The Story Behind the Urban Sketching

While I was visiting my dad in England back in November 2000 he took me to Goathland where they used to film Heartbeat. I used to watch this all the time in Australia because I could relive the English countryside, even though it was set in the 60’s – 70’s.

They also filmed Hagrid collecting the kids off the Hogwarts station from Harry Potter which was actually Goathland train station. Anyway I went for a walk around village of Goathland and managed to find a few key buildings from the show while my dad had a pint in the Aidensfield Arms.

While waking I came across this magnificent tree and decided to walk down and get a better photo on my first digital camera, which I was chuffed to bits about. I managed to frame some of the local buildings between the tree branches and the stone wall.

I have always wanted to paint this scene because of its wonderful silhouette and composition, unfortunately the rest of the photo was a little dull and boring. Now I have discovered watercolour & Ink and the use of exaggerated colour, I have managed to bring a dull photo to life. Not only in bright colours but also an giving the expression of movement as well.

My Sketching and Painting Process

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Watercolour Paint, Ink & Paper

I use Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour on Arches France Watercolour Paper, 300g Hot Pressed or Fabriano Artistico Watercolour Paper 300g Hot Pressed..

Tombo Brush Pens N15, N45, N55, N60, N65, N95 and Faber Castell Fine-liners 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7

My painting come from my own experiences that I have photographed while traveling. By reading this blog, you as a viewer can now hear The Story Behind the Painting. Where, when, what was happening while I was photographing the wildlife. 

Enjoy, Chris Osborne