221 - VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY - DAVE EDWARDS - INK & GOUACHE - 2008

shanghaiwu, 3 months ago

this is brilliant

YOU have style!

BLYTHART in reply to shanghaiwu’s comment, 3 months ago

Phew … I only uploaded this two minutes ago and already shanghaiwu has commented … very encouraging … thanks.

tomg, 3 months ago

Wow, this is wonderful as all your art is.
You must have a large scanner if you can scan an A3 sheet. I have a pretty good scanner, but it will only take a little bit larger than A4.

BLYTHART in reply to tomg’s comment, 3 months ago

Tom, my scanner only goes up to A4, but I use my little Canon A550 pocket camera for A3 pictures.

Mike Paget, 3 months ago

Excellent fresh vibrant feel to this one!

BRENDEN HOWARD, 3 months ago

yea,i agree,nice work,love the textures you used

ELENNE BOOTHE, 3 months ago

Simply beautiful, another masterpiece my friend,
what a wonderful gift of art you have. amazing!!!

Sean Farragher, 3 months ago

beautiful work….........

kathibook, 3 months ago

Can I go there to live??? Please?? Really nice piece of work. Brilliant!!

BLYTHART in reply to kathibook’s comment, 3 months ago

It has no roof, so don’t forget to take an umbrella :))

Andy Mercer, 3 months ago

Very nice use of patterning to represent real forms Dave !
Have you been studying Ravillious ?

catblack, 3 months ago

ur work seems to get better and better all the time!
its so realistic in an cartoony way if u know what i mean
the brick detail is so good
is that a cat i see in the corner? aw))

BLYTHART in reply to catblack’s comment, 3 months ago

Your comments mean so much to me Zarah … because you see things in a different way to many other people. That is a good thing. “Whimsical” and “Stylised” are words I use to describe my art, but “Cartoony” fits the bill pretty well too, I guess. I admire Disney’s style and read a lot of comics in my youth, so maybe you are right. Yes, our cat Mao is peeping out to see what’s going on.

helene ruiz, 3 months ago

this is fantastic!! one of ur best! E X C E L L E N T!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian Towers, 3 months ago

I can see how it took longer than usual Dave, there looks to be a lot of work in this excellent painting. I see you becoming more adventerous with your colouring and detail too now. You’ve produced some lovely textures and contrasts. I think the most striking part for me is the way that central building stands out in 3D so well. Now I have to work out the sygnificance of the cat.

BLYTHART in reply to Andy Mercer’s comment, 3 months ago

Ravilious is one of many artist I admire Andy. Others include Edward Wadsworth, William Blake, Tom McGuinness, L.S. Lowry, Tristram Hillier, Frida Kahlo, Van Gogh, Suzanne Valadon, Picasso, Dali ….... I could honestly go on listing them for hours; much quicker to say who I don’t like. Most of the artists I admire produce stylised work, although I also admire the Pre Raphaelites.

catblack, 3 months ago

this will sound weird BUT

u know how u can scroll the web page so that u can look further down a page… wellllll

if u scroll the top of ur image up so that no sky is showing, just the green bushes, it looks like they are the clouds and that there is an eerie explosion or witches fire or something going on in the background. therefore, it reminds me of something from hansel and grettel, i like this one and its quirky edges and perspectives

BLYTHART in reply to Brian Towers’s comment, 3 months ago

The cat is Mao, who has to be in on everything. He sleeps on our bed, sits on our chairs, eats my dinner when I turn my back, so why not wander into my picture as well :))

Woodie, 3 months ago

This is really first class Dave. I just love it. One of your best!!
Cheers Neil

BLYTHART in reply to catblack’s comment, 3 months ago

What is more worrying than your wild imagination is the fact that I too can see the picture like that now you’ve pointed it out. Nothing you say sounds weird to me, but I do worry, ‘cos maybe it SHOULD sound weird. I started this off as a straight picture of a ruined abbey, but then I got bored, because thousands must have done the same scene as a straight representation. I slowly loosened up and ended up enjoying the experience rather than looking on it as the chore it started off to be. Mao climbs the metal ladder into my art room, so I honoured him by including him in my painting.

BLYTHART in reply to Woodie’s comment, 3 months ago

Coming from a good artist like yourself that is a much-valued compliment. Thank you my friend.

mmargot, 3 months ago

So intricate…every stone stands out. I agree about the “sky trees!”
Of course there should be a cat: wouldn’t an abbey have a cat; what better to pique imagination? Enjoying your work very much!

