MOORINGS AT CRABTREE LANE – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

Another view of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Burscough in Lancashire. It’s a place that I’ve painted before but here I dwelt on the cluster of shapes created by the narrowboats and houses and in doing so made it a portrait format. This format also allowed the full reflections of trees and posts. The bankside vegetation also added interesting detail.

At this point on the canal is a narrow swing bridge – partially visible on the left which allows traffic to cross the canal.

Other canal scenes are available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

THE OLD BRIDGE – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

I’m sure this bridge has a name, but it isnt marked on any map as it is now just part of a barely used footpath crossing the Leeds to Liverpool Canal at Lydiate, north Liverpool. When I’ve walked the path I recall a sign directing you to the named bridge.

I was taken by the layers of light and shade and the shadows on the bridge as I turned to look at it whilst walking along the edge of a field alongside the canal. I painted this a while ago, and it got put into the pile only to be rediscovered a few days ago when I was having a sort out for an exhibition.

Other canal scenes are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

LESS IS MORE – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

Another one from last week’s cycle rides. This is part of the Leeds Liverpool Canal. I liked the light coming in through the trees on the left and dappling the bridge.

Following my half imperial painting I showed two posts back, I used the other half of the sheet for this painting. I was really taken with the light coming in through the plane trees on the left and the coda of the building on the far left – see below.

But with it I had a foreground expanse with little going on. I threw a quarter imperial mount on the finished painting it and discovered a much more succinct image.

Now it’s cut for a quarter imperial mount – so there’s no going back.

Other canal paintings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

MIST ON THE CANAL – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

A long format for a view of the Leeds to Liverpool canal on a cool autumn morning. It is a favourite angling spot of a friend of mine who catches more objects than fish from these waters.

Other views of the canal are available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

CANAL SIDE – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

One to stir up the Troll. Its snide, anonymous comments continue – well I presume that they do, as for the last few weeks I have found a way of discarding without viewing their content. I assume this will continue as canal scenes seem to trigger a bigger tirade of ire than most other topics.

Perhaps this tactic may result in discarding a comment from someone who has a serious point to make, but in my eyes the risk is worth it.

So here is a calming winter scene by the Leeds to Liverpool Canal – well it calms me.

Other canal scenes are available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

Approaching the Saracen’s Head – Watercolour Painting

The Saracen’s Head is the name of the pub and restaurant you can just see on the right. Using a zoom lens I was able to stand on a bend and get a view of the canal as if you were approaching in a narrow boat.

The pub is quite a good place to eat and, according to my mate, the fishing isnt too bad around here also, as he is often to be seen on the other side of the bridge that you can see up ahead, sitting with his rod as he passes the hours.

Other canal scenes are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

THE CANAL FISHING COMPETITION – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

When we went for a walk along the canal the other week I looked over the bridge at the start and saw that there was a fishing competition going on in one direction. In the other direction there wasnt anyone, so we headed off on the deserted tow-path. As soon as we rounded the first bend, there they were. It was almost as if they had prepared a trap for the unwary.

The trouble with walking along the canal with a fishing competition, apart from losing the sense of solitude, is the fact that their long poles, which stretch right across the canal, can block your path when they pull them back and put more bait on the hook. Fortunately this branch only spread a mile down the canal and after that all was clear, quiet and unimpeded.

On the way back they repaid me for their intrusion with this view into the low winter sun. Let’s call it quits.

Other canal scenes are available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

CANAL PATH – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

I decided to return to watercolours and build up some canal paintings. This was a contra jour scene I spotted recently. I loved the weeds and rushes at the canal edge in the foreground. I decided to add a narrowboat, mainly to upset troll. Then, dropping some white gouache onto the wet paper gives the satisfying illusion of smoke. I’m easily pleased.

Other canal scenes are available for sale on my revamped website: grahammcquadefineart.com

GOING NOWHERE, FOR NOW -WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

The exhibition looms and I was unhappy with some of my canal scenes and decided to add a few more and make a decision from a wider field. This is another version of one I did plein air last May/June and posted. I really liked the light on the tarpaulin and the weeds growing around the boat.

Other canal scenes are available for sale on my website, as indeed is this one, grahammcquadefineart.com

A SHADY PLACE TO MOOR – WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS

More paintings for the exhibition. I thought one of the canal might be worth a punt, so I need to chose between these two.

Though I may do a series of canal scenes for later in the year so I could always use the one left over, but – and here’s the good news – I will need a few more to make up a series. That’ll cheer the troll up if nothing else.

Other canal scenes are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com