A GRAND FINALE: WENSLEYDALE
During my journey to explore and paint all the named Dales of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, I realised that I was avoiding Wensleydale. How odd! This majestic, fabulous place is so big and grand I was concerned about capturing its essence in just one painting. As I explored and painted other Dales, I kept putting it off, until it became obvious it would be the last flourish, the grand finale of my Quest.
Eventually I planned several days walking in its gorgeousness, and at first I got really frustrated!
Where was the one ‘classic’ view that would show off this fabulous place?
How could I celebrate the huge upper fells which lift my soul, the big skies which endlessly entertain, the fabulous shapes of the awesome limestone scenery AND the gently rolling fields outlined with trees; all in one composition?
I tried various ideas centred around Addleborough, but they just didn’t work. They were always missing some important character of this wonderful, important Dale: including it ALL seemed to celebrate NONE. A perplexing conundrum!
I love it all so much.
Then one wet day, with ideas and sketches swirling in my mind and dozens of discarded photos scattered across a table, I realised what was needed.
Wensleydale was the grand finale of my QUEST for a reason, I was going to have to wallow here for a while: it was going to take more than one painting!
A few quick sketches in my field book crystalised the idea: four paintings, all the same size and shape, all painted with the same technique, each offering one piece of the whole…
(My sketches are actually in the wrong order: they were drawn as the idea began to take shape. The second sketch became Act I, the first became Act II, then we have Act III and IV)
Four different characters, four different sets of stage scenery, four different Acts.
Is this gloriously classic, classy Dale a Stage or a Play or a whole cast of characters? I wasn’t sure. But however defined, a series of Acts was required to applaud her properly!
The first painting sets the scene: beautiful flowing contours descend from the fells south east of the Dale. Penhill and Addleborough are so distinctive; their flanks are like field-patterned skirts as they swirl towards the valley bottom. Bright greens shout out – and the occasional bright pink too, perhaps seen, perhaps imagined, creating joy within the whole.
A CLASS ACT I:
The second composition brings the glorious upper fells into sharper focus.
Addleborough has a wonderful limestone shape: a knoll sitting on top of a wide strong plateau, all standing guard over the tributary of Raydale with its hidden treasure of Semer Water out of sight far below.
The grey clouds move and threaten more rain, but sudden sunshine dances through the scene and entertains us.
A CLASS ACT II:
The third painting stays amongst the upper fells. These are my favourite places; the high up ones, where the evidence of mankind is smaller and the hugeness of the moors dominate! Walking up the Roman Road from Bainbridge, pausing for breath and looking north west, the sight is simply glorious. The upper pastures roll and flow; the limestone escarpment of Wether Fell stands strong against the erosion, the shadows and light dance across the fells on the other side of the valley.
Here is the spellbinding, magical, uplifting entertainment of the Dales. I use the big wide canvas and my soft pastels to the full, striving to create an uplifting, daunting, penultimate Act.
A CLASS ACT III:
Eventually I arrive at the fourth composition, the final painting of the final Dale of my QUEST.
Time to celebrate the grandeur of this wide and wonderful place; the majesty, the fame, the lush greenness, a wonderful stage surrounded by its fabulous fells.
The rolling valley bottom, a typical rounded field, a line of trees on its brow.
Of course a scattering of sheep, some sunshine, some gentle shadows.
A place to breathe as this story ends, a place to pause and just be.
A CLASS ACT IV:
