‘Breaking Mists’ Original Oil Painting by Paul Taggart - Feature

This was the sight that greeted us as we arrived at the 2009 Easter Ross Ploughing Match; a day shrouded in heavy mists, rolling in off the Cromarty Firth. Not for some while have working horses been present, given the expense of maintaining and transporting these beautiful creatures; but luckily for us this team are local and provided the ideal subject for our proposed fund-raising offer to ERPA.

This is a conversation piece, neither portrait, nor landscape. I wanted to portray the strength in these beasts, to evoke memories in those who can still recall working with horses in the fields. Although barely visible, the composition would not have worked without a hint of the landscape in which this event was taking place; the filigree of leafless tress providing a wonderfully delicate backdrop, a foil to the power of the foreground scene.

A sensual mix of softness and detail -- on the one hand steam rising off the horses flanks, breath streaming from their nostrils, a watery sun shimmering through the dense mist, the delicate hint of pink indicating that sunset is not long off. On the other, metallic brasses and leather collars, chains and grasses.

Opting for a vertical composition enabled me to 'constrict' the horses, thus strengthening the perception that they are powering their way through the scene. Linear perspective plays an essential role in this composition; the angles of furrows, field and tree tops along with the positioning of the horses against the men, gives us subtle clues that the horses are working uphill. On glancing at this painting you feel for all the world as if the horses are actually stepping out of the frame -- an occidental delight for me as the artist.

In such a misty scene, colours are dulled and values diminished and yet, when colour is present in field and flank, it glows in the diminished light.

FUND-RAISING LIMITED EDITION PRINT IN AID OF EASTER ROSS PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION

It gives us the greatest pleasure to dedicate the Limited Edition Print published from this oil painting to raising funds for the Easter Ross Ploughing Association Benevolent Fund. As each framed copy is sold in the edition of 100 prints, £65 is donated to ERPA.

WE ARE INDEBTED TO 'CORRALACH' FOR COMPOSING AND RECORDING THE ACCOMPANYING SONG ESPECIALLY FOR THIS FILM - which celebrates this wonderful tradition.

CORRALACH MAIN WEBSITE
http://www.corralach.co.uk

CORRALACH YOU TUBE CHANNEL
http://www.youtube.com/user/Corralach/videos?flow=grid&view=0

EASTER ROSS PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION -- ANNUAL MATCH -- Location : Easter Ross, Northern Highlands of Scotland

Whatever the weather, they come out in force for the annual Easter Ross Ploughing Match, as they have done for at least 100 years.

On the first page of a ledger, a strong hand writes in flowing ink, 20th November 1951; this is the first record in a volume of minutes spanning seventeen years. It is the Minute Book of what was then the Tain Ploughing Association.

There has been an attempt to complete the location of ploughing matches from 1932 and from this list the break for the war years of 1939 to 1946 can be clearly seen. The practice of a host farm or estate continues to this day and the names noted then are still around. Between Aldie (Tain) in 1946 and Rhynie (Fearn) in 1966, there was The Burgage and Knockbreck, Lochslin (Fearn) and Clay of Allan (Fearn), Morangie (Tain) and Bogbain (Tain).

The content of this ledger is a snapshot of life in the farming community, as will be the current Minute Book of what is now the Easter Ross Ploughing Association. In spite of, or more probably because of, the advent of sophisticated mechanisation it is believed to be essential that traditions and skills are kept alive.

In recent years the interest in participating at the annual match has increased and younger members of the farming families in this area have been warmly welcomed, as has the interest in restoration of vintage tractors and ploughs.

So it is that on the second Saturday in November, a convoy of vehicles that includes tractors, trailers bearing ploughs and family cars can be seen heading towards one of the farms. There they will compete for various trophies, such as the Hugh Aird Trophy the Tain Ploughing Association Bowl, the Robin Cattanach Cup and the Polson Quaich.

PAUL'S MAIN WEBSITE
http://www.artworkshopwithpaul.com

PAUL'S PINTEREST PAGE - http://pinterest.com/paultaggartist/

Lessons 38 & 39 - in the 'Learn To enjoy Painting' Oil Painting Series

NO SPEED-PAINTING HERE, you are watching every stroke as it is applied in real-time and at such close quarters that you can clearly see how the strokes work on the canvas - as with all of Paul’s tutorials.

