A corner of the Loire
I have an exciting event happening in Corréze on Saturday, which I’ll talk about later. And on Monday I’m leaving for Helsinki for 3 days. I’ll be in contact when I’m back end of next week.
I captured (tried to!) a corner of the Loire just after we had floods coming past this way a week ago, sweeping the trees and branches and all kinds of debris across the river, leaving us with gray and turmoil water. This is a corner under the overhanging trees. I never try to catch the realism in a scene, but rather the motion and emotion. The water is much calmer than it is portrayed here and much darker. More sinister. My contrasts could’ve been stronger and my shapes more linear. This was done from a few photos I took. I’ll have another go at it again sometime, probably rather on the spot, which gives a painting so much more spontaneity, and the atmosphere does get carried over onto the paper. Not that it is so much fun sitting there in the mud, in the cold, in the wet next to the water…but I’ve been complaining so much lately about missing nature, being wild and free with the animals, that I should zip my mouth now and sit my sit…
…disquiet…
Done in watercolour and pen lines added afterwards on Fabriano artistico watercolour block HP extra white, 30x23cm(11,8″ x9″)
Wow–this is absolutely beautiful! I love your artwork, Ronell. It never disappoints.
November 20, 2008 at 6:43 pm
You’ve really captured a sense of moodiness and mystery in this piece. I like it a lot!
November 20, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I love looking at youart work, Ronell! You have such a loose, yet singular style – I’d recognize your pieces anywhere.
The fam and buubles of the water and the reflections are wonderful!
November 20, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I think the atmosphere did get carried over, anyway, Ronell:
Churning, tumbling and erasing boundaries– wild and beautiful like a stampede but just as frightening.
November 20, 2008 at 10:42 pm
The turmoil and drama of this event are perfectly captured.
November 20, 2008 at 10:45 pm
You certainly captured it alright!! Great atmosphere to this.
November 20, 2008 at 11:06 pm
what a texture! great!
November 21, 2008 at 12:59 am
Beautiful, Ronell. I really feel the turmoil.
November 22, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Great texture and atmosphere, Ronell this painting takes me there. You’ve captured movement and atmosphere and that is not easy from a photo.
Have a wonderful trip.
November 23, 2008 at 12:38 pm
There’s a lovely transparency to the water. Nice job.
November 25, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I’m attracted to your water too–the colors pull me in!
November 27, 2008 at 1:41 am
A wonderful watercolour! My late husband and I spent a magical two days at Samur on the Loire in 2001.
Ah, yes, South Africans are great for nostalgia for the dust, the sunshine, the Greek cafe on the corner, the Cape Argus, Afrikaans mixed with English, the friendly calls of ‘Hullo, mama. How are you?’ from complete strangers who are not really strangers, the oaks trees at Stellenbosch, the seagulls at Cape Town harbour, the insects in the bushveld and a hot sunny Christmas on the front stoep! Well, we miss you too but your life in France sounds idyllic! Groete! Eleanor from Thatchwick in Pretoria.
November 27, 2008 at 11:14 am
Gorgeous, as usual.
December 4, 2008 at 5:04 am