Disused Mine Workings, Sirhowy Valley.

Hi Alan, I absolutely LOVE this painting! My parents were brought up in the South Wales Valleys and it reminds me of home. Is it for sale?

Oh you gloried in that colour and freedom Alan

So full of interest and glowing colous!

This is incredible Alan....all that energy! Such an iconic symbol of Wales too, the wheelhouse stands out in it's ghostly form.

Thank you for all your encouraging comments, and Sarah, I have replied to your email.

Wow! I really like your style. So interesting.

Another lively painting- but I'm afraid your headgear would never work. The sheave wheels should be at the centre of the main front legs and the diagonal supporting frame which will allow the rope to pass over the wheel and go down the centre of the shaft. But you're not alone - I have seen many artists depicting mining scenes who make the same mistake.

Thank you for all your comments and in reply to Malcolm, I am looking at a photo of Abertillery colliery and that was my reference point and the wheel is in the same position ie. at the top as in my painting.<br /><br />It is important to remember that most artist&#39;s are looking for a general impression an not an exact copy and my paintings are no different. If I want an exact copy I can present a painting that is almost photographic in quality but it would be pointless, I may as well just take a photo, it&#39;s much quicker but less fun.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/718723<br />This show the colliery you refer to and the points I made. I agree about not making a photographic record but I think a main feature in a painting should be structurally correct.<br /><br />

That&#39;s your view Malcolm, I&#39;m not a structural engineer but a successful artist with paintings all over the world, so I must be doing something right!

Art is what the artist sees and wants to communicate in my opinion. This so evocative and wild I am not surprised you sold it.

Well commented Gudrun, I totally agree.