Painting in Bradford-on-Avon

Only five days left before our show starts in Bradford-on-Avon at the Tithe Barn! My paintings are framed and packed and I'm looking forward to chatting to people about my art. During our last two shows at the same place, several local people told me they wished I painted more scenes of Bradford-on-Avon (I usually do mainly Bath). So I decided to give it a go this year. A couple of weeks ago I was there looking for inspiration to paint. I ended up nearby the Tithe Barn, set up on the bridge and produced a couple of plein air pieces.

By the river near the Tithe Barn, Bradford on Avon  12"x10"  oil on board

From the bridge I was standing on, I could see a lot of people enjoying the glorious weather in various ways (having a walk, picnic, playing ball, playing in the water, canoeing, etc...) so this painting is all about this feeling.

The view from the bridge

Detail of the finished painting

The painting towards the end

Detail of the finished painting

Below is my second painting. I wanted to capture the lovely warm greys in the distant hills and the various shades of green in the trees. I must admit I added the train at home from a photograph. I paint quickly, but I'm not that quick!

Painting from the bridge near the Tithe Barn, Bradford-on-Avon   16"x9"  oil on board

My painting after half an hour

Detail of the finished painting

Detail of the finished painting

These two -almost dry- paintings will be at the show alongside many others. 

Here is reminder of where and when:

"Three Wessex Sketchers - Capturing the light" 

at the West Barn, Barton Farm in Bradford on Avon BA15 1LF (UK) 

From Saturday 2 May to Monday 4 May (bank holiday)

10am to 5.30 pm - Free entry

Private view: Saturday evening from 6pm-10pm

Click to have more info about the show. 

I hope to see you there!

Painting in Widcombe by the river Avon

Here is a plein air painting I did a couple of weeks ago in Widcombe alongside the river Avon. My discerning blog followers might notice I did a painting almost at the same spot last year, depicting the footbridge (you can see a small section of it on the right). Click here to see which painting I'm talking about.

Sunny day, near Widcombe footbridge   14"x10"   oil on board

It was a beautiful sunny morning and what caught my eye was the variety of greens, the sun hitting the facades of the houses, and the green footbridge/roadworks fences caught in the sun. Below is the picture of the view I painted. I set up alongside the river handrail and tried not to drop my brushes in the water (almost did!).

My faithful and patient bike waiting for me to finish my painting

The painting half way through

That's me in action

I didn't need to look at my watch to keep track of time because I could hear every 45 minutes the guide on the microphone in the tourist boat passing just below me, saying each time exactly the same sentence at the same spot. I got a few waves from the tourists too so that kept me company. 

Detail of the finished painting

Detail of the finished painting

This painting, alongside many others, will be for sale at our forthcoming show in Bradford on Avon on 2-4 May. If you haven't heard about it and want more info, check out my last blog post here. I hope to see you there!

Upcoming show: 2-4 May 2015 in Bradford on Avon

I'm very much looking forward to our upcoming show next month in Bradford on Avon. Many of you are already planning to come so it promises to be fun! Here is more information about it:

"Three Wessex Sketchers - Capturing the light" 

at the West Barn, Barton Farm in Bradford on Avon BA15 1LF (UK) 

From Saturday 2 May to Monday 4 May (bank holiday)

10am to 5.30 pm - Free entry

Private view: Saturday evening from 6pm-10pm

The show will feature paintings from Bob Child, Andrew Taylor and myself. We all share the same passion for painting and a love of nature and architecture and we all work in a spontaneous and energetic way, trying to capture the light with paint. The show will feature work produced in plein air and also in studio. There will also be a large choice of original prints, cards and postcards. 

Bob Child, myself and Andrew Taylor

We usually get many families popping by, so there will be a little drawing/craft corner for children and for the curious artists, we will display our material, painting boxes and brushes so you can have a better idea of how we work. Bob, Andrew and myself will be there the whole time during the three days so come and say hi!

For those who can't make it, have a look on our websites. You can email us to reserve/purchase paintings online:

www.valeriepirlot.com

www.peartreestudios.co.uk

www.andrewptaylor.co.uk

Here are a few pictures of the venue: West Barn, Barton Farm in Bradford on Avon. The pictures were taken during our last show two years ago at the same place:

The private view of our exhibition will be held on Saturday evening from 6pm-10pm and there will be drinks, nibbles and music from guitarist Cobie Mills. Would be great to see you there! 

Here is below a small selection of our work that will be at the show:

Starting with some of my paintings (there will be many many more!):

The Old Town Bridge, Bradford-on-Avon  - Valérie Pirlot

Cloud Study - beach in Fuerteventura - Valérie Pirlot

Morning hot air balloon ride - The Royal Crescent  - Valérie Pirlot

Bath views from Alexandra Park - April afternoon  - Valérie Pirlot

Hills in the morning fog - Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt  - Valérie Pirlot

Last light - Monksdale road allotments  - Valérie Pirlot

The Avon, Bath, near the train station   - Valérie Pirlot

Waterfront Square, Bristol Harbourside  - Valérie Pirlot

Superb watercolours by Bob Child:

Bob Child

Le Pont de l'Ouysse  - Bob Child

La Gomera  - Bob Child

Colerne, Tutton Hill  - Bob Child

Totnes High St  - Bob Child

Underfall Yard  - Bob Child

Lively and spontaneous paintings by Andrew Taylor:

Andrew Taylor

Near Marden  - Andrew Taylor

Cheverell Corn Bales  - Andrew Taylor

All Cannings, South view  - Andrew Taylor

Frome from the South - Andrew Taylor

View to Blackfriars  Bridge (1)  - Andrew Taylor

And finally here are a few pictures taken during our last two shows at the same venue.

We hope you can make it!