This series of lessons would suit complete beginners and those seeking to understand the traditional layering technique in oil painting – starting at Lesson 29 – in which Artist and Author Paul Taggart will guide you gently and in detail through the various stages. The traditional oil painting technique of working through from dark to light forms the basis of this set of lessons.

LESSON 39 concentrates on two specific groups of boulders – one that benefits from dappled sunlight as it is shaded by the tree which overhangs the left of the river; the second lying to the right, bathed in sunlight flooding in from the right; both groups being treated quite differently by Paul Taggart.

THIS DEMONSTRATION COULD BE VIEWED AS A STAND-ALONE PROJECT FOR ANYONE WISHING TO GET TO GRIPS WITH PAINTING BOULDERS AND ROCKS – for in it Paul guides you gently through the process from start-to-finish.

Having established the mass of these boulders and rocks in the previous layers, through texture and undercolours – Paul now moves on to establishing form and variety in shapes and sizes.

Keep an eye open for one prime example of this in the boulders on the left hand side of the painting – where a finely balanced boulder overhangs a cluster of rocks beneath – springing to life as Paul works through from the dark shadows to the final white highlights.

You will learn about reflected lights and sunlit areas; pick up a mass of hints and tips on colour mixing; come to understand how blending helps to establish focus and soft forms – not to mention much more besides.

AND YOU WILL ALSO LEARN HOW TO EXPLOIT COLOUR TEMPERATURES TO EFFECT SURFACE MIXING – AN EXCITING TECHNIQUE IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

One way of approaching this layer is as a ‘layer of discoveries’; for not only are you now in a position to discover techniques that can enhance your painting, but you will also be ‘discovering’ the textures and underlying layers through the use of judiciously applied colours applied to the top surface of already established textures - which will interact with previously applied layers and the glazes and tints, to excite the eye.

As Paul, says – do not treat this as a painting that you have to finish – treat this whole process as an exercise and along the way use each episode as a self-contained lesson…………………you will learn so much more.

THE EXPERIENCE OF PAINTING IN OILS CAN VARY CONSIDERABLY - from working in one layer right through to maximising the traditional technique of working in layers to exploit the full potential of richness that can only be achieved in this medium.

Trees, rocks and water are some of the most commonly requested subjects for demonstration and this is why Paul has included these elements in the study that he works on from start to finish – all filmed in real-time.

You can either work along with him on the same subject, or select one of your own - whatever you choose to do, you are encouraged to treat it as an exercise, rather than a painting composition.

Alongside these lessons, you will find a growing collection of related Painting Topical Tips, Painting Equipment Focus, Painting Problem Solvers, Workshops and SBS Tutorials; plus more Learn To Enjoy Colour Mixing and other related tutorials.

As the lessons unfold, so will the related films; until the final lesson brings this series of lessons to a close.

MEANWHILE - check out the Masterclass playlist and Paul's Original Paintings Reveals playlist for more examples of oil paintings produced using the traditional layering technique.

March 2013

Greetings from my Highlands Studio,

YouTube has made many changes in the past few months, which has tied in perfectly with the plans mentioned in our last newsletter – for one thing, we have been able to give the channel our distinctive look so that anyone visiting, knows it is our official YouTube channel for artworkshopwithpaul

All of our tutorials are filmed in real-time; so that every brush-stroke and colour mix can be followed as if in the room with me – these are un-edited, so nothing is hidden – but more than that, and, unlike attending a class, you can return to them time and again – so that you can pick up all the hints, tips and techniques that I describe as I demonstrate.

To date we have produced and uploaded over 200 films onto our YouTube channel

The latest tutorials include a set of three in our ‘Learn to Enjoy Painting Portraits & Figures’ series – dedicated to understanding and painting the Eye – an eye painted in oils, one painted in watercolours and a third concentrating on the basics for the structure of an eye, which features a complete drawing.

NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT FROM SUBSCRIBERS AND VIEWERS subscribing is FREE – viewing is FREE BUT WE DO NEED SUBSCRIBERS TO ENABLE US TO CONTINUE WITH OUR PLANS TO SHARE OUR FREE-TO-VIEW TUTORIALS WITH EVERYONE and to BUILD OUR CHANNEL into a RELIABLE and FRIENDLY SOURCE OF PAINTING & DRAWING TUTORIALS ............

