Boxing Day 2024.
I thought about visiting the Warter Priory Estate, however mist shrouded the landscape, seeming to get more dense as I travelled to the higher Wolds. It was impossible to do a landscape painting, so remembering a recent visit to North Dalton where we visited the pub (so George could have a drink…) I headed to it. Parking at the village hall, not far from the studios of Rose and Robin, I set off to walk George, who lead me towards the Star, no doubt remembering his previous visit. To get there we walked past the pond, on an elevated footpath causing a cacophony as a group of ducks, sitting on the pond dredging saw us above them and flew to the pond. The pub, THE STAR was open but we returned to the car. This view, from the car park shows a glimpse of the church across a well tended garden. I decided to set up the pochade box and paint the view. Despite the weather the coniferous planting together with cornus (red dogwood) and flowering shrubs made the composition interesting. People passed with their dogs, an elderly Alsatian, a Labrador, a lady with a spaniel came over and we chatted about my friend David Hockney. As I left Beverley via the Westwood evidence of the Boxing Day hunt could be seen. People walking up from Beverley town, one or two riders wearing hunt livery approaching from the road to Bishop Burton. I remembered, as I painted, that years ago as a young man I would be playing rugby on this day which often involved becoming grounded in the Humber as the ferry from Hull got stuck on a mud bank…ahhh…memories.
This painting is featured in part two of my book Plein Air Painting, showing the stages of completion.It will be available in the New Year. Part one, featuring the area around Beverley and the Low Wolds is already published. Books available from my online store here.
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