Capturing the light

This beautiful location is at Forest, Mountrath. It is easy to miss this view when you drive past. I attempted to capture the glorious light in this painting using a limited palette (no sap green).
I might re-visit again when the cereal crop has ripened.

Where does it go? - Oil on canvas - 16 x 20inches

Detail

Building on last weeks workshop

Here is a Plein air painting of part our garden. This picture is for my wife as I usually park my car blocking this view from the house. The photo is a little washed out possibly because of the sheen from the wet oil paints.

Garden view - Oil on canvas - 40cm x 40cm

More from Plein Air week

Our most enjoyable week on the Cosby Estate, Stradbally painting en Plein air has come to an end. Tonight as I clean my palette and brushes I feel quite drained but satisfied by the experience. It was great to see the different approaches of the other artists and also to make many new friends. Jock Nichol has helped us to really see the landscape. Here is a small selection of photos taken during the week.

Muireann Ni Chonaill opening Jock Nichol's Plein Air exhibition and week-long workshop

Stradbally Hall (would have spent all week on this to finish) - Oil on canvas- 14 x 18 inches

An attentive bunch

Jock making it look so simple

I make it look so laboured

View from my easel

Completed oil on canvas - 14 x 18 inches

Closing exhibition

Closing exhibition

For more visit:  www.arthouse.ie

Plein Air week-long art course with Jock Nichol

Sadly, tomorrow is the last day of a week-long Plein Air art course with artist Jock Nichol. Laois Arts Officer, Muireann Ni Chonaill and her team at the Arthouse, Stradbally have done a wonderful job organizing the course. We have worked each day in the beautiful grounds of the Cosby Estate, Stadbally and produced some varied and interesting works. If you have a spare few minutes why not pop in to view the exhibition.

Check out the Arthouse on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/thearthouseandlibrary?fref=ts

Carrickfergus Castle

Recently we stayed in Carrickfergus for a few days. As part of the trip we visited the beautiful Carrickfergus Castle. The kids had a ball learning about its history and exploring the various parts of the castle. Seeing their excited faces reminded me of when I was young and how much this castle matched the one that I imagined the Chivalric Knights of my play called home.

Each evening I ventured out of our hotel to sketch the castle. I got rained on twice so the first of my watercolour sketches were rather smudged. However I did one drawing in pencil and did a crude block in of colour before the light faded. I finished this in the studio when we returned home.

Carrickfergus Castle - Watercolour 10 x 14 inches

Another bit of fun for Castletown Tidy Towns

Here is another bit of fun painted in Acrylics on a door of the stables at the old Mill in Castletown. I hope these chickens settle in well.

87cm x 76cm

The photograph of the ladies new home isn't great as it is a miserable dark and wet evening.

Detail