Narrow Boats on the Union Canal – Acrylic and Ink in a Watercolour Moleskine
This is the view of the boats stuck in ice near my house. The scene reminded me of Franklin’s expedition to find the North West Passage or Shackleton’s ill-fated, yet successful, venture to the southern waters. It was around -10C when I videoed this scene and the complete video, shaky hands and all, can be see at:
More and more people are staying on these narrow boats as an alternative way of life although I could see only one, of the dozen or so moored in this part of the world, occupied. It must be cold inside as most of these boats have metal hulls.
The latest news, as described in my previous post, regarding the Bonspiel is not good. The match has been cancelled on the grounds of “Health and Safety” despite the ice being thick enough. I wonder how my predecessors managed to survive?
This is a painting study reproducing the lovely work from a...
likeabalalaika 9:04 am on January 10, 2010 | #
You do such beautiful work! Love the accompanying video too. Despite the crazy coldness at the moment this is such a beautiful scene that really captures the crispness of an early morning. Makes me appreciate this rather unusual spell we’re having.
P.S. the “brrrr” tag is great!
trebor61 9:26 am on January 10, 2010 | #
This is very kind of you and much appreciated. My friend, John, and I were discussing the beauty of the snow recently and are agreed that it needs to be better welcomed rather than, as the media would have use believe, to be be somehow feared. PS the tag is to make up for my inferior spelling
renefijten 9:27 am on January 10, 2010 | #
Lovely scene, I always liked narrow boats and the canals in the UK. I read a book about Franklin once “die entdeckung der langsamkeit” (in german), that was some trips he made. And even more bitter cold than what we are complaining about.
renefijten 9:27 am on January 10, 2010 | #
BTW, Loved the video, you live in a beautful place.
trebor61 9:55 am on January 10, 2010 | #
Appreciate the nice comments Rene and I know this book, – The discover of slowness by Sten Nadolny. I’ve probably read everything about the great polar expeditions in the past including some stuff like this. Isn’t the world a small place?
renefijten 9:57 am on January 10, 2010 | #
Yes that’s the one, Nadolny. One of these books that stick.
KirbysArt 10:59 am on January 10, 2010 | #
Bob you nailed it. Awesome acrylic and ink painting. I checked your youtube video Wow!!. Its packed with snow. Whats that little car there covered in snow.
~Kirby
Linda Bachrach 11:51 am on January 10, 2010 | #
This painting is the epitome of “cold”, and the colors and details are so lovely! I think this is one of, if not your best sketch. Enjoyed your video too.
Andrew Spanoudakis 12:01 pm on January 10, 2010 | #
beautiful…love the detail of the house peaks above the tree line. A camera could never put the emphasis on it the way your drawing does
trebor61 12:45 pm on January 10, 2010 | #
Good of you all to send me such nice comments.
Kirby – you will have to help me identify which car. Can you tell me where in the video?
Linda. Glad you like my “cold” scenes. A bit different, I suspect, from your part of the world. Strangely enough, the temperature rose above 0C this afternoon but, probably due to a freshening wind, it felt much colder than at anytime over the past few weeks.
Andrew – The houses have an unusual nickname. Instead of the “East Croft Estate”, their proper name, they are known locally as “The Wimpey” after the name of the builder who erected them in the 1960′s. Its a strange habit we Scots have. We are always changing things. Must be the boredom
KirbysArt 3:13 pm on January 10, 2010 | #
It looks like a Mini Cooper beige color. Its on hyour video at 2:13.
~Kirby
karlitos 3:46 pm on January 10, 2010 | #
Brrr, que frio. Buen dibujo y buen video. Saludos.
Nuria 6:03 pm on January 10, 2010 | #
Wonderful!.
trebor61 3:01 am on January 11, 2010 | #
Kirby – this is one of the old Renaults – I’m not sure which as I had to look at the video. I went back to the anal, yesterday, but the vehicle had been moved.
trebor61 3:01 am on January 11, 2010 | #
Gracias por los comentarios de Niza, Karlitos y Nuria
Ziza 9:20 am on January 11, 2010 | #
so full of beauty = beautiful!
Norty 11:44 am on January 11, 2010 | #
I don’t know what more I can add to all the comments except that I loved looking at this and think you are a master a capturing landscapes which is one of my greatest weakness. I also like the description/background that you add.
Nick Powell 3:39 pm on January 11, 2010 | #
I loved the video on you tube you should have given a commentary so we new what you sound like.But I did enjoy the muffled quiet that the snow causes. Most of it has gone from round here [south London] but just 2 miles south its still thick.Were there footprints on the canal in one place I could see? I love the snow and agree that it becomes demonized in the press, we sound embrace the beauty the weather brings in the different seasons of the year not wish them away!
I love any extreme weather it makes me feel alive!!!!!
Great picture as well.
trebor61 3:48 am on January 12, 2010 | #
Thank you Ziza – Just following your own example
trebor61 3:53 am on January 12, 2010 | #
Hi Norty. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You do not have weaknesses. You will find your own level and, with lots or regular practise, should experience great results. I’m no “master” as you point out. Just someone who is slowly getting to a decent level of competence by painting often. As I do this I am learning to control the stuff better and daily figure out different ways to do it. Thanks for the complement but you could do a lot worse than to look at the varied and terrific stuff which others put on Skineart
trebor61 3:58 am on January 12, 2010 | #
Hi Nick. Thanks for this. Glad you like the video. Do you really want to hear what I sound like? If so why not join us on Skype – see Forums http://www.skineart.com/forums/topic.php?id=98
Even if you do not have a web cam and sound you could join our text discussions. (You can hear and see incoming messages even if you cannot transmit them) There are details, in this forum article, as well as my email address, if you are interested.