Eileen and I wish to thank everyone who has subscribed to our main YouTube channel ........... for your subscription enables us to continue making and sharing these free-to-view tutorials, which are being watched worldwide.................It is mind boggling to think that we can now communicate with folk from countries far and wide and respond in person to the thoughtful comments being posted on our videos.

Subscribing to our main channel on YouTube guarantees that you will get to know of new uploads as they happen.

Where our videos are indexed into Dedicated Playlists – or you can simply browse through the entire list (or use the Search button)

Watercolour Painting Tutorials featuring Step-by-Step Lessons, Topical Tips, Equipment Focus, Problem Solvers, Workshops and more............

Acrylic Painting Tutorials featuring Step-by-Step Lessons, Topical Tips, Equipment Focus, Problem Solvers, Workshops and more............

Pastel Painting Tutorials featuring Step-by-Step Lessons, Topical Tips, Equipment Focus, Problem Solvers, Workshops and more............

Oil Painting Tutorials featuring Step-by-Step Lessons, Topical Tips, Equipment Focus, Problem Solvers, Workshops and more............

Colour Mixing featuring Step-by-Step Lessons and more............

General Painting & Drawing Tutorials featuring Step-by-Step Lessons, Topical Tips, Equipment Focus, Problem Solvers, Workshops and more............

NOT TO MENTION THE EVER-GROWING LIST OF MASTERCLASSES and ‘OUT AND ABOUT WITH PAUL’

To enable us to continue to grow these tutorials on our main YouTube channel we need the continued support of our viewers and subscribers (subscription is free on YouTube and is greatly appreciated by us) ....................... rest assured, we are not looking for financial support from our viewers or subscribers.

Painting is my passion and sharing that passion gives me enormous pleasure. Although I work in all media, most particularly in my tutorials; nowadays the work produced for Private Collectors is primarily in oils, with watercolours, acrylics and pastels being used when specifically commissioned.
Viewers of my tutorials will know that traditional techniques form the cornerstone of my work -- which requires time and deliberation. This considered approach means that oil paintings take many weeks, if not months and in some cases, years to produce.

That's it for now folks, more updates soon, as we upload new painting tutorials and reveal the work that has come off my easel in the past few months ......................

With best wishes from us both,
Paul and Eileen

PS DON'T FORGET, WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR WORLDWIDE ART CLUB on FaceBook - Art Workshop With Paul Taggart Painting Companions is where folk share their passion for painting and drawing

Paul Taggart
Artist, Author, Presenter, Producer
Original Paintings & Limited Edition Prints

Whatever the weather they come out in force for this traditional event, here in the Northern Highlands of Scotland -- which will be celebrating its bi-centenary in 2012.

For the past eight years Artist & Author Paul Taggart has donated a uniquely painted original watercolour to the accompanying auction, which sets out to raise the several thousands of GBPounds required to assure the future of this heritage event.

In 2011 Paul decided to do something a little bit different -- notwithstanding the vagaries of the weather surrounding this November fixture, the beginning of our Winter season.

Paul offered to set up his easel in the fields as the match was taking place and to produce an on-the-spot painting, which not only could be affected by the weather -- it meant he was working against the clock, to complete the painting as the final lot in the auction on the same afternoon.

Watch what happened on the day, enjoy some of the sights of big horses and vintage tractors and see how the auction went, in this narrated film.

CENTRAL TO THE PROJECT will be a growing collection of original paintings from which are published Limited Edition Prints, each edition being set aside exclusively to raise funds for the RNLI in Scotland.

From each large print sold the RNLI Scotland will receive no less than £80 per print : with a sliding scale upwards or downwards, dependent on the size of the print.

THE SUBJECT of each ‘narrative’ painting will be prompted by a back-story unique to any one particular lifeboat station or its environs and community. As such the collection will vary in nature and in media.

ADDITIONAL FUND-RAISING events and projects will emanate from various activities; such as public launches and showings of the various paintings and prints.

LIVE PAINTING by PAUL TAGGART – during various RNLI and other fund-raising events in which Paul Taggart will participate with the aim of completing an on-the-spot painting for donating to the RNLI for fund-raising purposes; such as raffles and auctions.

