Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14209099070628711892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-81269190320817509712011-07-23T05:24:00.000-07:002011-07-23T05:24:44.065-07:00Plantec Distribution Warehouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptbMIHcjhwo/Tiq807TC5VI/AAAAAAAACSU/5tlXpmunIyc/s1600/pantecfactory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptbMIHcjhwo/Tiq807TC5VI/AAAAAAAACSU/5tlXpmunIyc/s320/pantecfactory.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <b>OK so it’s a factory!</b><br />
<br />
But it’s a commission from a company who wanted a couple of paintings of their holding centres for a new showroom/lobby. So how to make a painting from an unpromising photograph? I enjoyed depicting the smartness of the building front to the right, but keeping a ‘watercolour’ look. The left hand side was relieved by the softness of the hillside behind and greatly helped by the distant church tower, and the red post box on the gates. I created ‘movement’ in the sky to relieve the ‘static’ lines of the warehouse. I might yet put a couple of figures by the vans as it just seems to want something else there. Where does one stop? <br />
<br />
I hope they like it!Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-88784820419245236272011-04-13T10:56:00.000-07:002011-04-13T10:56:46.864-07:00A Painting of St.Michaels, Duntisbourne Rouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tevNOu1aL5c/TaXjq5SzTDI/AAAAAAAACSQ/tLB2savEKsQ/s1600/Duntisbourne+Abbots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tevNOu1aL5c/TaXjq5SzTDI/AAAAAAAACSQ/tLB2savEKsQ/s320/Duntisbourne+Abbots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last Friday was the most beautiful warm and sunny Spring day so I packed up my paints to seek pastures new, and do some painting ‘en plein air’. I had not been down the Duntisbourne valley before (just west of Cirencester) but with daffodils lining the lanes it was the place to be ‘far from the madding crowd’. <br />
<br />
With mixed results I sat and daubed, but in the afternoon came across this obscure spot, not even signposted from the road. It is a tiny Saxon church with a ‘saddle back’ roof on the tower – it is a bit crooked, it’s not just my painting! It was the most peaceful spot in which to sit and paint, in the shade of an old ivy-clad wall. The valley dropped away to a babbling brook far below, and when the shadows had lengthened too far for me to follow, I found myself reluctant to return once again to the world. <br />
<br />
It is well-known that many churches built on sacred pagan sites were dedicated to St. Michael (who legend has it fought with the angels against the devil). I wonder if this were the case here?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d20_Cotswold_Paintings.html">St Michael's Church, Duntisbourne Rouse - An Original Watercolour Painting.</a>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-12344504302373417332011-04-13T10:50:00.000-07:002011-04-13T10:52:52.594-07:00Malmesbury Abbey Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0ko4DaO0A0/TaXhVCbxOwI/AAAAAAAACSM/hsFNcbvmJM0/s1600/Malmesbury+abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0ko4DaO0A0/TaXhVCbxOwI/AAAAAAAACSM/hsFNcbvmJM0/s320/Malmesbury+abbey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Why do I like Malmesbury so much? The Abbey surely has much to do with it. I sang there with my choir (Wessex Male Choir) last year, and the atmosphere and acoustics were lovely. But in Spring weather such as we have had recently I decided to ‘get around’ to painting it, as I have intended to ever since we sang there.<br />
<br />
A victim of the dissolution of the monasteries, if only there were more of it left, with its soaring spire, but I suppose we should be grateful that what is still there is so beautiful. The empty arches have a poetry and poignancy about them and speak to me of the temporary nature of our lives. <br />
<br />
It is a busy architectural subject, so I have tried to keep the colours and shadows soft, as of a bright but hazy Spring morning. Turner painted it beautifully once, from afar, but I’ve not let that put me off!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d20_Cotswold_Paintings.html">Malmesbury Abbey - An Original Watercolour Painting</a>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-24513454933185793222011-03-17T10:16:00.000-07:002011-03-17T10:19:03.581-07:00Painting Water and Bridges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GABZegq9_VE/TYJCZnerI2I/AAAAAAAACSI/n_1Mlmovn0k/s1600/robbers-bridge-ds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GABZegq9_VE/TYJCZnerI2I/AAAAAAAACSI/n_1Mlmovn0k/s320/robbers-bridge-ds.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is an unusual subject for me – a bridge on Exmoor, (but do you know which one?) It’s a famous one, and very old. I was commissioned to paint this as a birthday present for someone. I used burnt sienna as a base wash behind much of it which gives it the reddish wintry look. The beech leaves on the ground and in the distant trees seemed to demand it.<br />
<br />
The trees were entirely moss covered and green, so no burnt umber or real browns in the painting. Instead Paynes Grey to darken trees, and also to darken the water. So the ‘warmth’ of the colours come from warm blues and grays instead of browns and ochres. This adds to the more wintry feel of the season than a summer view would give. Sorry about all that technical stuff – but unusual colour scheme for me, but I enjoyed painting it! <br />
