After a short introduction at the car park to the group, we set off to walk to the cleared village at Leitir Fura.
We chatted on route, stopping now and again to look at wild mushrooms and the stunning view and weather over the Sound of Sleat.
Once at the village, I sat with my sketchbook and began to sketch, using a stick found from a nearby birch tree, some sphagnum moss and ink.
I showed the group how I go about capturing the essence of the view, working very quickly, as the light changes constantly.
I described how I was trying to record the dramatic rays of light coming through the clouds and falling in pools on the surface of the water.
This sketch would be used to inform any painting I might later do, back in my studio.
When asked by one of the group whether art can be taught, I took the challenge by helping one of the ladies have a go at the same view.
This particular lady had a “thing” about white sheets of paper and felt it would be destroying its beauty by making marks on it.
However, by the time she had achieved a wonderful sketch, using the sphagnum moss to move the ink about in order to show the rays of light and the stick to show the headland, she was delighted with what she had produced.
Discussing how and what different people see, led to an interesting conversation about looking, drawing and interpreting the landscape in front of us.
Tha Seo Math Dhuibh – Good for you
A partnership project with Aros Centre, Portree