Getting the Most Out of the Changeable Weather

[@dh9033]

Keep up the great observations James. I'm a big fan of your tutorials and travels. Best wishes to you, Dudley 😊

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Dudley, I’m really glad you enjoyed the travel video. Travelling to find something to paint is such a big part of being a landscape painter. Best wishes, James

[@awatercolourist]

Thanksso much for giving us an insight into your sketching methodology. I find that very helpful. 😊

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

That’s really great that you’ve got something from that! I think the sketch is one of the most important things to do but often overlooked Best wishes, James

[@zipsterone]

Really enjoying seeing you scout and work out sketches for future paintings, there is much to learn in your method for seeing and composing. As always, great visuals and audio! Thanks to you both.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Zip, Glad you enjoyed the video. Finding a picture to paint possibly one of the most difficult things to do, I feel once I’ve made that decision I’m on the homerun! Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James

[@jimsmith3653]

It certainly looks like being a challenge James but I love your enthusiasm even though the gods are not on your side. Better luck tomorrow and I look forward as always to your painting. Stay warm and dry.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Jim, It really was a challenging trip, Skye seems to be throwing all the weather it could at us. Luckily, the weather seems to be a bit better now. Thanks for watching Best wishes, James

[@sueanderson7386]

Lovely stormy skies. Plein air does present challenges. I like your idea of investigating future painting areas. Very inspiring!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Sue, I do enjoy a dramatic sky, Painting outdoors is sometimes impossible when the weather throws everything at you. As you said, it’s always good to get out to see what there is and to keep it in mind for future paintings. Best wishes, James

[@mikepreston6048]

Been to Skye many times but always gone over the bridge and turned right. Looks like I have been missing out and need to use the ferry next time. Love your view on composition, looking forward to trying it out. Great video James and more to come. We were at Neist point last October (on a wet day) so looking forward to your take on it and the view you chose to paint. Thanks.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Mike, Glad you know Skye, it’s amazing place. The best part of going via the ferry is that you visit Mallaig and the landscape around there. It was the first time I’ve visited Niest point. What an amazing place it is! I hope you enjoy revisiting it. Best wishes, James

[@victoriaharris6091]

Very much enjoyed this video. I get nervous watching the footage of you driving on the roads there because we drive on the right side here in the US!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Victoria, Driving on the left for me is completely normal. However, I do drive in Europe from time to time and you have to get in a completely different mindset. The most difficult thing is changing gear with the left-hand. We don’t really have automatic cars in Europe. Best wishes, James

[@roberthoward3723]

Great video . Am thoroughly enjoying your travel blog - appreciate the painting advice and tuitional. I notice you didn’t appear to have made any colour notes.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Robert, Glad you’re enjoying the travels. With painting landscapes, there’s a constant search for new subject and it’s such an important part of painting. I don’t take any colour notes modern cameras are so good at recording colour. However they fall along way short of actually looking at the subject in reality. Thanks for watching, Best wishes, James

[@PublishedWriter]

Thank you for that insightful explanation of composition; very helpful. And, I got some great screenshots of that beautiful old bridge.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Glad you enjoyed the composition ideas and got something from it. Maybe you could have a go at painting the bridge. Let me know how it goes. Best wishes, James

[@neuker99]

Those are some amazing landscapes James. I like how you spoke your way through while sketching the composition. So helpful to hear your decisions and see how you sketched outside your original box outline. Looking forward to seeing your next adventure!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Norm, It was a fantastic trip with so many beautiful sights . Sketching is such an important part part of landscape painting it’s the biggest tool for composition. Have you managed to get out to paint? Best wishes, James

[@neuker99]

@@JamesPotterAboutArt You've inspired me to get out often to sketch. It's a challenge. One day I'd like to visit and sketch the English coast and rolling hills. Take care James!

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

@@neuker99 That’s really great that you’re getting out of sketch. It’s so important to get out of the studio. Hopefully you can manage to come over here and paint. If you come to Scotland, let me know. Best wishes, James

[@garygreen1782]

I like the square idea 👍

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Gary, I really like the box idea for me. It’s like an insurance policy and it gets me out of trouble and a lot of frustration. Hope you can give it a go. Best wishes, James

[@pippikrumeluss5167]

Oh it all looks so beautiful !

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Pippi, It really is a beautiful place. The Bridge and the water rushing through was a fantastic sight. Next weeks video is even more amazing. Niest point is awesome! Best wishes, James

[@johngameson9768]

Reminds me of when we went to Ben Nevis It was covered by a grey cloud Interesting content again thanks

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi John , Scotland weather can be extremely frustrating. However, it is what it is. Luckily, in the next video, the weather did improve a bit and showed us why we like to travel around the highlands. I hope you have better weather on your next trip up here! Best wishes, James

[@williamw7847]

Thanks for sharing your adventures. Interesting to see how your locations differed from mine (for photography) ... eg missing out the Ord loop, taking the view from Duisdale rather than the side of IsleOrnsay. All very subjective and subject to the whims of the Skye weather! Keep safe.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi William, Glad you enjoyed the adventures. There are so many scenes to paint and photograph. I’ll do the Ord loop next time. Luckily, the weather did improve a bit, it would have been fantastic for photographers but just not stable enough to paint. I hope your photography is going well and that you’re managing to get out lots. Best wishes, James

[@martyncozens5654]

I could see the weather was deffinately not in your favour as far as painting goes but the atmoshere and landscape is amazing. The overcast sky and river at full bore looked incredible don't get that in Birmingham.

[@JamesPotterAboutArt]

Hi Martyn, The weather definitely wasn’t being kind to us painting wise but it was great to see it though. That’s what makes landscape painting so great in that it makes you get out and see the world. You definitely don’t get that sort of scene in Birmingham. Hopefully you can visit one. Best wishes, James