THE COTTERDALE CONUNDRUM
Cotterdale is a very accessible Dale which flows into Wensleydale near Hawes. Along the moors on its eastern side, the Pennine Way route offers fabulous views of its upper reaches: but these views are somewhat dominated by the bigger surrounding contours of Wensleydale.
These abound all around: looking west towards Upper Wensleydale and Garsdale; and south-east towards the iconic flat-topped summits of Wensleydale such as Addleborough and Wether Fell.
Cotterdale nestles quietly amongst them.
But there are other distractions too. Most of Cotterdale’s valley sides are gentle and smooth, but they are dotted with dark, jarring, angular shapes of pine tree plantations. And there are many farms, stiles and walls dividing up the pastures, it is a complex scene. The tiny hamlet of Cotterdale is very attractive, but only offers yet another manmade presence.
It is a conundrum: how am I going to depict this little Dale? I kept looking, searching for Mother Nature to offer something different.
Eventually, lower down the Dale, I found it: Cotterdale Beck flows into a narrow chasm then cascades out in glorious Cotter Force.
It is magnificent! And attracts many visitors via an easy, accessible footpath.
This will be my focus! However; it means I must tackle the tricky subject of water again.
I stared and stared…and took a great many photos. Tackling water means I have to observe really well.
I spent ages just watching: the strong horizontal limestone steps underneath the glorious spray give fabulous structure; I stared at the ribbons of water as they fell – the sudden gushes; the power, and the endless movement, the noise!
Collecting ideas. Mulling thoughts. Letting the composition possibilities emerge…
I started with some preliminary sketches in my sketch book, and quickly got stuck in with some unusual underpainting…watery acrylics on ready primed Art Spectrum card (my favourite choice for an evenly primed mid-tone surface, but almost never used when I’m underpainting).
I carefully looked again at what lies underneath the water, and used this wide horizontal, linear structure for my underpainting. I had begun to figure out how the flowing water could be depicted, experimenting with ideas on scraps of underpainted card…
Art Spectrum card can be scratched – hard work– but fun! It reveals the bright white inner layers of the card which are great for accents within a composition, and offer a softly textured look. I have recently seen some intriguing mono-tone work by Harvey S Stapleton using this method, and it had struck with me as an interesting, different approach.
I experimented further and began to create areas of scuffed surface, perfect for the bright gushes of water that fall within the cascade. It’s slow and careful work, as once done it can’t be un-done!
The ribbons of water were then depicted with the hard edge of a pastel, gently blended to offer the suggestion of spray. Slowly, carefully, I built the scene…
YORKSHIRE WATER I was the result. (below)
I wonder if it actually seems audible?
…I was pleased…. but I wasn’t finished with Cotterdale yet….there was more to be done...
The quieter waters below the Force, where Cotter Beck gently flows on towards the River Ure had really captivated me. Flowing beneath the trees lining the river bank the light rippled on the now smooth surface, the rounded pebbles visible under the water.
It was mesmerising.
And so I realised that ‘YORKSHIRE WATER’ needed to be a trilogy.
Back to the sketches and photos, back to that watery underpainting. To retain some unity I used the same surface, similar palette, same square composition, but was ready to augment the colours as a sign of joy, like I often do. No scratching of the surface this time….just that beautiful evenly primed surface, undulating with newly painted colours, ready to take my pastels.
Keeping it clean, keeping it fresh, allowing the rippling shapes to become abstract, moving patterns. Capturing the feel of it.
The trilogy was complete with YORKSHIRE WATER II and III. Maybe my paintings are a little mesmerising too?
Enjoy.