<br />
Now I’d like to go for a long walk there with my wife Gill & dog Truffle!Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-84521812581926709052011-02-21T07:20:00.000-08:002011-02-21T07:20:18.201-08:00The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/media/radcliffe%20camera%20-%20border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/media/radcliffe%20camera%20-%20border.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>I return to Oxford again and again to paint as I love architectural subjects, and Oxford contains some of the finest buildings in the world. I’m not sure this painting is completely finished yet, but with watercolour it’s usually best to stop while you’re winning, and not overwork a subject. Why the angle chosen in the picture? When you approach Radcliffe Square from the High, through a narrow pedestrian lane, the Camera is suddenly there in front of you, and I wanted to evoke the ‘impact’ it has when you first round the corner and look up. <br />
<br />
I’ve just suggested the Bodleian Library in the background. I’m never certain a painting has ‘worked’ when I’ve just finished it, but I certainly enjoyed working on it, and that’s important to me! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d25_Watercolour_Paintings.html">The Radcliffe Camera</a> was designed in the English Palladian Style by James Gibbs between 1737 and 1748, and is believed to have been the first circular library to be built in England.Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-57635832327015997192011-02-09T10:53:00.000-08:002011-02-09T10:53:02.909-08:00Springtime at Arlington Row, Bibury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TVLiZHXMktI/AAAAAAAACSA/Itgc4dT364E/s1600/arlingtonrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TVLiZHXMktI/AAAAAAAACSA/Itgc4dT364E/s320/arlingtonrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Wishful thinking whilst we’re still in February, but I just painted this one for the cover of my ‘Cotswolds in Watercolour 2012’ Calendar, which needs to be printed soon, to be in the shops by Easter. <br />
<br />
I’ve painted this view a number of times before, but each time it comes out differently. I had to leave room in sky for the title! Doesn’t it make you long for those days when you can laze on the warm grass in the sunshine, having a nap on the picnic rug.Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-30145400829870694202011-01-19T11:49:00.000-08:002011-01-19T11:50:30.559-08:00The High and Queens College, Oxford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TTc-Z4uYqWI/AAAAAAAACR4/gDnPFu36rRU/s1600/Oxford+High.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TTc-Z4uYqWI/AAAAAAAACR4/gDnPFu36rRU/s320/Oxford+High.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It’s usually sunny in my paintings, but here there are people with umbrellas, and the mood is restrained and a little damp! I found a line drawing of this view in a drawer, which I drew many years ago, and realised that I never actually turned it into a painting.<br />
<br />
I only used two colours in this; yellow ochre, and cobalt blue. They give an interesting scale of blue, and grey greens to gold. I love the architecture on the High, and the muted colours suit the feeling of a wet day. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d25_Watercolour_Paintings.html">Original Watercolour Painting of Oxford for Sale.</a>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-71925251073660289742011-01-18T13:35:00.000-08:002011-01-18T13:35:44.692-08:00Chipping Campden in Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TTYHfKBcV_I/AAAAAAAACR0/hvkQNRQxPOs/s1600/Chipping+Campden+in+Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TTYHfKBcV_I/AAAAAAAACR0/hvkQNRQxPOs/s320/Chipping+Campden+in+Snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The recent snow has inspired me to paint a number of snowscenes, and in this depiction of the Almshouses in Chipping Campden, I am revisiting a scene I have painted before. This is partly to contribute to an ‘Artist’s Guide to the Cotswolds’ on which I am working, and hope to finish in a month or so. <br />
<br />
It will be a sort of souvenir guide, but instead of photos it will have paintings and line drawings, as well as my own personal commentaries on the towns and villages. It’s an exercise in concise English as there are so many places in the Cotswolds which must be included. I have not put any figures in this picture, as I wanted it to be serene and uspoilt, like the snow before anyone has appeared and messed it up with footprints! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d20_Cotswold_Paintings.html">Cotswold Paintings and Watercolours</a> by Chris FothergillChris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-37619213303699861002010-12-14T10:40:00.000-08:002010-12-14T10:40:51.996-08:00Northleach Market Place – but as you have never seen it before<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TQe4Nd39CzI/AAAAAAAACRk/DraiuD-q3E8/s1600/marketcross-print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TQe4Nd39CzI/AAAAAAAACRk/DraiuD-q3E8/s320/marketcross-print.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Eh? I hear you say, wait a minute, the left hand side of the painting is recognisable, but what is that building on the right? </b><br />
