Tulip Time - National Trust

The National Trust

Inspiration for paintings - April/Early May

April and Early May is definitely "Tulip Time" at the Somerset National Trust properties.  I couldn't begin to guess the time is must have taken to plant all these bulbs!

The colours are vibrant and amazing, particularly if you catch them in full sunshine.  We joined the National Trust a few weeks ago and so far have visited Lytes Cary, Montecute (both Somerset) and Trelissick near Truro in Cornwall - which I'll cover on another blog.

The inspiration for my watercolour tulips came from the cafe area in Lytes Cary where the pots were full of purple tulips.  The coffee and flapjack aren't too bad either! :).   There are a number of lovely walks around the grounds in Lytes Cary - one takes you around the fields, across a little bridge over a river and loops back round to the house.  We saw a Yellow Hammer bird (apparently!).  It was pretty and the first time I'd seen one.  I'm sure, on a quiet day, you could sit near the water's edge and see lots of wildlife activity.

So, thoroughly inspired by the colours of the tulips, I came home to paint with lots of lovely pinks and purples. Watercolour is ideal for capturing flowers - by allowing the paint to flow, you can get the effect of them moving in the breeze.  

"True Love Ways" (Sold)

Original Watercolour

Link to my website

 

Lynton and Lynmouth - North Devon

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Lynton and Lynmouth - autumn colours

We chose late November to visit one of our favourite locations, Lynton and Lynmouth, to see the beautiful autumn colours.  As we arrived and parked up at Lynton, the rain started!  To allow the rain to pass,  a "full English" at the cafe "Charlie Friday's" was a great start.

So leaving the cafe, we headed out towards the coast path in the direction of Valley of the Rocks.  There are two paths, my favourite being the upper path which is more grassy and natural - the lower pathway is tarmacked with easy access but and the views are equally beautiful.  The path hugs the coastline and with each twist and turn you are treated to views that keep beckoning you to walk further.

We walked on past the Valley of the Rocks and followed the coast path sign posts.  The late autumn sunshine is truly beautiful and the colours so rich. Today the sky and clouds were stunning.  I could literally keep walking all day following the coast path, but we had to make our way back to Lynton so took a left turn following an uphill path through some woods.  

Whilst hoping for views to the left, looking back down on the Valley of the Rocks, the rain set in again! 

Instead of the lovely views we were treated to the company of the mountain goats, so famous for the area.

On previous visits, we have only seen them from afar, but today, we were amongst them.   I'm inspired to paint them, particularly with this misty backdrop!

Heading along the pathway we were now beginning to go downhill again, towards Lynton.  Normally this walk would be "enough" for the day but madly we decided to extend in the other direction and walk to Lymouth for a cup of tea by the river.

There is a normally a cliff railway operating which carries you up and down the hill but  not today, so we crazily did on foot - probably never again!  

The railway is really fabulous and well worth a trip as the views are really beautiful.  I'm not sure whether it was closed for covid, or seasonal.

This is the view from the pathway from Lynton down to Lymouth, it is a very steep hill!

View towards Lynmouth

We chose to stay at an Airbnb, but there are lots of hotels, pubs and lovely holiday rentals so you won't have a problem finding somewhere to stay, particularly out of the main season.

So, the following morning and after another breakfast at Charlie Fridays, we relocated the car down to Lynmouth for a walk to the National Trust Cafe at Watersmeet.  A real family favourite from the past.  Within 5 minutes we had spotted a dipper on the water, a tick in the box! 

The walk along the river goes gently uphill and the cafe is about 2 miles up the valley (roughly).  

Had the weather been better, the colours would have been truly stunning.  We will definitely try and repeat this time next year but most probably do a "last minute" booking for the overnight stay if good weather.

I think you really need good sunshine to see the colours in their full glory.  Lynton, Valley of the Rocks and Lynmouth have such a variety of trees and moorland shrubs that the colour of leaves are amazing.

After a quick cup of tea and walk back down the valley, we headed for home.  

One of my paintings inspired by the break (sold):

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk 

The dipper is a bird that feeds from the water and is well camouflaged so quite hard to spot.

You are likely to catch a glimpse of it on the rocks with a flash of white on the chest.  They frequently disappear under water!

