Part Two of Graham Twyford's Overview Paintings - Helvellyn- Ascent from Patterdale and Glenridding via Striding Edge

Overview painting by Graham Twyford: One from a series of three

Helvellyn is the best selling Overscope to date and this is likely due to the popularity of Striding Edge with visitors and Wainwright baggers!

Patterdale

In 1955 when the first Pictorial Guide, "The Eastern Fells" was ready, Wainright set out with a few copies to see if any shops in the Lakes would sell them for him. First port of call was the Post Office and Village Store seen here lower left.

They said he could leave a couple to see how they went. The following day they phoned up for another dozen as soon as he could get them there and so it began.

Recently the store has closed, I am sad to say, though I was delighted when the owner contacted me to request a print and say how much she loves the Overscope.

The cricket game played behind the church is a counterpoint to the visible hikers assailing Striding Edge - the level green turf of the lowland contrasting with the jagged fangs of the heights.

A closer look at Striding Edge the spectacular climax to the ascent from Patterdale and Glenridding.

Keldas Pines and Lanty's Tarn

At the foot of the mountain spur rising above the villages is the rocky knoll of Keldas; crowned with lovely Scot's Pines its a great vantage point to survey the upper reach of Ullswater.

Within the trees, ringed by Silver Birch, Lanty's Tarn gleams and reflects its host of trees.

Lanty refers to another character of the Lake Districts, Lancelot Slee, a notorious bootlegger - he used hideouts here and there in the mountains.

Glenridding

Embarking from Glenridding Pier, an Ullswater Steamer sweeps into the lake.

A magazine once asked me to recommend a Lakeland walk and straight away I suggested taking the Ullswater Steamers, which call at Howtown on the outward and return cruise.

The option is to disembark at Pooley Bridge, grab a bite to eat then re-board for Howtown which is halfway back on the roadless side. From here is an easy though exhilarating walk.

The walk back to Glenridding- Painting by Graham Twyford

Method and Techniques

To produce the Overscopes work begins with memory and imagination. On a full sheet of A1 paper I roughly get down in charcoal all that I can remember of the location without reference.

I have a broad general idea of much of the topography of the lakes and its surprising what sticks in the memory.

I try to bring the distant parts forward, imagining how things would be if the landscape had tilted towards the viewing point.

I'm going for a strong 3 dimensional effect with a cross light to pick out the depth.

Only when there is a strong design and composition do I begin to edit and perfect the shapes. Checking with Ordnance Survey maps, adjusting shapes and correcting errors.

Much of the creativity is in the drawing which may be rather complex so I've worked nifty ways to get it onto the painting surface using simple modern tech.

Printout and Transfer

In essence the drawing is photographed and put on the PC, then printed onto A4 transparent film (overhead projector stuff or write on film) - the inkjet printer ink doesn't fix.

It leaves a beautiful grey impression just right to go over with pencil and watercolour.

Before printing the drawing is flipped to a mirror image so it prints the right way round when transferred. Hope your with me so far!

Transfer onto Watercolour Board

Next the transfer is nearly complete - all the A4 sections neatly registered and aligned (takes a bit of practice).

The rounded edge of the glass jar seen here is used to burnish and smooth the drawing onto the paper to help with even transfer.

I have found an excellent and inexpensive online app called Rapid Resizer, which will rapidly re-size any drawing or photo to the size of your painting and then divide it up into A4 or A3 sections to print out.

Graham Twyford.

I hope you enjoyed part two of the blog created in collaboration with Graham Twyford. The insight and know how that Graham shares is for all those Artists who love to paint and want to know how it is done.

Graham's work can once again be viewed or ordered from his website by clicking the link Graham Twyford

See you back next week for the third and final insight into the Skafell Pike from Eskdale Overscope! The final painting of the Overscope trilogy of paintings.

Blog by Marina

in collaboration with Graham Twyford

For Barrow Society of Artists