‘Whalley Abbey Double Arched Windows’ Helen Worthington.

Description

Another of my series entitled ‘Doorways, Gateways and Portals to Beyond’, I was inspired to paint this piece after a particularly lovely afternoon visit to Whalley Abbey in Lancashire, not so far from my home.  I’d taken quite a few photos and this was one that appealed to me as a subject for a painting, although it was several years before I felt ready to be able to tackle it in watercolours.

I’ve tried to represent the beautiful old stones of the ruined Abbey walls in light and shadow, bringing texture to the larger stones with dry brush work, which I find works well to create a rough-looking finish for stone and brickwork.

The reference photograph was taken in mid-spring, so the only foliage that was strong enough to clamber through the ruined structure was ivy – a particular favourite of mine.  I used a loose application of paint to build the foliage, being careful of the light and dark areas.  The ancient wooden sill was lovely to give an irregular shape against the strong grey stone lintel in the foreground.

Looking through one arched window to yet another set of windows is intriguing visually and also makes me consider the passage of time from when this building was full of stained glass, and monks, rather than ivy and openness.

Helen Worthington