Lucia Smith

Having spent most of my life in Ilkley (in the valley of Wharfedale, West Yorkshire), I have always loved the Yorkshire moors – their timelessness, their hugeness, their solidity under our varying skies. I am motivated by that ‘ahhh’ moment, when the contours of the clouds suddenly match those of the land, or when the light suddenly illuminates a field or a rocky outcrop, or when one simply reaches the crest of a heather-covered hill and the world seems to say ‘look at me!’

And what about our English skies? Do you, like me, enjoy those wonderful days when the clouds make a composition all of their own? Those special days when our skies create a glorious entertainment – and by capturing the clouds you can capture the wind, the movement, and the vastness.

Bring these together in landscapes, with heightened colour to add joy and vividness – a touch of my own reaction to some of this world we live in – and the results are my pictures!

Technique – Soft pastels are my main medium – I like their vibrancy and immediacy – but I usually start with an under-painting of acrylic or watercolour. Although I used to rely on pastel paper (I favour Canson); more often these days I use a heavy watercolour paper or an acid free mount board. The latter I paint with a pastel primer to give the surface ‘grip’; sometimes with added ‘moon dust’ for extra texture.