Monts d'Arrée

The Monts d'Arrée are the remains of an ancient mountain range in western Brittany which forms part of the Armorican massif.

Now the eroded granite mountain range reaches a mere 385 meters at the highest point. Despite this lack of height, the Monts d'Arrée really stand out against the surrounding countryside, which in contrast is so verdant, gentle and rounded.

The ground here is largely uncultivated boggy moorland with just small pockets of cultivation. As the light changes, so does the mood of the landscape. In the winter months the colours change from dry greens and yellows to browns and misty greys. In the low winter sun browns and gingers can often turn a fiery orange.

Wonderful panoramic views can be enjoyed from many high points in Brittany, but views from the Monts d'Arrée are perhaps among the best.

This sketch looks north towards the sea. You can just make out small villages with church spires in the far distance.

The pursuit of likeness

For a long time now I have wanted to learn to draw portraits. I am not used to drawing faces or people, certainly not a likeness. However, to start with, I am making do with the best from a set of embarrassing family photographs taken over the Christmas period in France.


Any attempt I make to interpret a captured moment with a graphite stick, gives me a feeling of both frustration and pleasure all at once.

When I sketch, I am never sure if I am fully in control! My thick graphite stick, as if by magic seems to run out of my control. It slides and scrambles for a better line, searching out both good features and awkward features.

So if I am not in control who is? I wish it could be David Hockney.

The result, good or bad, I feel is a celebration, it leaves me a with better sense of myself and the person I am trying to capture on paper.

I will do my best to carry on the pursuit of likeness, and continue to wonder at the people who are able to achieve this so well.

Happy New Year

What a cold start to 2010. My fingers have been too cold to draw anything so far this year.