<br />
In fact the picture above is a painting by Chris Fothergill, but a very close copy of an ink and watercolour painting of the Market Place by an artist, Frederick Stockdale. The original is in a museum in Devizes, Wiltshire, and came to light last year, untitled, but has since been traced to Northleach, and the artist verified. <br />
<br />
The marvellous thing about it is it reveals for the first time what the old Market Hall (the building on column supports to the right) actually looked like, with the High Market Cross in the immediate foreground. It has long been known that the Market Hall existed and it has shown on old plans of the town, but until now there has been no image of it, as it was demolished in the 1820’s, which pre-dates even the earliest photography. As the rest of the Market Place and the Church is so accurately and well observed, even the pub sign showing a white horse (the name of the pub then, which is now the Sherborne Arms), then it is almost certainly a faithful rendition. The poor condition of the hall with its windows filled, and crumbling edges is quite apparent. <br />
<br />
I was very excited to have such a new side of Northleach revealed, and couldn’t wait to copy the painting for myself. The artist’s use of pen and watercolour style is so similar to my own that it came easily to produce a copy, and I believe at a glance one would be hard put to tell the difference. Originally I was going to keep it for myself, but someone in the town persuaded me to sell it to them, and then another person persuaded me to paint another copy for them! After which I decided I would produce a small edition of fine art copies of 100 numbered and signed Giclee prints on watercolour paper. <br />
<ul><li><b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_834455300">These Market Place Prints</a><a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d57_Cotswold_Prints_for_Sale.html"> of Northleach</a> are now available for purchase; </b></li>
</ul>The image size is approx 13” x 8” and framed approx 19” x 14”.<br />
I’m offering them at £79.00 fully framed with a single washlined double mount in a quiet gold frame. (Unframed mounted and packaged £49.00)<br />
<ul><li><b>Actually I did paint it once more for myself so I would have an original on my wall, but with a seasonal difference! See below: </b></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TQe5ihTzz9I/AAAAAAAACRs/WkfzhVA1tvg/s1600/northleach1820snowscene2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TQe5ihTzz9I/AAAAAAAACRs/WkfzhVA1tvg/s400/northleach1820snowscene2.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Christmas!</b></span> </div>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-31022451297031611382010-12-07T03:11:00.000-08:002010-12-07T03:13:42.957-08:00Let it Snow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TP4VxrUCqjI/AAAAAAAACRY/6-KpliWgATc/s1600/SnowatArlingtonRow-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TP4VxrUCqjI/AAAAAAAACRY/6-KpliWgATc/s320/SnowatArlingtonRow-2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Arlington Row, Bibury in the snow. </b><br />
I love painting snow, it’s so rewarding and pretty! But only from the comfort and warmth of my studio. Actually I did stand and do an drawing of the Bibury picture on the spot, but half an hour is enough. I have tried painting in the extreme cold – you put one wash of watercolour on the paper, and half an hour later it’s still wet! That’s my excuse anyway. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TP4V8AqDVoI/AAAAAAAACRc/zOLoSGunTMA/s1600/TheMillFairfor+insnow001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TP4V8AqDVoI/AAAAAAAACRc/zOLoSGunTMA/s320/TheMillFairfor+insnow001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Snow at The Mill, Fairford. </b><br />
A well know view to local people, and a chance to indulge in painting an old Mill in the snow reflected in water. An interesting challenge in tone and colour, but the view is balanced out by the church in the distance, and it’s a very Cotswold view. This was painted a few days ago just before doing the Fairford Advent Market on Friday evening. It was -2 degrees all evening! But the painting drew a lot of interest among the residents, and I may sell it yet!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d20_Cotswold_Paintings.html">Original watercolour paintings - Including Snow Scenes of the Cotswolds. </a>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-40707817368491006272010-11-25T12:03:00.000-08:002010-11-25T12:08:09.971-08:00‘A Street in Northleach’ by L. S. Lowry 1947<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TO7APbHqJJI/AAAAAAAACRM/IUAfImEfORs/s1600/lowry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TO7APbHqJJI/AAAAAAAACRM/IUAfImEfORs/s1600/lowry.jpg" /></a></div> <b>(This painting is a copy by me, in acrylic paints on canvas)</b><br />
<br />
Which is in fact ‘The Green, Northleach’ featuring Tudor House, home to <a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/">Fothergills Gallery</a> for 15 years from 1994 to 2010, to the left hand side of the painting! <br />
<br />
This painting by Lowry came to light recently in Christie’s auction house, and sold for around £265,000. So what you may ask? Well I was tickled to think that our old shop was painted by Lowry at all.<br />
