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Reflections of Autumn.......

25/9/2014

"Reflections of Autumn" - original watercolour by Glenn Marshall

Have you noticed that autumn is upon us? Of course you have - the nights are drawing in and there's a 'nip' in the air. For a painter autumn has much to offer with misty mornings and a rich variety of browns, reds and oranges as the trees start to switch off for the winter season. I have always been fascinated by reflections in water so this painting was an ideal opportunity to marry the autumnal colours with one of my favourite subjects. But this year there is an added attraction for us as the season begins. It is only four weeks this Sunday until we hang our 'Double Vision' exhibition at Bridlington Spa.I can't believe it is now so near after all the planning over the last two years. This is a joint exhibition featuring the combined talents of myself and my wife - Merice Ewart Marshall. It runs from October 27th until 27th November 2014. Open daily from about 10.00 am, entry is free and the coffee at the Spa is excellent so many reasons to come and share it with us. One or both of us will be there most days from lunchtime onwards and we are also planning a series of special events, the details of which I will publish nearer the time....so watch this space!

Check out more paintings by Glenn Marshall

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Inspiration and the iPad.....

22/9/2014

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"Road Home to Wharfedale"
iPad Painting
by
Glenn Marshall

I love my watercolours. For me it is the perfect medium. I like the fact that there is always an element of chance when using watercolours and you have to learn to accept this and go with it. However painting with the iPad is the complete opposite - it gives me total control over everything. There are some great advantages of this new medium. First and foremost It is just so convenient. No materials or setting up is required - just you and your fingers (and a stylus for detailed work)! No mess and no clearing up afterwards - that has got to be plus too. I can paint anywhere with the iPad indoors or outdoors. For example I once worked on some book illustrations in a hospital waiting room. It's worth stating too that you do not need an internet connection to use your painting app. So which app is the best? I don't know - I use a free app and all the paintings in my iPad Gallery were done with Drawcast. Typical tight Yorkshireman I can hear you say. Well no actually....for once! I have bought several apps out of the many out there and while they all have their good points I always go back to Drawcast simply because it is the most user friendly for an old fogey like me. It is simple and easy to use so I can concentrate on the painting rather than the technology. The painting above well illustrates the versatility of the iPad. Based on an oil painting by John Atkinson Grimshaw this is a lovely composition and combination of light and reflections balanced by detailed trees and banks of the road. And we can't forget the mysterious lady. What's she up to at this time of night? Thanks to the iPad I have been able to portray the subtle nuances of colour and tone almost like the oil painting itself. Part of my new iPad Gallery I think this is quite an acceptable tribute to one of my favourite artists. Glenn

Please have a look at my iPad Gallery

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Early Spring on Strensall Common

17/9/2014

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"Early Spring on Strensall Common" - original watercolour by Glenn Marshall

I hope you have had a good summer this year and had the chance to enjoy lots of time in the great outdoors. But can you remember back to February? It was a good bit cooler and we still had some snow on the ground in parts of Yorkshire. I used to live close to Strensall Common and it was a source of inspiration from the moment I began to paint. It is an area of wilderness just a few miles from York City centre. Used as an Army firing range it has been protected from encroachment by developers and urban sprawl and still retains vestiges of the once great Galtres Forest that stretched from York to Northumberland. It is a magical place full of surprises .....and adders so watch where you step! Glenn

More paintings by Glenn Marshall

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"Tunnel of Trees near Kilham"

1/9/2014

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"Tunnel of Trees"
Original watercolour
by Glenn Marshall
16" x 12"

This is the most famous 'tunnel' of trees in existence. Why? This is the tunnel of trees that figured so prominently in the world famous "Bigger Picture" exhibition by David Hockney at the Royal Academy. It's only a few miles from where I live and you can see why he used it so much- it is such a strong composition. Competing with the world's greatest living artist should have been too daunting a proposition but I was as captivated with the scene as he was and felt I just had to paint it for myself. The dark shadows clinched it for me and I loved the contrast with them and the bright summer sunlight. I painted it quickly using lots of 'marks' but in a bold energetic way. I'm very pleased with the effect I achieved - a sort of 'impressionism' verging on the semi abstract. Let me know what you think about it. This will be featured in our 'Double Vision' exhibition from 27th October - 27th November at Bridlington Spa. I hope to be available most afternoons to chat about the paintings and art in general and would love to see you there. Entry is free and the Spa cafe does an excellent coffee and cake! Glenn

Check out more paintings by Glenn Marshall

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Reflections of Autumn.......

Inspiration and the iPad.....

Early Spring on Strensall Common

"Tunnel of Trees near Kilham"

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