Marita McVeigh, 3 months ago

very, very nice work!

BLYTHART in reply to helene ruiz’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks Helen.

Patricia L. Ba..., 3 months ago

One of your best, Dave! I just love the color in this. We visited Salisbury Cathedral many years ago. The rabbit in the corner reminds to the statues they had on the cathedral grounds. The British Isles has a whimsy that is unmatched by the rest of the world. You captured it perfectly.

BLYTHART in reply to Patricia L. Ballard’s comment, 3 months ago

Oh dear … “the rabbit in the corner” doesn’t say much for my drawing skills” :)) It’s our cat.

Ulrikeart, 3 months ago

Beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry Krysak, 3 months ago

WOW this is great Dave, your work is getting better and better.
There is a lot more depth and punch in this one.
Well done!!!!

mikeloughlin, 3 months ago

Very vell done,brilliant work

Hidemi Tada, 3 months ago

very beautiful image.

Paul Compton, 3 months ago

Ah! Ink and gouache – difficult mediums. Great choice of colours and patterns as always. I also like the cat(?) on the bottom left. I think it’s really good to take a bit longer making your work, there’s no rush. Just enjoy every minute of it : )

Firedrake, 3 months ago

Beautiful, harmonious colours! I’ve never tried painting with gouache.

BLYTHART in reply to Paul Compton’s comment, 3 months ago

I placed our cat Mao into the picture as he’s never been to Wales before and I thought he’d enjoy the scenery :))

BLYTHART in reply to Firedrake’s comment, 3 months ago

I find it to be a cross between watercolours and acrylics.

Steven Novak, 3 months ago

Great colors in this one Dave. I love the glow on the trees in the background.

BLYTHART in reply to Steven Novak’s comment, 3 months ago

Thanks for noticing Steven … I am becoming more interested in light and shade these days.

Stephen Thomas, 3 months ago

Very well done art work!

Jeff Burns, 3 months ago

Gorgoeus work just beautiful

lurline, 2 months ago

Wonderful “naive” art in the Artist’s sense of the term spontaneous, fresh, uncluttered.
Great work! :)

John Edwards, 2 months ago

Great work and style Dave

BLYTHART in reply to lurline’s comment, 2 months ago

Thank you Lurline … you are very kind.

Julie Doye, 2 months ago

great peice!

Jo Hoden, 2 months ago

lovely work,:)

marlaakajake, 2 months ago

It was definately worth the time you took. The different textures and depth is
beautiful to the eye! Your work is wonderful.

BLYTHART in reply to marlaakajake’s comment, 2 months ago

With comments like that one, you are welcome to visit my Bubble any time :)) Thanks.

GloriaDK, 2 months ago

Dave due to my lack of expertise I didn’t realise I had you as a favourite but not on my watchlist which will promptly change so I can get your updates. This is really good, I have been watching some programs on digs in the U.K. and this for some reason reminds me of a representation of what may have been.

BLYTHART, 2 months ago

My Dad took me to see this when I was a boy and I did his image froma really old travel guide to the abbey. Digs happen a lot here in Britain, where they still occasionally find unexploded bombs from world War Two. Like yourself, I thought you were already on my Watchlist .. you are now :)

Colin Cartwright, 2 months ago

I love North Wales as well – especially the Betwys y Coed and Snowdonia areas.

The abbey stands out well in a 3D way.
Lots of graft, but well worth it.
Cute inclusion of the squirrel too.

BLYTHART in reply to Colin Cartwright’s comment, 2 months ago

I seem to have created a very controversial image … I included our cat Mao and so far he has been called a rabbit and a squirrel, which is must kinder than what our neighbour calls him for killing all the starlings he puts crumbs out for :)) Thanks for your compliment on the painting.

Colin Cartwright, 2 months ago

Oopps, sorry, Mao!

Dave, I think the ambiguity is there, because of the tight crop, which has taken some of the puddy’s characteristics out.

BLYTHART in reply to Colin Cartwright’s comment, 2 months ago

Mao thinks it’s a good idea to pose as a squirrel, because the birds won’t suspect him then :))

catherine walker, about 1 month ago

Gorgeous!

pinkyjain, 18 days ago

Beautiful, love the colors and interesting shapes. Mao is gorgeous as ever

BLYTHART in reply to pinkyjain’s comment, 17 days ago

At last! Someone who doesn’t think Mao is a rabbit :))

Ruth Kauffman, 14 days ago

You have a definite style that I find very pleasing to the eye! Your detail is amazing, Dave!!