Nidderdale: The Completed Painting

This view from Guise Cliff was stunning. The air was fresh and cool. Occasionally a gentle breeze would pass through and rustle the grasses as I looked down upon the colorful valley. As far as I could see there were farm houses, villages, reservoirs, large and small estates, the peaceful River Nidd and fields with sheep and cattle grazing. England never looked more beautiful to me.

Nidderdale
36x48", oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

Stage 6: Painting the foreground.

This painting was fun but a challenge. Using only palette knives, I constantly underestimated the amount of paint I needed so I was always squeezing out more and more paint; it rarely seemed like it was ever enough.



The final painting with the 8x10" color study.

Visiting Northern England: "Guise Cliff" - Painting Nidderdale

Stage 4: Painting the valley.



 

As I paint this scene of Nidderdale, I am amazed, once again, at the colors of  northern England in late winter. The countryside reminds me of a giant patchwork quilt sprinkled with farms and houses, accented by the market town, Pateley Bridge, in the midst of it all. It truly is a beautiful place to wander and explore.

Stage 5: Completing the valley.

At last, I am ready to paint the drama of the foreground.

Visiting Northern England: The Old Granary Tea Shop

The Old Granary Tea Shop
5 1/2 x 3 1/2 (sketch book) ink sketch
Rita Salazar Dickerson

Today was a rainy day and as I write about it this evening, it still continues to pour down. It was also the day for the yearly Nidderdale Show. Regardless of the weather, the agricultural show in Pateley Bridge went on as planned and I was determined to see it. I dressed in layers and put on every bit of rain gear I could gather. I packed my little sketch book in the outer pocket of my backpack along with pens and pencils. Even though my backpack had a rain cover, I was still paranoid about the risk of rain water reaching my sketch book so I dressed it in layers also: two small sandwich bags and then one quart size outer layer just for good measure. I was excited about walking in the rain. For added protection I took my red umbrella. In the end, regardless of all the layers, I still managed to get wet. The wind blew the rain at an unmerciful angle and puddles, resembling small ponds, were so deep at times I had to find new routes around them.

Once I arrived my desire to draw something of interest faded when I realized how impractical it would be to even think about setting my backpack down to retrieve my sketch book. The rain continued to soak the ground inside and outside of the tents. My boots could not escape the soft, deep mud or the puddles; the earth was saturated.

At this point I decided to walk around and just enjoy all that the show had to offer. Even on this rain soaked day the well groomed animals were a pleasure to see and the numerous competitions in various categories was impressive.

As I walked back through Pateley Bridge I passed The Old Granary Tea Shop. It looked warm and inviting. A few minutes later I turned around and  headed back to its front door. A table at the left front window was available, waiting for me. At last, the backpack came off, the sketch book came out and as I ordered hot tea and a walnut date scone I looked around for something to draw. As the waitress placed my order in front of me I decided not to think too hard and settled on the pot of tea, the creamer and my cup and saucer. I was going to draw the delicious scone but it was warm and I was hungry.

Visiting Northern England: Village Scape #3

The first time I saw Pateley Bridge I gasped in delight. It didn't seem real. Nestled along the River Nidd, this charming village caught my attention. Everywhere I looked there was something interesting to see and explore.

The colorful shops were so inviting; tea rooms, butchers, the bakery, a drug store, clothing stores, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, I loved it all.

Each one served a purpose and had its own personality.

On this snowy, February afternoon I was happy to walk to the village and pick up a few things at the little market/deli called Elliot's. It was cold and snowing a light, wet snow. I tucked my camera inside of my coat to keep it dry but it rarely stayed there. Taking off my right glove to manage my camera resulted in icy cold fingers but I didn't care. Everywhere I looked I felt compelled to take a photo and  imagined the day I would paint this.

Pateley Bridge, High Street
14x11", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

The wet street acted as a mirror, reflecting the colorful storefronts. Painting this scene brings back the memories so clearly. 

Visiting Northern England: Landscape Painting #4

The forty-five minute hike up to Guise Cliff from Glasshouses is well worth the effort. It is a beautiful rocky ledge of cliffs that overlooks one of the North Yorkshire dales.

 From this viewpoint one can see the villages, Glasshouses as well as Pateley Bridge.

My inspiration for this painting was the incredible contrast between the rocks and grasses in the foreground and the softness of the valley and adjacent hills.

After blocking in the main shapes and colors in the foreground, I decided to paint this portion from start to finish before moving on to the rest of the painting. The palette of foreground colors were in such contrast to the values of the background colors - so it was easier for me to concentrate on those first. Northern England is colorful even in winter; rich reds, rusts and golds were enhanced by the deep green grass and light patches of snow.

At this point I felt like I was laying down the colors of a beautiful patchwork quilt.

Guise Cliff
10x8", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

It was mid afternoon. As I looked out below I could see several farms with sheep and cows in their pastures bordered by rustic stone fences. If you look further up the valley you can see the body of water called Gouthwaite Reservoir where flocks of birds gather. 

Visiting Northern England: Landscape Painting #3

I painted in the lines of this landscape Sunday night and then forgot to photograph it before I started blocking it in; I remembered soon after.

As you can see I started with a deep green.

And then worked in an even deeper shade of purple for the darkest shadows.

This is when the fun started! I began squinting my eyes to see the major shapes which then helped me know where to place the blocks of colors.

The light cream colored trees and their branches added the needed contrast to the deeper shades of green. This color also ties in well with the fencing, path and rocks.

And then it was time to start adding texture, detail and light. The palette knife, once again, became very useful as I applied thicker paint.

Beckoning
10x8", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

It was another gorgeous day in North Yorkshire. We had just climbed up to Guise Cliff where we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the valley. (At the top it is enjoyable to sit on the bench and overlook the villages, Glasshouses and Pateley Bridge.)

