Fizz Trough

Mourne wall "Have you come across any fizz troughs? They're as rare as hen's teeth". Working high in the Mournes a local historian was busy photographing and cataloguing abandoned forges, each of which once had a trough near the door to cool newly tempered chisels. I hadn't come across any, but I was able to point him in the direction of a set of plug and feathers still embedded in a granite slab and share a few photos. I was forced to cut short an in-depth photography discussion explaining that I only use my camera to back up sketches. His next question, 'What do you paint?' is just as difficult to answer. I simply wander about and see what catches my eye; often I will have a specific area I want to explore but it's better not to have a preconceived idea of the subject. Likewise, I find that there is little point clicking off reels of film; back home a set of clumsy photographs can seen very uninspiring when compared to the actual outdoor experience. A sketch, perhaps backed up by some blurred, poorly lit photography is required to have any hope of developing a worthwhile composition. Very little equipment is needed; a hard backed sketchbook or a few sheets of watercolour paper stretched on a board, a No 8 Sable round brush, a small box of watercolours with an integrated palette, water container, pencil, sharpener and a putty rubber, and last of all something to paint. The Mournes have a wealth of potential subjects, I'm convinced that if I simply pick a point on the map, the location would have something worthwhile ranging from a sweeping vista to more intimate subjects like a fence post entangled with foliage. The rivers provide water for the paints and the sheep often provide a focal point for the painting; whatever the arguments about the effects of over and under grazing the presence of sheep is a benefit as far as I'm concerned; the white fleece, contrasting black face and a dash of coloured markings enliven much of my work. Finally pack waterproof trousers for sitting on the damp ground, and if you stray from the paths boot gaiters help keep the ticks out of your socks. Let me know if you come across a fizz-trough, there aren't many left in the Mournes

What to paint in a land of plenty
"Have you come across any fizz troughs? They're as rare as hen's teeth". Working high in the Mournes a local historian was busy photographing and cataloguing abandoned forges, each of which once had a trough near the door to cool newly tempered chisels. I hadn't come across any, but I was able to point him in the direction of a set of plug and feathers still embedded in a granite slab and share a few photos. I was forced to cut short an in-depth photography discussion explaining that I only use my camera to back up sketches. His next question, 'What do you paint?' is just as difficult to answer. I simply wander about and see what catches my eye; often I will have a specific area I want to explore but it's better not to have a preconceived idea of the subject. Likewise, I find that there is little point clicking off reels of film; back home a set of clumsy photographs can seen very uninspiring when compared to the actual outdoor experience. A sketch, perhaps backed up by some blurred, poorly lit photography is required to have any hope of developing a worthwhile composition. Very little equipment is needed; a hard backed sketchbook or a few sheets of watercolour paper stretched on a board, a No 8 Sable round brush, a small box of watercolours with an integrated palette, water container, pencil, sharpener and a putty rubber, and last of all something to paint. The Mournes have a wealth of potential subjects, I'm convinced that if I simply pick a point on the map, the location would have something worthwhile ranging from a sweeping vista to more intimate subjects like a fence post entangled with foliage. The rivers provide water for the paints and the sheep often provide a focal point for the painting; whatever the arguments about the effects of over and under grazing the presence of sheep is a benefit as far as I'm concerned; the white fleece, contrasting black face and a dash of coloured markings enliven much of my work. Finally pack waterproof trousers for sitting on the damp ground, and if you stray from the paths boot gaiters help keep the ticks out of your socks. Let me know if you come across a fizz-trough, there aren't many left in the Mournes

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