Holbacks Barn

Selina - its a pity when these old barns are pulled down but isnt it great that you have this sketch to hang on to. I often prefer the sketches to the more formal paintings and this has the fresh feel you would lose in a painting. I have a few like this which I take a photo off and save in a Word document and then write a description of why I sketched it and history and feelings etc and am keeping them for the family, a winter job instead of the telly....

Norah Thank you for all your comments. I agree about freshness of sketches. I nearly always lose it when trying to reproduce something. I seldom now try and reproduce a sketch and just keep the sketch. Most of my work has some sentimental background to is, ( I suppose that is the same for most people!). I think your idea of writing up the history of why you do yours is a lovely idea. Some people talk about why they do things on this site, which I find interesting to read.

Selina, thank you for the comment on welsh farm, yes the holiday was great and as I dont go to any classes I treat myself to a painting holiday now and then and this was the best yet - lovely country and the two artists were so enthusiastic - I also only go on ones which are mostly plein air as I think you learn more if you make yourself sketch or paint outdoors and David Bellamy is one of the few who goes out unless the weather is really bad and some of the walks were long but memorable - wales is so lovely

I think, Norah, that is the sort of break I'd like. I must do one. I feel that I am only half doing the job when I work from a photo or inside. All my best period stuff was done out in the open. I never finish it as well as I would inside. Sometimes I finish it off in the evening at where ever I am staying. I did a lot of drawings in Scotland which I love. Wales is more accessible for me now.