Moon setting over Threipmuir Reservoir, Pentland Hills – Indian Ink with white acrylic highlights in a Watercolour Moleskine
Threipmuir Reservoir was built in the 1840s to supply Edinburgh with clean water. It doesn’t fulfil this function today but, instead, is a haven for wild fowl and many different types of plants. The waters are stocked with brown trout and are fished regularly. The reservoir lies to the north of the Pentland Hills and one of its features is a very comfortable “hide” used by bird watchers. It is usually open to anyone who wishes to use it and this is where this scene is recently from, copied from a photograph taken around 2.00am just as the moon was setting. Dawn breaks very early at this time of year in our parts. In just over an hour the sun heralded another day of beautiful sunny weather. Mind you! Being so high up its not always as calm as this here.
roseindigo 9:57 am on June 7, 2009 | #
Not sure about the heavy ink lines in the moon and clouds, but I LOVE the reflections, and especially that bright white line just below the trees. You certainly captured the “night” with the way the clouds are lit. I find night paintings quite difficult, but I’m trying to work one out right now of a local garden in the moonlight. Since I’ve never seen it at night I will have to use my imagination.
trebor61 3:29 pm on June 7, 2009 | #
You are so right about the dark lines but my excuse is I mucked about with these areas too much. I tend to fiddle with some drawings and “overwork them”.
A couple of months ago I described a “black mirror” to mrosem in the “sharing techniques” forum. Maybe this might help gauge a night time scene for you. Alternatively try playing about with your new scanner settings to obtain a tonal effect. Either way should keep you away from nocturnal bears
BoboMonkey 3:55 pm on June 7, 2009 | #
Robert this is really good, just the right amount of work.
charvi 12:16 am on June 8, 2009 | #
i really liked the effect you have given to the clouds:) but i am not too sure of the lines used for the moon. rest all is very natural and beautiful.
b.tee 12:20 am on June 8, 2009 | #
truly awesome, trebor
trebor61 1:49 am on June 8, 2009 | #
Thanks folks. Good of you all to comment. The clouds were done by making a hard edge of masking fluid then, once this was dry, wetting the paper and running dillute ink towards it. Its good fun doing this as you are never too sure what’s going to happen.
roseindigo 8:15 am on June 8, 2009 | #
Those hard edges with the masking fluid are magical. For some reason I’ve never got into the habit of using masking fluid. I bought some several years ago and never even opened the bottle, and I think it’s because I’ve minimized what I carry when I’m out in the field. Everything I take with me fits into a fannie pack. What I do carry is one white wax crayon, which I often use when I paint water. The wax in the crayon resists the watercolor and leaves lovely unpredictable white spaces, but they are not as crisp as masking fluid.
This is a nice technique Bob, and I think I will try it some time, but only in the studio.
trebor61 9:27 am on June 8, 2009 | #
You could also try running the masking fluid into a wet area which gives a softer edge once the stuff is removed. Takes a bit getting used to. Although I’m aware of the use of wax crayon I’ve never fancied trying this as I thought that leaving the wax on the paper might, somehow show up later on. Must be wrong so I’ll give this a go. Its all a learning curve!
roseindigo 11:56 am on June 8, 2009 | #
Bob, using a wax crayon is especially great for foam in water, such as rapids or a waterfall. The wax tends to sit on top of the paper ridges, resisting color there, and flows into the valleys of the paper, giving a mottled spray effect. The rougher your paper is the more mottled the effect will be. Try it. It’s simple and has its uses as a technique. I’ve posted a waterfall picture where I used the technique so you can see as soon as it’s up.
As for the wax showing up later, I’ve never had that experience, but I may be wrong also. I’ve also read that if you don’t want the wax there you can put a paper towel on your painting and use a warm iron to melt it off, but I’ve never tried that. I just leave it alone.
Yes, I think paining is a learning curve all the time and I think that’s one reason why I love it so. I certainly never get bored with it, and every medium has its own challenges, watercolor being the MOST challenging, I think.
Sophie Brown 2:02 pm on June 8, 2009 | #
This is sort of a departure into something new and different. I think it’s REALLY NEAT.
Margie 8:43 pm on June 8, 2009 | #
the ambience you created here is enchanting
trebor61 8:32 am on June 9, 2009 | #
I love the “Really Neat” expression, Sophie. Thanks for that It reminds me of the 1960′s when things were neat, cool or fab. Glad you and Margie like this. It seems to have turned out to be my most popular post to date. I must stay up more often.
Elicia 5:07 pm on June 30, 2009 | #
Oh my, This is beautiful, is capture every essensce of the tree’s and water’s beauty. I adore this.
trebor61 12:56 pm on July 2, 2009 | #
These are kind words and I very much appreciate them. Thank you.