http://stevestrode.com/

Finally finished the two Kynance pieces and uploaded them to the web site which should be live any moment now.

One week in November spent in Cornwall yielded plenty of small paintings done plein air using a small pochade box. This was a little backstreet in the Village of Marazion by Penzance that offered just a glimpse of the sea at the end of the road. The box is pictured in the shot above and opposite. I usually have it on my knee or a tripod but here it is pictured on the floor as I add a few finishing touches to a painting out at Geevor mines, (see Jan 2nd post for painting I was working on). The photo shows my basic plein air set up. The rucksack carries everything that I need and I have attached a small fishing seat to the back that simply stays attached and opens out.

Been working on a series of paintings of the Lake District. This one is not quiet cooked yet but I think it's getting there. I find it easier to work in series as each work can inform the other. It's also nice to move between different palettes and explore different effects of light on the landscape.

Bit more work on one of the Kynance paintings....almost there I think. Working on a website the last few days so all being well that should be live by next week

Finished off a studio piece this week from the November trip. A hidden garden near Gulver

Working on 2 larger versions of the watercolour study from Kynance Cove. The studio work is a totally different proposition to the plein air work. A longer process of pouring, glazing and scraping away at the image until it gradually emerges and if successful it can retain the quality of light and hopefully the essence of the original. Still playing with them but I would say they are almost there.

Another of the plein air pieces done during one week in November. The Brisons lay off the coast and as the artist Kurt Jackson noted it reminded him of General De Galle laying in the bath. It was this visualisation that prevented him painting this particular scene for quite some time.

Out on the cliffs at Geevor Mine. The old mine workings facing out to sea like Easter Island sentinels

Plein Air work from a recent painting trip to West Penwith in Cornwall. This was a day spent painting at Kynance Cove. A study in watercolour