This painting is an effort to capture the pale sunlit barley fields near Sir John's Plantation, off Warter Road, near Etton. It was a hot day but I am painting in the morning shaded by the plantation of Sir John, off Warter Road. All is quiet. Partridge scuttle nearby, disappearing in the adjacent forest of wheat stalks. The gated lane I am on is, typically, heavily rutted being an arterial track servicing local fields and follows the perimeter of the wood. At this time comfrey is beginning to show colour in the nearby hedgerows, as various hogweed umbrals seek the sky. It is uplifting to see clouds of umbrals tumbling amongst the hedgerows and I realise that they are, in a way landed, rooted versions of the cotton wool floating above them. This view is essentially a touch of early summer promise and will change dramatically as harvest time approaches. And, again in winter when trees have lost their leaves the whole area is transformed into a sleeping landscape, where the occasional sounds of working hounds may be heard. I am looking forward to seeing campanula flowering and the arrival of agrimoney as well as many more wild flowers in this magical area near Etton. If you are passing, stop and look at the spectacular oxeye daisy cover belt nearby, a colourful, practical crop planted by the thoughtful farmer over at Etton Westwood Farm.
My Yorkshire Sketchbook, limited edition with double page spreads with notated sketches is now available, full colour throughout.
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