Heading for the heights..

A long way to the sea
Doronne de Chaviere at Roc de la Peche
Parc National de la Vanoise
12 x 9" oils on board

Walk, wine, weather.  A heady mix, but what better way to spend a late summer Saturday in the Alps.  We hiked up to Roc de la Peche for a delicious lunch, happily my lovely husband helped carry my gear (note to self - organise lighter kit for next trip).  After lunch I went down into a ravine to paint at the side of the river (the very same that lower down the mountain was the subject of my last post). I only had a couple of hours until the sun sank behind the very high cliff alongside me, so I made haste and tried to cut short chatting to curious bypassers.

I made a good start, got the blocking in done, noted the colours of the river, which were spectacular, and the fantastic hues of the cliffside reflecting light from the water and the hillside across.  I probably got 75% of the painting under my belt before the sun slipped behind the mountian, probably sooner than it would have done had I been in a more open situation, but perhaps as well as I still had an hours trek down to where my car was parked.

I am now starting to get used to working with my limited palette of six colours plus black and white, and I think it helps give unity to the finished work as all the colours, shades and tints consist of  a really small and common collection of pigments.

I hope I get lots more opportunity to get out to paint plein air before winter closes in.  For the next four weeks I am doing an online study course dealing with values, so mostly I will be doing exercises rather than finished paintings.  Expect a short hiatus, then hopefully some improvement in my value studies!

A short walk in high pastures

I have been concentrating my efforts on reducing my payload.  To that end I have cut my colour selection down to 6 + white, less brushes, less everything, so that I can manage to hike without needing a pack donkey or a porter.
This trip, which was my first sortie more than 100 metres from my car, took me a 45 minute uphill trek to one of my favourite spots near the Refuge de Roque de la Peche.
It was in full sun so I was relieved to have taken my brolly.  It takes a bit of securing to prevent it being blown away and taking my set up with it, but the shade it affords enables me to see the colours, and the intensity in a more accurate manner.
As usual it need a couple of tweaks when I got back home, but it now takes its rightful position amongst my ever growing collection of mountain views.  A friend has made a rustic style of frame for me.  I really like the effect, it suits the mountain paintings very well.  I will post a photograph shortly.
In the mean time here is

Le Gorge de Montaiment

Oil on panel

12 x 9"

Summer chalets Les Prioux

These chalets are at Les Prioux, another little summer hamlet on the road up towards Roc de la Peche, way above Pralognan. You can get to it by car when there is no snow so it is a popular spot, so much so that it has two restaurants, and is one of the few places where you can buy the local delicacy Serac cheese, similar to ricotta.

The tiny chalet in the centre belongs to the patriarch of the family we bought our chalet from so I shall give it to him as a gift.

I am quite pleased with the way the background trees came out. I find it more difficult painting vague suggestions of trees directly from the scene in front of me. A photograhic reference makes life simpler - although it leads to the temptation to put in more information than necessary!

Watercolour on Arches paper 23x31 cms approx.

Mountain watercolours

I have filled a painting pad with watercolours of the mountains. They aren't all worth posting, but one or two are fit to show.
This first one is of the Val de Chaviere from the top of the Bochor cablecar. The viewpoint is at 2000 metres, and is a enormous view over the entire valley, heading up towards the Roc de la Peche.
The refuge at Roc de la Peche is open all year round for intrepid travellers in the snow but access is often restricted because of avalanche threats, the approach valley is really steep. In the summer it is accessible by foot for normal souls. Having said that it is still a good uphill treck of around 5 kms.
This watercolour was done at the top of the cablecar, it was so hot I tried to shelter under a tree, but they were all conifers - and very prickly!

Watercolour on Arches paper. Approx 23 x 31 cms.
My paintings are always for sale. If you are interested please email me.

Another chilly day

Another chilly day. I had Parsnip (our Jack Russell Terrier) with me and she shivered in the boot most of the day. I have a little hatchback, and if I park in the right direction I can sit in the boot and paint quite happily on my easel and box set up.

This is a view from the car park at the end of the road up towards Roc de la Peche, which is a refuge about 5 kms up into the mountains. It is not a hard walk, and the views and surroundings are well worth the effort. The refuge is open all year although in the snow you have to use snowshoes, and has a lovely restaurant, together with rooms and very good facilities.

The early snow sits well on the higher mountains and shimmers gently into the valleys below. At this high altitude (around 1800m) it lingers for days. There are glimpses of autumn but there are few deciduous trees at this level. Most of the colour is from stems and berries.
Despite the sunshine you need plenty layers.

Pastel on Hermes sanded paper
approx 36x24cms

My work is always for sale. If you are interested please email me.