Kisimul Castle View.

Kisimul Castle view.

Kisimul Castle from Castlebay on the Isle of Barra, Scotland.

This bland, poorly composed and low resolution photo is the reference image for my next drawing. It may not look much but it’s inspired me to create a dark and moody painting.

“Kisimul Castle, Isle of Barra”.

Pastel on white drawing paper, approx 146mm x 90mm.

Subdued colours and dark tones make for a brooding and moody interpretation of Kisimul Castle, protecting the village of Castlebay.

“A Break in the Rain at Loch Brittle.”

Pastel on smooth, white 300gsm paper, approx 102mm x 113mm.

We’d been confined to our tent all day as it had been raining heavily. Then just before sunset the rain stopped and we celebrated with a walk along the loch, thanking the weather gods.

Kisimul Castle sketch.

6B pencil on drawing paper.

There wasn’t much going on in the reference photo so I changed the orientation to portrait and added some foreground diagonals and colour notes.

Dunollie Castle view.

Dunollie Castle ruins in Oban, Scotland.

An early morning, atmospheric photo taken way back in 2007. The reference photo for my next pastel painting.

Pencil sketches, A6 sketchbook (and a pebble holding the page flat).

I'd like to thank @edinburgh-by-the-sea for the help that have unknowingly given me.

I was struggling to draw landscapes because I couldn't simplify them until I found photos by @edinburgh-by-the-sea .

The composition of their photos is wonderful, they have an 'eye' which is distinctively theirs and it really appeals to me.

So I studied their photos and made super quick, shape sketches of them and now I'm able to see in a way that can simplify a landscape.

Huge thanks again to @edinburgh-by-the-sea, your creativity has made such a difference to me.

P.S. I hope you don't mind me posting my versions of your photos. I forgot to ask first and they don't do your photos justice at all.