Cornish sketching days

I've posted my favourite sketches from this year's Cornish break on the 'Sketchbook - Coast' page.
I challenged myself to capture skies this year: the threatening skies at Polkerris provided ample inspiration.

There's always one which is drawn very quickly and which sums up the weather conditions or other prevailing conditions. This year's quick sketch was done at Watergate Bay in a high wind with the tide racing in!

I hope you enjoy this year's offerings.

Cornish sketching

Easter holidays always gives me some good sketching time on the coast

It looks like beautiful weather

the cold winds didn't bother the dog

and with hats, gloves and windproof jackets

quite a bit of drawing got done. Happy days.

Coast sketchbook

I've enjoyed two energising breaks away this summer, to the Cornish coast and the Welsh coast. On occasion sketching was done in spite of the weather, but there were some wonderful views...

After a bracing walk

Lunch break, mid way on a much longer walk

A sunny half hour caught by chance after driving through rain

The rock formations really appealed on this colder, windier day

Revisiting Tremenheere, Cornwall

We had a glorious week in Cornwall last week and eagerly whizzed back to Tremenheere Gardens (previous post 2 years ago), near Penzance. There is a wonderful new cafe, shop, and new sculptures including an understated line of grasses by Richard Long, beautifully positioned overlooking St Michaels Mount. This piece provides a deft take on his early work "a line made by walking".

The James Turrell skyspace has had an interior refit which enhances the experience wonderfully well.

I loved the camera obscura, the colours were beautiful, reminding me of faded photographs.

Another good tip if you are heading to Cornwall - Tate St Ives is open late on a Thursday evening. The idea hasn't properly taken off yet so the gallery is a calm quiet oasis after 6pm; its a great exhibition and so nice to look at great pieces in a peaceful environment.

Cornish tea time

We've had a lovely break in Cornwall, walking, watching, drinking tea, a bit of art and a bit of sketching.

From Constantine Bay

Drawing the above sketch, 'still need a woolly hat' weather

We really enjoyed visiting two galleries. Sarah Adams shows her work at the Padstow Studio and if you're lucky enough to catch her there you'll find her fascinating to talk to. Her work is stunning, there is such depth to the surface, the rocks she paints glow and glisten as though recently wet from the sea. We also loved the selection of work at the Veryan Gallery, particularly that of Robin Leonard. He paints highly evocative studies that verge on the abstract, but conjure clear impressions of the Cornish coastline.

On our last day we stopped for a cuppa at Melinsey Mill. I love my paths, but have never seen one adorned with Tea Pots before, whacky and delightfully charming.

 

Cornish sketchbook - Rock structures

When I am on the coast I am drawn mostly to the rocks, the intricate ways in which the sea worn stone fits together and the way that the stone forms shapes against and within the cliff faces.



When I went to Cornwall this time I had just read a snippet about
deciding what you want to draw before you start.
It sounds so obvious, but deciding that the seam in the rock leading to this little 'cave'
was what I wanted to focus on let me concentrate on the key forms without adding too
much unnecessary detail and shading.

All these sketches were made on Kennack Sands, where the dog was allowed...

Sometimes its easier to settle to a drawing if you're comfortable,
a chair does mean you can get your angle right,
and there is somewhere to hang your coat in the changeable August weather!
I wonder if makers of this chair realise that their drink holder
 on the arm makes a perfect artists pencil holder...

Cornish sketchbook - Headlands

Our Cornish summer visit took us to the Lizard Peninsula, a lovely area, a lot quieter than much of Cornwall, and excellent drawing potential. I kept up the sketch a day ambition, and only lost one day when we were travelling.

This is a series of the sketches looking out towards headlands...

Chynhallis Point, from Coverack

Looking back to Chynhallis Point, from the west



Kennack Bay, drawn very quickly with waves crashing into the sea wall where I sat
I like the speedy nature of the marks which gave greater accuracy

From Kynance Cove, looking towards the Lizard

A Cornish Sketchbook

I have been to Cornwall for a few days, and enjoyed fantastic weather. There were inspiring views along the coast and many good opportunities to get the sketchbook out. 

From Treyarnon Bay to Trevose Head

Towards Constantine Bay

Booby’s Bay, near Trevose Head was a treasure trove of fascinating rock formations.

In a sheltered corner, Booby's Bay

The sketchbook combined with photos has given me new food for thought, and sources for inspiration.

There will definitely be new drawings, and maybe some etchings...