Watercolors by Stephanie Hartstang

Plein Air Painting in Scotland

Watercolor Stephanie Hartstang Atelier Südereiche Emmental Plein Air Lüderenalp Eiger Mönch Jungfrau

Scotland, September 2024

The Highlands, vast plains covered in heathland and streams, dotted with sheep, white houses framed by rugged rocky landscapes. Coasts with beaches and steep cliffs, spraying sea spray. Bustling Edinburgh. The Isle of Skye with lighthouses and waterfalls. Castles. Colorful fishing boats. Scottish weather: squalls, rain, hail, and sunshine. A small group of painters spends a week here with Wilhelm Fikisz.

Skyfall on a mild late summer day. A day of painting on the heath, surrounded by small streams and rocks—and countless midges. We paint into the valley, with Skyfall to our left, the meandering river in front of us, and mountains hidden in the mist in the background.

Change of scene – Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. It's windy and cold. Really windy and cold. We cling to the rocks. The colors are gray, yet we can still sense the magic the light can create here.

Isle of Skye, Portree, and cliffs. The colorful houses along the harbor add a playful touch to the color scheme, while the sun paints the colors on the rocks and water along the cliffs.

Edinburgh, George Street. The Scottish capital is colorful, modern, and steeped in history at the same time. And quite crowded. I was fascinated by the line of colorful sightseeing buses contrasting with the venerable buildings.

FTSFOTOGRAPHY NOUTSCHLAND ODEN Ireland

Ireland

Watercolor Stephanie Hartstang Studio Southern Oak Lighthouse Valentia Island Harbour Dingle Cliffs of Moher Ladies View

In 2022, Ireland was the destination of my watercolor tour. Again with Wilhelm Fikisz and a small group. We painted in the Ring of Kerry and Clare, including Dingle, Valentia Island, Ladies' View, and the Cliffs of Moher. Ireland is pure nature, pristine and wild, with wonderfully hospitable people. A delight for all the senses and a source of inspiration for many more painting ideas.

Here you can find my travel report on Ireland.

Plein Air in Emmental

Watercolor Stephanie Hartstang Atelier Südereiche Emmental Plein Air Lüderenalp Eiger Mönch Jungfrau

Emmental, August 2023, with Willi Fikisz

Painting plein air is always special because you're right in the middle of it all. Right in the middle of the perspective, right in the middle of the composition, right in the middle of the colors—and right in the middle of the weather. The conditions are constantly changing. Mountains that were just radiating sunlight have suddenly disappeared into the haze, and the light that had just been coming from the left suddenly comes from the right. The sun is blazing in the sky, but suddenly it starts to rain.

Planning and spontaneity are equally important. Planning in the composition of the image. Which section should I choose? What should be the highlight? Where should the light come from? Spontaneity while painting. It becomes hazier, so focus fully on what will soon no longer be visible. Changing light alters the colors. A boost for creativity.

FTSFOTOGRAPHY NOUTSCHLAND ODEN Ireland