 |
| Hitchin Lavender - location sketch in watercolour © Teresa Newham |
If it's August, it must be time to visit Hitchin Lavender - it's almost a rule in our house. We've been there in sunshine, and in pouring rain - it's spectacular, so this year I took my watercolours along.
 |
| lavender of various colours © Teresa Newham |
The idea was to do a quick location sketch while my companions - equipped with the scissors and bags provided - snipped the lavender. They soon vanished into a sea of blooms, along with the other visitors, while I secured a table and laid out my paints.
 |
| visitors snipping © Teresa Newham |
Plein air painting is full of interruptions and today was no different - bees, wasps, curious onlookers - and if you've ever tried to take an urgent phone call or two while (a) keeping your voice down, (b) holding a paintbrush and (c) protecting your work from unforecast rain, you'll have an idea of how frazzled I was by the time the others returned . . .
 |
| the fruit of their labours! © Teresa Newham |
We retreated to the excellent café for lunch, and once the rain had stopped took a walk across to the sunflowers, which were just coming into bloom. As we strolled back, I noticed that I wasn't the only artist there that day: a couple of people had settled down for the duration with canvas and acrylics.
 |
| sunflowers at the edge of the lavender fields © Teresa Newham |
This doesn't surprise me: it's such an inspiring place. At some point I'd love to make a painting or a linocut print of it - or perhaps both! the possibilities are endless . . .
 |
| the display area © Teresa Newham |
Hitchin Lavender is open until September, and well worth a visit! find them on Facebook or click here for their website.
The watercolour brings out the essence of the day and the place beautifully. A great place to visit!
ReplyDeleteThanks - it was great fun to do despite the usual challenges!
ReplyDelete