I was fortunate to be hiking with someone who knew this area well; our new found friend and guide, Ken, suggested a less common way down and I eagerly agreed to the adventure. I wanted to experience as much of this area as possible - so why go down the same way we hiked up? As we passed sheep in pastures and crossed through stiles, we came upon a gate which led down a grassy hill. We climbed over this gate and headed down. I paused when we reached the bottom; the entry into this wooded area was beguiling  to me. This path seemed as though it was beckoning me forward. It was cool and quiet. As we walked, the ground crunched with thin layers of ice on the wooded floor. My walking stick became very useful at this point and kept me from slipping. Bits of light filtered in and at that moment I felt so blessed to be there experiencing this precious part of England on a cold February day.

P.S. I was always amazed at how green everything was during the winter months in North Yorkshire. Many of the trees dropped their leaves and yet there were others that held theirs. This added charm to an already charming place.

Visiting Northern England: Landscape Painting #2

It was a news worthy day for weather in North Yorkshire; everyone was talking about the snow that was predicted. As I bundled up for a walk to the village, Pateley Bridge, I could see the storm coming. The clouds were heavy and the air was thick and cold. Coming from Colorado where winter snow storms are common, I was excited to get outside and walk to the village store, Elliot's Deli, and bring my camera to shoot some nice wintry scenes along the way.

The path to Pateley Bridge from Glasshouses is scenic regardless of the weather or time of year. The River Nidd makes it picturesque as it winds along with you as you walk.

This is one of the many scenes along the way that impressed me with its beauty. The small bridge crossing over the river and reflected in the glassy cold water was breathtaking.

The tall, leafless trees added drama to my view and allowed me to see beyond the foreground and into the snowy white distance.

Winter Reflections On The River Nidd
10x8", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

As you can see from my stages, I painted from  light to dark, starting with the white sky. Painting the dark branches into the wet paint of the sky softened them. To complete the painting I used a palette knife to apply thick paint to the snow in the foreground, the tall golden grasses, as well as for the snow on the tree branches.

Visiting Northern England: Landscape Painting #1

Miles away from the fast paced beat of London, traveling comfortably by train, I discovered the idyllic countryside of North Yorkshire where foot paths outnumber winding roads, beckoning me to explore.

From higher ground I noticed that the shire looked like a patchwork quilt and the charming villages seemed inner-connected by a common thread of stone fences and rolling green hills.

On this particular afternoon my husband, Robert and I walked the path along the River Nidd from the village, Glasshouses, to a larger village called Summerbridge. It was a two mile walk with pleasant surprises, like this bridge, along the way. I decided to paint this scene for sentimental reasons. It brings back fond memories of walking under this large archway of "The Old Railway Bridge". There were two of these arches, one on either side of the river, with the middle section covering the river having long ago fallen down.

After blocking in the main colors I started painting in the details....moss covered branches, the aged stone of the bridge, fences and fields in the background...I took my time using a brush and a palette knife.

The Old Railway Bridge
8x10", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

The path, dappled in light, invited me to go  forward.

Path To Pateley Bridge V: The Village



Pateley Bridge Village
11 x 9", pen and ink

When I saw Pateley Bridge for the first time, I fell in love with it. It is the ideal village in so many ways. Not too big or too small, it has everything a person really needs; the people are friendly and its picturesque setting next to the River Nidd in Nidderdale couldn't be more perfect. It even has the Oldest Sweet Shop in England. How perfect is that?

Path To Pateley Bridge IV: Sheep



Path To Pateley Bridge IV: Sheep
11 x 9", pen and ink
Rita Salazar Dickerson, 2012

Across the River Nidd, there were sheep grazing in a green pasture as I walked along the path to Pateley Bridge.

Path To Pateley Bridge III: The Country Estate

Path To Pateley Bridge III
11 x 9", pen and ink

I had no idea that drawing this country estate would be so much fun! I also realize that if I had walked this path to Pateley Bridge at any other time of the year, the leaves from the branches would have blocked my view. The barrenness of winter can reveal many secrets. I might have seen a glimpse of it, but not this. 

I love England in the winter. 

Path To Patelely Bridge II: The Bridge

 Path To Pateley Bridge, II
11 x 9", pen and ink

There is a beautiful, meandering river called the River Nidd, that eventually winds its way beside the path to Pateley Bridge. Being January, the trees beside it are without leaves but have moss growing up  their trunks. The water is calm and acts like a mirror, reflecting the trees and blue sky. The scene is soothing and peaceful.

The bridge in this sketch crosses over the river leading to an estate which looks more like a small castle. Since I have always been fascinated by bridges and anything that resembles a castle, I will draw the estate next.

Path To Pateley Bridge

  "Path To Pateley Bridge"
11 x 9", pen and ink

This blog post feels like it has been a long time in coming. For months I have known that I would be traveling to England to stay for several weeks. Having never been before I was so excited as I planned my trip. I had many questions but one thing I knew for sure, it would be completely different in many ways from my home state of Colorado.

I am staying in a little village in North Yorkshire called Glasshouses and from this village is a path (just over a mile long) that leads to a slightly larger village called Pateley Bridge where there are restaurants, a tearoom, art galleries, antique shops, a butcher, a bakery, a tempting candy shop and even a cobbler's shop. There is so much charm here I can hardly take it all in.

I haven't had too much time to explore yet, but I have taken time to walk on this beautiful path and
since I am more familiar with it than anything else right now, I decided to sketch it first.
Even though it is January, it feels like early spring. The grass is deep green, bright green moss covers the low stone walls that border each side of the path and then there is ivy growing everywhere along the way, even on the tall trees.