the heavy rain is back but it can have benefits for the artist…

I find it much more interesting to sketch looming storm clouds whilst sitting in a car looking out over summer farmland and empty country lanes, than sunshine and blue skies…

Storm clouds near Shernbourne, Norfolk
© Mari French 2011

Exploring quiet country lanes between Anmer, Shelbourne and Ingoldisthorpe on monday, I came across these fields of ripening barley and a field of purple/blue flowers (crop?) which I couldn’t identify.

Blue field under stormy sky, Ingoldisthorpe, Norfolk
© Mari French 2012

I used oil pastel here for quick blocking in of features before flowing wet in wet watercolour over the top (first time I’ve tried this technique outdoors and it gives useful, speedy and lively results as the pastel acts as a resist to the paint. I like the broken colour and flecks of paint that result.

Barley field under storm clouds near Anmer, July ’12
© Mari French 2012

I was listening to ‘The Quiet Room’ from the album ‘Piano Stories’ by Debbie Wiseman –  a piece of music which goes well with the subject and place for me.

I’ve built up a library of atmospheric music via I-Tunes from noting pieces heard on Classic FM/BBC Radio 3 and the like.