Harrogate

The railway bridge in Knaresborough

This photograph was the instagram version of one that I took in Knaresborough. This waterside spot would be a great place to paint on location.

This image may be used in my 'signs' project

Another contender for the vintage signs project

This was taken near the centre of Harrogate

Not Knaresborough or Harrogate - Bingley in fact.

Piece Hall

Piece Hall, Halifax.

Saturday 21st April 2012. I've been planning a series of paintings of the Piece Hall in Halifax. Today, I was looking after the kids all day while Mrs Chapple went to Sheffield, so I took the opportunity to lead a little field trip down to the Piece Hall to take some photographs.

For Heavens Cake

Some of the units are occupied by various businesses. This one is a Cake Shop which is AMAZING - I know from experience! This is the kind of image that would work well as a watercolour. Everything works so well from the vintage style sign to the street furniture to the architecture of the building. The only way it could be improved, is to take the photograph early in the morning to get the direct sunlight.

 

I love the symmetry of this photo. Capturing the direct sunlight makes this image work so well. The contrast of the light and shade is a great effect that emphasizes the architectural style. 

 

This is another great image which really captures the architectural style. The shadows cast by the sunlight makes this image for me. I would remove the shadows cast by the bunting.

 

I like the way the sun casts a shadow, creating that sharp line that runs diagonally. The lady sitting outside the cake shop adds interest and I would remove the bunting.

 

This is another individual shop that I think would work well as a watercolour. Similar to the cake shop, this frontage just looks so inviting.

North Yorkshire

Have been exploring the area around Skipton in North Yorkshire over the past couple of weeks. It is unquestionably a beautiful part of the country and I hope to spending a lot more time there in the coming months.

I have an idea. I was struck by the number of vintage/old fashioned style signs/shops etc that exist in the many villages around Skipton in the Dales. These things I am convinced, will make for excellent subject matter. I think they are visually outstanding. This ties in with looking for a suitable subject matter to paint and exhibit at craft fairs and festivals in the Yorkshire Dales. I need to come up with half a dozen images based on this vintage sign/shop frontage theme. I'm going to be busy...

Royston

Royston is a few miles south west of Cambridge and is where I picked up my travels from 27th-29th March. A little while ago. Not much to report apart from the weather back then was beautiful but since then I have been restricted in my travels by the many April showers....

Am hoping to spend at least three days per week between now and September, on the road promoting my art work, building up my order books...

Signs

During my travels, I always keep an eye out for interesting signs. Some signs are funny or unusual or some just simply look good. I particularly like old fashioned, traditional shop signs which look like they've been there for decades. I'm hoping to build up a collection of photographs of such signs and eventually, I'd like to paint a collection of my favorite ones in watercolour, but in a very photo-realistic style.

Here's a few photos that I've already taken..

Leathley

On Tuesday 6th March I was in Leathley and other surrounding villages like Pool in Wharfedale and Guiseley. A nice area just north of Leeds heading out towards the Yorkshire Dales. Another fairly cold day but plenty of sunshine around - everything's got that bare, end of winter look about it.

A New Season

The promotional tour has started up again for 2012. The weather's warming up and the first signs of spring are emerging.

So far, over the past 2 weeks I have completed 5 full days of promotional work, covering a new area of the country closer to my new home, West Yorkshire. Started off in Wetherby and the surrounding villages and then on to the northern villages around Leeds and up towards Harrogate.

A couple of pictures to show off here....

It will be interesting to see which parts of the country I cover in 2012. All will be reported on here.