Enniscorthy - Loch Garman

[Grapes]

This pleinair is from this summer when I went to paint pleinair to Ireland.
The event is Art in the Open organized in Wexford (Loch Garman) city and further away around the county. It's the biggest pleinair event in Europe and this yr organized 18th time. That day they took us to Enniscorthy.

I've been meaning to change some areas in this painting but am not finished with it yet so I post here the pleinair on location.

"Enniscorthy - Loch Garman", oil on Belgian linen, 35x45 cm (about: 14x18 in)

In the photo above you can see people on the other side of the river. They are painting pleinair and actually there was a workshop happening part of the day.

The weather kept changing. First cloudy, then some rain showers and in between sun shine. Slaney river is mysterious in every weather.

The castle closer.

 

[Joy]

How wonderful! What a privilege to paint in this event. You painting is excellent; I don't know how you did this and rendered little details (like the Irish flag atop) so well. Just the hint of the background structures was perfect. Could you please post a photo of just the painting, so it can be enjoyed more?

Amazing you were out there doing that when I was elbow to elbow with tourists about the same time in Dublin. Starting a thread about some of the art I viewed during my trip is on my " to do" list, but next week I am going on holiday again so I am preparing for that.

 

[Grapes]

Joy, thanks!
I was also spending time elbow to elbow in the bus that took us to the venues. Some came by their own cars and that seemed so much handy.
Going through photos from our travels is hard work so no hurry with them. I'm posting belated, too. Enjoy your holidays!

 

[Enyaw]

Your lack of fear comes through. Great plein air.

 

[Grapes]

Thanks, Wayne!
There was an artist from Belfast painting close to me and she told me that if I try to get the castle structure right and have hard time with it then that's not me. The castle itself is built wrong, she said. Go figure.

 

[Donna T]

Grapes, I am in awe of both your painting and the fact that you attempted such a complex subject. If I had been in your shoes my first step would have been to panic, then I would probably have tried to paint the distinctive shape of the top of the castle, maybe with a tree in there too. No way could I have done the castle, the people, the bridge ... all while the weather was changing. You really have some plein air skills! I have to wonder about the comment about the castle being built wrong since it's been standing there for so long!

 

[Jade]

This looks amazing Grapes. Like Joy, I'd love to see more of the painting. The bit about the castle been built wrong made me laugh. My family is Irish and I have heard lots of things like that over the years

 

[Grapes]

Donna & Jade, thank you for your comments!

Donna, your right it is challenging to paint in a changing weather. I've often heard painters mentioning it but never really understood until I painted in Ireland!

Jade, that is interesting what they say about the castle structures in Ireland!! Hmmm .. need to get more information about this .. it was very unexpected and peculiar comment from this other artist painting next to me.
I was very fascinated also that all the road signs and car plates had locations in Irish language!! I also heard Irish spoken with family members. Some families father spoke English but mother Irish to their kids.

Jade & Joy, most of the photos of this painting turned out quite bad, too much light. I don't know what happened.
I've now been working some more on this pleinair because I didn't like some parts of it and I'm still struggling to get it done. Will take better photos and post them later.

 

[Jade]

Hi Grapes, Not so much about castles in particular, but just quite contrary, unusual things. Like a family member who's date of birth was "wrong" !

Look forward to seeing more of this painting.. it looks very good to me.

 

[Grapes]

unusual things .. yes, but the country itself is amazing, exceptional, precious .. everything

This painting is my personal fav. so I just kinda want to finish it real well for personal reasons .. better than never before → just one problem ... I don't know how to do that

 

[Jade]

Hehe. It is a beautiful country.

I understand. I imagine sometimes paintings can need "percolating" maybe till the time of right even to tweak...

 

[Joy]

I tinker so very much with watercolors, if I tried to start painting with oils, the layers would make for a painting too heavy to carry! How wonderful that you are so talented to be able to do this and be part of this event.

 

[Grapes]

Joy, the artist painting next to me, the lady from Belfast l mentioned earlier, she painted with watercolor. There are some artists doing pastel, drawing, couple of urban sketchers etc. So, you could do the event if you wanted.