Scotland Update...

Dear painters and friends,

The painting week at Brynaport came and went much too quickly. We had such a fantastic time painting outdoors in the gorgeous mountain landscape of the Scottish Highlands and getting to know each other again after a year’s  absence. Gillian and Mark Pattinson were as ever the perfect hosts even though the course was non-residential this year. The weather was somewhat cooler than usual but with no rain to speak of we were able to venture out every day.

To start with we painted the view across the glistening Loch Kishorn, looking out from Brynaport house with whitewashed cottages in the foreground. The next day we took the path down to the secluded cove just across the road which features amazing rockfaces, netting poles and a small island nestling in the Loch. Painting the rocks proved not the easiest of tasks but prepared us well for things to come.

The following day we traveled by car - or on foot as preferred- to the nearby village with stunning views towards the Torridon hills in the direction of Applecross, which is situated on the coastal side of this imposing mountain range. On day three, a bit further afield, we drove to an exciting waterfall beyond the fishing village of Shieldaig. Breathtaking rocks and cliffs with cascading water – an absolute joy to paint. It was my first time to paint there and I am certainly going back for more next year. Last but not least we visited Glasnock, a small Loch fringed by reeds and half covered by see roses. From there we had a wonderful panorama of open grassland with the surrounding peaks of the various mountain ranges. Two cottages and some lone trees made the perfect focus in an otherwise distant landscape.

So came a wonderful painting week to a end. It’s hard to put into words how lovely it was to be able to paint again in congenial company and in an exciting landscape far away from all the troubles of last year.

Devon, where I will be next from 15th-21st August,  offers a completely different setting for my painting course at Coombe Farm Studios. The hills are lush green and gently rolling, the gardens filled with flowers and coastline and river Dart are equally tempting.

I wish you a very happy painting summer,
Bettina

PS: I will return to Scotland in June/July 20222 so watch out for the new dates on my website because places will be limited