DOCUMENTARY-STYLE FILMS will also be produced, to capture each painting, project and event as it unfolds – which will be shared on-line through Paul Taggart’s various websites, free-to-view webshows and channels (You Tube etc).

Catch up with the First Chapter of this journey which has started with a series of films and the first Master Oil Painting with accompanying Fund-Raising Limited Edition Print - in honour of the crew of eight of the Lifeboat T.G.B. from Longhope in the Orkney Islands.

A warm welcome awaits guests at 'Awash With Whisky' on Friday Nov 4 2011 from the many generous contributors and donors who have stepped forward to offer their products and services in support of this fund-raising project in aid of RNLI Scotland and Dornoch Firth Lifeboat. Please help us all to repeat the success of the inaugural event in 2010, when thousands of £ (GBSterling) were raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.

EVENT: "Awash With Whisky"

JOINT BENEFICIARIES: RNLI Scotland (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and ESRA Dornoch Lifebaot

DATE: Friday November 4th 2011

START TIME: 7pm

VENUE: Dornoch Castle Hotel, Castle Street, Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland, UK

CONTACT DETAILS: [Telephone] 01862 810216 [EMail] enquiries@dornochcastlehotel.com

WE DO HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US IN AN EVENING DEDICATED TO RAISING FUNDS FOR THE BENEFICIARIES .......................... WHILST ENJOYING THE BEST OF SCOTTISH WHISKIES !!!!!!!

Following the runaway success of the inaugural event in 2010 which raised thousands of pounds for the beneificary Macmillan Cancer Support - we are delighted to welcome on board a host of new contributors and to receive even more valuable contributions for the Auction and the Prize Draw.

A MASSIVE BIG THANKYOU TO ONE AND ALL WHO ARE JOINING US and CONTRIBUTING TO THE ........................

+ WHISKY EMPORIUM featuring Tasting Tables presented by Award-Winning Distilleries

+ LIVE MUSIC performed by Corralach

+ DORNOCH CASTLE BUFFET created by Mikael Helies [Head Chef]

+ LIVE AUCTION featuring Valuable Whisky & Quality Lots - Malcolm McCall [Auctioneer Extraordinaire]

+ LAUNCH of 'Awash with the RNLI' fund-raising project by Artist & Author Paul Taggart plus Fund-Raising Limited Edition Prints for sale

+ PRIZE DRAW featuring a 'Star Prize' and other valuable winning items

NOT FORGETTING OUR THANKS TO THE STAFF OF THE DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL who are once again volunteering their time to ensure that all of our guests are relaxed and enjoy themselves.

THIS IS A PRE-BOOKED TICKET EVENT (tickets for the event in 2010 sold out well in advance!) and the Ticket Price of £17.50 (GBSterling) includes a substantial contribution to the beneficiaries plus the Buffet and a Glass of Wine.

PLEASE HELP US TO HELP RNLI Scotland and ESRA Dornoch Lifeboat

'Masterclass with Paul Taggart' is an occasional series through which you can follow Artist and Author Paul Taggart as he works on one of his principal selling paintings - completed over many weeks of intensive work.

"Painting is my passion and sharing that passion gives me enormous pleasure. Although I work in all media, most particularly in my tutorials; nowadays the work produced for Private Collectors is primarily in oils, with watercolours, acrylics and pastels being used when specifically commissioned. Viewers of my tutorials will know that traditional techniques form the cornerstone of my work - which requires time and deliberation.

This considered approach means that oil paintings take many weeks, if not months and in some cases, years to produce. Viewers of my work are fascinated to understand the process that I work through to arrive at the finished painting and for this reason we started to produce filmed reveals of some of my paintings, such as 'Lone Piper', 'Bonspiel' with accompanying narrative - this collection of films will also build.

Followers of my tutorials are equally fascinated to get to grips with the traditional techniques, to have a greater understanding of them and so it is we will film a selected number of Masterclasses, focussing on one particular painting at a time.

However, to film each and every stroke as I paint would involve a monumental amount of filming and viewing time - which is why the filming will focus on one particular section (perhaps one other), so that you can watch that develop from start to finish. We do hope you enjoy these films and pick up additional hints and tips from my method of working".

'Reflecting on Longhope Sound' featured in this series of Masterclass sessions is the first painting in Paul Taggart's on-going Fund-Raising Project in aid of the RNLI - known as 'Awash with the RNLI'.