Kisimul Castle, Isle Of Barra.

“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.

"Dunollie Point", Oban, Scotland.

Finished painting. Pastel on paper, approx 110mm x 60mm.

2. Preparatory sketch. 6B pencil on paper.

With a * to remind me to reverse out what I had drawn when it came to the final piece.

The colour note ‘orange’ didn’t work when I tried adding a warmer shade so I decided to keep the palette cool and blue.

3. The reference photo.

Taken from the north pier in Oban, Scotland.

The trees are what caught my eye here and I’m always drawn to silhouettes.

“Hebridean Machair” no. 2.

Pastel on 160gsm ingres paper, approx 110mm x 60mm.

Remembering a sunny day on the Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. There wasn’t a breath of wind, the insects could be heard among the wild flowers of the machair and the sun warmed my bones.

Pencil sketch, 6B pencil on paper.

The Isle of Mull behind the silhouette of the Isle of Kerrera. A view from Oban, mainland Scotland where the sunsets are spectacular.

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.

“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.