Seeking Shade

Hello Lovelies,

my but it's hot around here at the moment. On Thursday morning I headed out for a walk and found myself looking for the shady side of the street..............

I decided not to go too far and simply wandered along noticing as many of the small details as I could..........

The sky was full of thin wispy clouds as I headed past the horse field............streaks of white across the beautiful blue............

I was looking for somewhere pretty to sit and had the church yard in mind, but as I got nearer I could here the noisy buzz of a petrol strimmer. I decided to sit on the little bench that looks at the parish war memorial instead...............

It's next to the clump of Lavender, which was attracting many butterflies.............

The reason I wanted to sit down was because I had decided to try painting outdoors. Well, the weather is so nice and I've been feeling inspired by THIS sort of post.

I had an old pencil case of the boys containing a little watercolour paintbox and those blank postcards I used for THIS drawing..............

along with a pencil, two brushes and a pot of water.

My paintbox looks well used because it's not mine, but one of mums.
 I know I'm lucky to have someone who generously gives me art materials if I show an interest in their passion.

It's a great, handy design is easy to transport about and use............

It's   THIS one

I quickly drew my view, not worrying about much detail, and got painting. It's tricky working outdoors. The sun was on my paper which meant much squinting, and I was a little worried someone would come along and ask to see my work. I also forgot to take any kitchen roll or tissues ( which are great to blot any mistakes and clean your brush )

But 20 minutes later I had done enough to feel I had got the essence of the view.

I liked the jolly colours  left on my palette...............

And  this is what I had painted....still wet..........

It made me smile, but I also felt that I had really noticed and appreciated this simple, lovingly tended memorial to three young men from a small village ( two of them with the same surname ), who died almost one hundred years ago.

The sunshine made my picture dry quickly and I was soon able to resume my shade seeking walk.

One last look back to where I sat from the shade of the church yard...........

Through the kissing gate.........

And under the mature trees ..........

I love the dappled sunlight.

The Maple trees here have fully formed "helicopters". It does seem early............

Further along the sheep have the same idea as me..............

and so do the calves..............

That field of tall grass I photographed on last weeks walk is now turning into hay...........

I'm close to home, but decide to walk a little further........along this path.............

To see what the wheat looks like now, I love the biscuit coloured fields..........It  looks like a wonderful harvest...............

On the way home I spot the first Dahlias in a neighbours garden......another stunning summer sight..............

It was only a short walk, two and a half miles, but lovely all the same. 

Yesterday I decided to add a little pen detail and writing to my watercolour sketch...........

I'm really pleased with this simple little reminder  of a walk, and some outdoor painting, on a hot summers day.

Thank you all for your encouraging comments on my previous painting. You lovelies are a wonderfully supportive bunch.
It means a lot.
Jacquie x