I had a dream about travelling around Scotland to sketch and paint the beautiful landscape. I fulfilled this dream in March 2023.
There were three places that I wanted to visit to paint and therefore planned my route around Dunnottar Castle, Egol and Arisaig. I had visited these locations previously and had some great memories.
I travelled on my own and therefore I was able to stop where I liked and take my time to sketch whatever inspired me. I intended to use the skills I had acquired from Patchings and also a course I attended earlier in the year at Higham Hall, which was led by Lionel Playford.
I took a large number of materials including acrylics, pastels, inks and watercolours. I found acrylic paints difficult to handle in the open and therefore used primarily watercolour and drew with pencil and graphite.
The places that I stayed at are listed below, but the route actually took me through some beautiful countryside such as the Cairngorms, Scottish Lowlands, Trossachs and culminating in seeing the Jacobite steam train coming across the viaduct at Glenfinnan.
I endured only two days of rain on my travels as well as a little snow. The scenery was stunning and inspired me to paint a number of works and also fill two sketch books.
I discovered a number of interesting people and places along the way.