Summer Clematis

 

"Summer Clematis"

Original Watercolour on paper

Well it's a hot day today, probably the warmest of the year so far and I'm sure the garden will love it as much as we do!  I have gradually added to the plants in pots in our garden this year and I've been looking for really pretty flowering plants such as sweet peas and clematis.

The clematis that I have chosen is called "Sarah Elizabeth" and has beautiful pink flowers.  The painting is inspired by, but a different colour to my plant and I think I will have to paint another when the flowers appear. 

Although putting the plants in pots is a little more high maintenance than planting them in the ground, I have the luxury of moving them around and placing them where they like to be in the sun/shade.

I'll try and share pics when the blooms appear and hopefully I'll be inspired to paint more watercolours of this very pretty subject.

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Online Tuition - harvest mouse in watercolour

 

Online tuition

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Would you like to have a go at painting this harvest mouse in watercolour?

New online tuition is available via my website showing how to bring together a few different watercolour techniques to paint this little chap.  The tuition comprises 2 online videos and lots of tips.

Grab those brushes :)

Boxing Hares - Somerset Wildlife Trust Art Auction

 

"Boxing Hares"

Original Watercolour 55cm x 35cm

Donated to Somerset Wildlife Trust art auction

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Somerset (including the levels) is the most beautiful county, ok so maybe I might be a bit biased :).  We are blessed with animals and birds such as herons, owls, badgers, hares to name a few and that's not including the smaller birds, bees, butterflies that we can all attract to our gardens and spaces around our homes.

The Somerset Wildlife Trust has an amazing website which offers events and some fabulous information as to how we can support nature within our beautiful county.

One of the jobs on my to-do list is to create a plan for the garden - so far this year we have hung a teapot for birds nesting and dotted lots of feeders around the garden.  I also have a small bee hive/hotel that will be placed amongst lots of pollinating plants that I hope to spread around in pots and containers.  

The bird feeders have been hugely successful and so far the most intriguing visitor to me has been the jackdaw - I have previously seen them as predators and "stealer of nest eggs" but having observed them more closely, I see them differently now.  I am fascinated to see them arrive in the garden within a pair - where you see one, their partner will be very close by.  They are clever and very, very aware of everything going on around them.

Although not the best photo, this jackdaw is patiently waiting for their partner to finish feeding from seeds on the grass.

Here is a link to Somerset Wildlife Trust's website and I'm sure there will be more details to follow soon regarding their online art auction.

https://www.somersetwildlife.org

Wild Primroses - watercolour, loose and simple

How to paint beautiful wild primroses loosely in watercolour

Online Tuition £10

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

The beautiful wild primrose with their clusters of pale yellow flowers are perfect to capture in watercolour.  

I tend to see them and visualise them from above, as a posy of flowers surrounded by warm green leaves.

With the purchase of my online tuition you will learn via two online videos:

• Learn how to mix leafy greens
• Play with texture in the leaves
• Practice with small flowers and shapes
• Obtain the effect of light on the petals
• Increase the contrast
• Bring all the techniques together into one painting

Bring a little spring to your day and have a go!  

Competition

 

Painting is fun and absorbing and, if there is ever a time that we need a little distraction, it is definitely now!  Do you paint already or are you a beginner?  Whatever your skill level, I welcome you to join in with my competition with the winning prize being a year's membership to Supporting All Artists. (SAA)

**Competition**

Follow my online tuition and paint a fabulous robin.  Supporting all Artists will judge the paintings and the winning artist will receive the amazing prize of a year standard membership. This includes a bi-monthly newsletter, access video on demand, exclusive offers and free postage on orders. I love my membership with them and the society is for anyone with a passion for painting and drawing.

To enter - purchase this robin tuition, please click here,  and then email me your robin painting by 20th January 2021.

Property Search

I really enjoy painting small garden birds and, although we do have a small garden, I have been really delighted to see quite a large variety of species visiting.

Next year, it would be amazing to attract some birds to nest and I have been doing a little research.  Their needs are basic; food, water, nesting - ideally they would like to feel welcome and comfortable, but most importantly they will probably start their new house search in the winter months, so it's worth starting to make your property desirable now :)

I am really keen to hang some "upside-down" teapots along the fence, away from any passing cats and buy some bird food, create a clean water source, maybe get a bird bath and lay some nesting in the pots.  

