Posted by Stephen Quirke on April 9, 2012 under landscape, Lesotho, watercolor | 
Here is a quick posting of the studio version of the plains at Thaba Nchu near Bloemfontein. There is a special zone in the middle distance where the right amount of detail can bring a painting to life. I want to give this another go soon:
mmmm – the colours were not that saturated – must be the flash. And the undulating landscape makes me feel a little seasick – heh heh – next time
This is on Arches 300gm Cold Pressed – 280x390mm
Posted by Stephen Quirke on March 31, 2012 under Art, en plein air, Lesotho, watercolor, watercolour |
Last week this time I was working with a most interesting and energetic team at Malalea Lodge in Lesotho. I had my smallest watercolour set with me, as well as some sheets of paper, but did not have a chance to sit and paint at the Lodge. We worked really hard. It was wonderful. But I suffer from interaction fatigue and I was thankful that I had a few hours to relax the next day.
I left Maseru early on Sunday morning to return to Cape Town and had a morning to take it easy before my flight to from Bloemfontein. Although it was raining when I crossed the border, I took a dirt road of the main route and drifted slowly through the undulating farmlands. The road took me back to the river I had crossed to leave Lesotho. The drizzle slowly let up and I found a field sloping down the river where I could sit and appreciate the view. The farmers in the area use the lenticular blocks of Cave Sandstone (from the Clarins Formation) to create the corner fence posts and gate posts for their fields. So I decided to paint this one.
As I sat and painted the Sunday Morning sounds from Maseru drifted across the valley, snatches of music, women ululating and a marching band. Distant and an unobtrusive. A farmer cruised past in his bakkie. We waved a greeting. What a pleasant morning. Just a little everyday magic.
The painting is on Arches 300gm paper and is 190x280mm. the blotches on the paper are from the light rain that fell as I sat on rock to paint. (When I finished the painting I put the rock back where I found it – which I think is the polite thing to do.)
You can see exactly where I sat on Google Maps at 29°14’59.47″S and 27°31’16.63″E – which I think is quite cool.
When I had finished I cruised ever so lazily to Ladybrand and on to the N8 to Bloem.
I stopped near Botshabelo to change and pack my stuff for flying. I had a very short time so I did this little painting of the plains. I was a bit pre-occupied about getting on the flight which shows I think.
I will try another from the photo I took. The veld was so full of subtle colours. This is on the same paper as the first.
And then I tootled off to Bloem and flew home to my dear wife and kids.
Posted by Stephen Quirke on October 1, 2010 under Art, en plein air, Freestate, landscape, Lesotho, painting |
I am sitting at Bloemfontein airport waiting for my flight to Cape Town. I have just done some work for a most delightful client in Lesotho and left Maseru early this morning to avoid the expected congestion at the Maseru bridge border post. For the last few days I have been living in the middle of the most stunning scenery in the Lesotho Highlands but have been so focussed on the work I was doing that I have not been able to paint. Well, I set that record straight on the way back to the airport.
Tenniskop – 190x280mm on 185gm arches cold pressed.
Read more of this article »
Follow Me!