<br />
I knew he had been to Northleach and done a charcoal sketch of The Green, as I had seen a copy of it, but I didn’t know he had gone on to do a painting.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TO7BeLz2zLI/AAAAAAAACRU/qdvuu8O3CDU/s1600/chrispaintinglowry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TO7BeLz2zLI/AAAAAAAACRU/qdvuu8O3CDU/s320/chrispaintinglowry.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
It is set in the bitter winter of 1947, with children playing in the snow. I was so taken with the scene that I decided to paint a copy of Lowry’s original. Stretching a canvas to the original size of 18” x 21.5” I painted a thick layer of titanium white over the canvas in a rough texture as one might artex a ceiling. Then painting in the outlines with ivory black I began blocking in colours and putting in figures, then painting around them, and adding thin colour over thick, then more white. I studied the paintwork on the original (online!) and Lowry obviously worked back and forth in all sorts of ways. I found out that he only ever used five colours in oils; flake white, ivory black, vermillion, Prussian blue and yellow ochre. Getting into the mind of another artist is never easy, and I only used acrylics instead of oils so that I could accomplish the painting quickly and the thick paint would dry fast. <br />
<br />
It was a fascinating exercise, and I was pleased with the result, which on the face of it is quite similar to the original. I put a thinnest watery grey wash over the top afterwards to age the thick paint, and some button polish near the edges to give a mucky patina. <br />
<br />
<b>Great fun, but I don’t think I’ll get £265,00 for it! The Ox House Wine Company in the Market Place, Northleach might just hang it in their Wine Bar though, it should make a good talking point!</b>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-48869686948156159972010-11-11T03:36:00.000-08:002010-11-11T03:41:40.435-08:00Christmas Bonanza at the Westwoods Centre Northleach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/510477/18ffcebd07c1439dca000bec996db79f/image/jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://app.icontact.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/510477/18ffcebd07c1439dca000bec996db79f/image/jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TNvV5rlq7JI/AAAAAAAACRI/khpmhOPmX7A/s1600/bonanza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4wcENY0bwVw/TNvV5rlq7JI/AAAAAAAACRI/khpmhOPmX7A/s320/bonanza.jpg" width="225" /></a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday 13th November </b><br />
<b>10.00am - 4.00pm</b><br />
<br />
Experience a magical Christmas shopping extravaganza.... Plenty of gift ideas and festive delights for family & friends.<br />
<br />
<b>FREE PARKING ~ FREE ADMISSION</b><br />
<br />
<b>SPRING CHICKEN CARDS & GIFTS</b><br />
We'll have a selection of our best-selling Spring Chicken cards and gifts from our <a href="http://www.peartreeheybridge.biz/">Spring Chicken</a> online store........Cards, Mugs, Teatowels and Aprons, Paper Napkins, Bottle Bags, Coasters and more! <br />
<br />
<b>Plus <a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d49_Cotswold_Calendar.html">Cotswold Calendars</a>, Cards, Paintings and Prints by Chris.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.northleachbonanza.co.uk"> www.northleachbonanza.co.uk</a></b></span>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-7468534787662776692010-11-05T13:04:00.000-07:002010-11-05T15:16:15.891-07:00Christmas Fayre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/media/christmasevents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/media/christmasevents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Aldsworth Village Hall, Glos.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Sunday 9th November 10.00am - 2.00pm</b><br />
Christmas gift ideas, cards, falconry, art, raffle, local food items, beauty, jewellery, toys, Cotswold wine, & much more. All made or sourced locally or local enterprises. I shall be there selling my wares!<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d62_Cotswold-Christmas-cards.html">Cotswold Christmas Cards</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d49_Cotswold_Calendar.html">Cotswold Calendar</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fothergillsgallery.co.uk/contents/en-us/d25_Watercolour_Paintings.html">Paintings & Prints</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.peartreeheybridge.biz/">Spring Chicken Cards & Gifts </a></li>
</ul><b>In Aid of Aldsworth village fund.</b><br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aGO5IZeQNiA?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aGO5IZeQNiA?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441720574386494267.post-77557365511714947282010-10-13T03:19:00.000-07:002010-10-13T03:21:46.381-07:00Travels with my Art - The Cities of Umbria 2010<object height="344" style="background-image: url("http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/ccJpapkOkhI/hqdefault.jpg");" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ccJpapkOkhI?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ccJpapkOkhI?fs=1&hl=en_GB" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Chris Fothergillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01359688463519117540noreply@blogger.com1