With our busy lives, personally we have tried to make our outside space to be minimal maintenance so have probably reduced the environment attractive for wildlife.  I am now trying to put some back - I have lavenders (both French and English) in pots for the bees and butterflies and they absolutely love them!  With my plans for the birds, I hope we can build back a little haven in our garden.

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Man about town

 Hand on heart I love all birds but for me, penguins are my favourite. 

They have a lovely way of nurturing their young and their quirky antics always bring a smile.  Painting-wise, it can be tricky to capture them.  If you're not careful, the black can look flat, and trying to paint yellow against black can be tricky.

Each month, I create a tips and techniques email that is sent free to anyone who has purchased my online tuition. I think, for December, I will give some info on painting penguins as a basis to how to paint with "black" in your watercolours.

If you would like to see all the online tuition available via my website, please click the link below:

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Favourite watercolour book

My all time favourite :)

This is a post that I have been meaning to write for ages.  With Christmas coming up, I thought it might be nice to share with you my favourite watercolour book and, following a quick check on Amazon, I see that it is still available in hardcover (in the uk).  So if you have space on your Christmas list, I hope that you won't be disappointed with this gem of a book.

William Lawrence (Skip), in my opinion, is a master in watercolour.  He has changed his style in recent years to work of a more abstract quality but it is wonderful that he as written a book to share his art journey with watercolour.

He is particularly good at explaining how he captures light in his work though the use of tone.  He is also very keen on exploring shapes and linking shapes within his work, it is all very inspirational. 

I do have other favourites which I will share soon.  In recent times it's fantastic that we have online access learning resources but don't forget books too,  as there are some truly brilliant ones around!

If you have any books that you'd like to share in comments below, I'd love to hear your favourites:

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

 

Painting dragonflies in watercolour

 

I have been working hard to bring my live workshops online and the latest to be available on my website is "Painting dragonflies in watercolour".  For some reason, I have seen lots this year when we've been out and about on our walks - and not necessarily by the water.  They catch your eye with that flash of iridescent colour in their bodies and wings, so lovely.

In this tuition, you will learn about choosing your blues and then progressing to experiment with capturing the transparent effect of wings whilst bringing in loose background details to the painting.  3 online videos will help you will all the subjects.

Have fun with your painting :)

"Painting dragonflies in watercolour"

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Frosty effects

As we head through autumn, I am really enjoying looking at painting some my favourite subjects in watercolour whilst at the same time creating a wintery feel to the scene.  These blue tits are and ideal subject with the cool blues in the feathers.  The continuation of these lovely colours into the background, with a little grey, help to give that cool, frosty feel.

I am very excited about new pieces for the season ahead and can't wait to share my watercolours with you.  At the same time, I am also working hard on new tuition, which will be available on my website soon.

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

The Visitor

 

"Redbreast"

It would appear that by posting this picture, I am working on festive pieces - too early?  :)  But this lovely little chap has been visiting our garden for months now, we actually noticed him during lockdown.  We would sit having a coffee in the garden and he would come and sit in the apple tree next to us.  My robin painting is inspired by him, but artistic license brings in a more festive backdrop!

Robins are so popular that my tuition (hopefully towards the end of November) will be to paint these lovely little birds. I am really looking forward to creating this.  

So, in the meantime as promised, Dragonfly tuition is next and hopefully I should be able to release this at the end of this month.

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Seasonly love

 

Autumn Leaves

The prize of the flat brush following the release of my "Rose Tutorial" is on its way to the winner of the draw.  These autumn leaves are another great subject for experimenting with this lovely brush.

Next to come is the free "tips and techniques" email (mid-month) free to anyone who purchases my online tuition.  https://www.kayeparmenter.co.uk/products/tuition/

Well, another season changing and it is always fabulous to see the leaves beginning to change colour.  The weather here in Somerset is truly awful and it has been raining now for two days solid but I am already looking at the weather forecast for brighter days.  Autumn sunshine on colourful leaves is one of those times when we can all gain inspiration, whether it's to pick up your brushes or simply to enjoy walking amongst the stunning colours and swishing through the leaves in your wellies :) 

I think we are lucky to have changing seasons here, they all have their beautiful qualities.  Although some normal autumn activities this year will be different due to the pandemic, there is still much beauty around us to enjoy in these different times.

