Pendle Hill from Norber Erratics

Pendle from Norber, Oil on Board 8" x 6"

Geomorphology lesson: Glacial Erratics are defined as rocks of a different nature to the native geology to where they are found. These massive boulders were deposited by the retreating ice sheets around 12,000 years ago, some of these are on limestone pedestals, like golfballs on their tees, this is caused by the erratic being of a different geological composition protecting the ground on which it stands from the effects of chemical weathering hence the surrounding land level had dropped.

It is a fascinating place, and very popular amongst landscape photographers, and indeed I was spoilt as to which one to paint. I eventually settled on these, looking south against the light, plus there was the added bonus of there being a table-shaped boulder on which I could empty all my stuff and happily perch to paint. Most of this was painted on site, but due to concerns about frostbite and exposure, hypothermia etc I decided to finish it off in the studio once I had defrosted.

Wharfe

The View to Wharfe. Oil on Board 10" x 8"

The name Whafe is derived from the Old Norse hverfr which is loosely translated as winding river, or bend, this view is painted from the Wood Lane track, to the south east of Austwick looking towards the pretty little hamlet of Wharfe, in the late autumn sunlight. I tried to capture the tonal changes associated with this time of year and with the use of counterchange bring the view to life. The hill in the distance is looking towards the Moughton plateau, an upland limestone block with some fantastic limestone pavements and karst features.

Salmon Run, Stainforth Foss

Salmon Run, Stainforth Foss, Oil on board 12" x 12"

Salmon Run, Stainforth Foss 12" x 12" Oil on Board. Painted from a photo taken at this year's Salmon Run up the Ribble. It's still incredible to think that these creatures, born and bred in the gravel beds of the upper reaches of the river, spend most of their mature lives out at sea, and then return by some almost magical process (known as magnetoception) to their own childhood home, to spawn and die... and that without the use of GPS or maps... I know we should not put human values on the life cycle of animals - but it is still amazing!

Lost in Wharfe

Lost in Wharfe, Oil on board 8" x 10"

Wharfe is a tiny hamlet about a mile east of Austwick, the only settlement in the ridiculously pretty little Crumackdale, one of the lesser known and least visited of the Yorkshire Dales. The couple in the painting were constantly looking at their map to check their route through this metropolis... I managed a snap of them when they resolved their orienteering difficulties down the leaf-strewn paths of the hamlet.

Where the Ducks Play Football

Where the Ducks Play Football,  Oil on Board 19" x 12"

Autumn light, Ilkley Moor

Ilkley is the start (or finish) to the Dales Way, so I guess it can be included in the Dales Landscapes category. The painting tries to capture the low fading light of the sun setting behind the mass of gritstone that makes up Ilkley Moor. The tor-like outcrops of Millstone Grit are the famous Cow and Calf rocks, and it is a place very close to my heart. As a kid I remember getting fish and chips from Harry Ramsdens at Guiseley, heading up on to the moors for our picnic, and afterwards exploring the rocks and quarries beyond. The title of the piece is taken from one of the adlib additions to the Yorkshire Anthem, On Ilkley Moor Ba'tat, a song that every self-respecting Yorkshireman knows off by heart!

Stainforth Foss

T'Foss (Stainforth) - Oil on Board 19" x 12"

Incorrectly called Stainforth 'Force' by the OS, the Foss is a series of waterfalls over which the Ribble flows, in summer it's the watery playground of a plethora of 'youth', in late Autumn its one of the gathering point for fishwatchers as the salmon struggle their way upstream to the headwaters of the river for the purpose of procreation (this I can never understand). It is an iconic place and a fairly iconic image, as it has been painted and sketched a number of times. But I can safely say this is the first painting since the bridge has been fixed (this time). The packhorse bridge is only 6foot wide at the parapet, and despite warning signs to the effect, it still doesn't stop people attempting to cross it in their Chelsea tractors.