Wayland’s Smithy

Wayland’s Smithy: watercolour on paper

One of the highlights of a summer of lockdown and restriction, was a walk along the Ridgeway, an ancient chalk path.

Near Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire, you are high up with huge open skies. It is a mysterious and magical place with an atmosphere all of its own.

How to capture the age and atmosphere was my preoccupation and I lit upon a wonderful technique. It’s called either ink resist or gouache wash off and produces an image reminiscent of a wood cut print.

I completed a short series – The Ridgeway, Uffington White Horse and Wayland’s Smithy. When the madness is over I plan to walk more of the Ridgeway.