For me, I am looking forward to packing a wonderful picnic and flask and heading out with family for a long walk with camera to enjoy the stunning colours.  

Learning to paint roses in watercolour

 

New Tuition

Have you ever struggled with painting roses, they can seen a bit daunting with the mass of overlapping petals.  Hopefully my new tuition, incorporating three online videos, will help.  Anyone who purchases the tuition before the end of September will enter a free draw to win a SAA 1" flat brush.

Also included is a free monthly "tips and techniques" email.  

Have fun painting :)

Kaye x

Setting the tone

 

This tomato features in my latest tips and techniques email "setting the tone" which explains a great technique that I use in most of my paintings.  You can get the monthly emails free when. you purchase any of my online tuition.

Coming very soon is the latest tuition for painting roses in watercolour.  Alongside this, there are lots of others to choose from including otters,  blackbirds, fuchsia and many more.

Online tuition

I do hope to inspire you with your watercolours, it is such a magical medium.

Kaye x

Butterfly inspiration

Purchase Card

If anyone would like a recommendation for a plant which will attract bees and butterflies to the garden, lavender is my call! 

A small pot of English Lavender in the garden kept this little white butterfly busy for ages and I was able to watch with fascination and take lots of photographs for reference with my paintings.  French lavender is amazing too and the bees seem particularly attracted to this.  This little original watercolour which is available to purchase from my website is the basis of an idea for some larger paintings.  

The painting is ideal for framing and has gorgeous purple, blue and pink hues - would look lovely in white or grey frame.

My pots of lavender are looking a little tired now and I'm thinking of planting them in the garden to make sure there the insects have lots to feed on next year.  I know that buddleia is also popular with butterflies, so that might be the next addition to the garden.

Happy days x

 

 

Lyme Regis Crabbing

"Lyme Regis Crabbing"

Original Watercolour

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

One evening last year I visited Lyme Regis to make sketches, take photos and soak up the atmosphere for inspiration.  

It was an amazing evening, not a cloud in the sky and the town was bustling which was absolutely perfect for wandering and just stopping to observe.  I have about 50 or so photos which I have been studying and this first painting was inspired by the children sitting along the harbour side with crab lines dangling over the edge into the water.

The low sun facing the building on the Cobb hasn't given me many shadows to play with, but the water was a gorgeous deep blue and the light fell on the stone rim of the wall and sides of the boats.  But of course, my focal point is my small fisherman, leaning precariously over the edge to try and get his catch!

©kayeparmenter 2020

Cheeky Chap

"Charlie"

Private Commission

©kayeparmenter2020

www.kayeparmenter.co.uk

Anyone who knows me, understands how much I love dogs and how much I enjoy painting them. I can't believe we don't actually have a dog - well, that's another story!

So here is gorgeous Charlie, and the thing I enjoyed most about creating this painting was the energetic brush strokes to get those fabulous curls.  Allowing them to blend into the background gives a sense of movement and energy.  Hopefully I've managed to capture Charlie's personality in this painting.  I have a busy week ahead of me in the studio and that includes a couple of dog commissions so I'll have more to share in the future :)

Whiter shade of pale

Private Commissions

"Neeko" Centre

©Kaye Parmenter 2020

Commissions

Neeko is the latest addition to my commission portfolio.  Although sadly gone but not forgotten, he was a breed called Lhasa apso.  They are considered to be affectionate and great companions.  Along with the other characters in this montage, I had a lovely opportunity to capture his gorgeous furry, hairy face in watercolour.  It's never a problem for me as painting dogs is up there amongst my favourite subjects!

As ever, my painting starts with the eyes.  I really look hard to try and capture the personality of my subject and the eyes are the "window' to the soul.  Behind each painting is a character that brings love, laughs and a bond that really is indescribable. 

Thank you to everyone who gives me the chance to capture their loved ones in watercolour, it is always truly appreciated x