End of the hot weather (for the moment) – Ink/some pencil shading in a Watercolour Moleskine
I love the way cheap fountain pen ink flows into different shapes and so decided to try to capture a change in our local weather using it.
It is often said that we Scots always assume the worst then, when this doesn’t happen, we feel “let off”. If, for instance, someone greets you with the expression, “It’s a grand day!”, the predictable response is, “Aye, but we’ll pay for it”, somehow suggesting that we are not really entitled to good weather and it will surely come to an end. For the past few weeks we have “enjoyed” some very hot and humid weather but now we have “paid for it!” This was the scene, late on Thursday night, as the first of the thunderstorms moved in. Our weather is now “normal” with heavy rain and a fresher feel to it.
It’s such a relief to not be so heat exhausted. I do not know how folk, like Susan in Texas, can stand the extreme temperatures which I’ve noticed on world weather maps. What was it? 105 F? We were ONLY 84 F yesterday and that was far too much. One thing I would really enjoy (if that’s the right word) is looking at the huge storms I read about – but only from a distance. It was only a few years ago when a lightening strike demolished a bus stop 200 yards from our house and the blast threw me into the house from the open door where I stood marvelling at nature in full swing. This wrecked our television and, perhaps has been responsible for the way I have behaved since. May you all enjoy your fair share of good weather, this summer, with far-away storms.
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Cynthia 10:49 am on July 4, 2009 | #
I love how you handled the clouds! I can almost smell the rain. I love when you can see these storms coming. Such anticipation.
roseindigo 10:59 am on July 4, 2009 | #
Far-away storms? I LOVE storms!!!!!! The stormier and louder the more I like them! Think of the drama that’s like no other. Not even Shakespeare can hold a candle to that. In fact, I’d love to spend summers somewhere in the U.S. that has the most thunderstorms, like Flagstaff Arizona, because the clouds are so stunning—-as you have so beautifully shown here. This is a GORGEOUS watercolor.
And 84 degrees is just a mild spell here. Right now I’m looking at the outside thermometer and it’s 96 degrees and very bright and sunny, with no storms expected at least until some time at the end of October or beginning of November. Of course, by that time the forest outside will be screaming for water, and in the meantime every time we smell smoke we go into a different kind of anticipation. Summer fun and games in the national forest!!!
trebor61 3:30 pm on July 4, 2009 | #
Thanks Cynthia. I really like doing skies. I once read that you should paint a sky each day
Rose – You must be one of these “stom chasers” we see on TV programmes. I must admit I really enjoy watching severe weather, snow is my favourite but 96 degrees!!!! That would kill me.
Thanks both for the comments.
roseindigo 7:30 pm on July 4, 2009 | #
One summer I spent a whole month in Flagstaff, Arizona, and at that time of the year they have what are called monsoons there. Every afternoon the clouds would roll in and a thunderstorm would ensue with heavy rain. If you stood on a hill somewhere you could see several thunderstorms at once in all directions. It was fabulous!!!
Anyhow, the Navajo Indians have a wonderful description for these thunder showers. They call these noisy hard rains “HE” rains. And they call the soft misty rains “SHE” rains.
The Hopi Indians have “cloud people” in their Line-up of gods, and after being in northern Arizona for a while I can see why. I’ve never seen such daily gorgeous skies in my life. Your beautiful ink clouds remind me of them.
trebor61 2:15 am on July 5, 2009 | #
This is fascinating. Your reply intigued me so much I did a flickr search for “Flagstaff, storms” and was rewarded by scenes such as this. Kinda makes our skies look small by comparison
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dsoltesz/3576177210/
Thanks for this, Rose.
Nick Powell 2:09 pm on July 5, 2009 | #
Brilliant one Bob love it to bits.Your best yet for me!!!
trebor61 6:31 am on July 6, 2009 | #
Thanks Nick. I’m pleased with the way this worked out and glad you like it as well. Do you have thunderstorms like this where you are. I’m fascinated by Roseindigo’s comments. What do you think of the link (above)?
Nikira 4:38 pm on July 6, 2009 | #
Such a beautiful watercolor, one of the best.
trebor61 3:09 am on July 7, 2009 | #
Thanks for your kindess, Nikira. This make me want to try harder in future.
Margie 9:51 am on July 27, 2009 | #
WOW! I just saw this… this is one of my favorites! Stunning!
Margie 9:53 am on July 27, 2009 | #
you wrote: “This wrecked our television and, perhaps has been responsible for the way I have behaved since.”
that is very funny!
trebor61 1:34 pm on July 27, 2009 | #
I enjoyed doing this one, Margie. As I said, I think the way the ink flows across a wet page is great – I get some control by turning the page around. As to electrical storms – I’m not known as a bright spark for nothing!