Natural Pigments

Historical research on the Portway has led me to information on natural pigments found close to the route, including ochres of such high quality that they were the basis for the colour works in the Cromford area.

In the past, many minerals have been mined and processed in the Peak District, often to make pigments. Lead compounds, all toxic, were used to make red, white and yellow. Zinc oxide was used for white and copper (from Ecton in the western Peak) to make blues and greens. Iron oxides (ochre and 'raddle') mined around Brassington, Cromford and Crich was used for yellows, oranges, browns and reds. Manganese compounds ('wads') from Hopton, Middleton, Cromford and Griffe Grange produced reddish purple, black and rich brown. Sooty types of coal were made into black paint. British Geological Survey

Last weekend, I set out with the Elk to Hopton - I had read that umber can be found in Doglow Wood. As we scaled the hillside, dodging mineshafts, I decided this was our most absurd adventure so far: what were my chances of finding brown umber in a large very brown woodland? Skirting the woodland, we discovered a large overgrown mine 'crater', recently excavated by badgers. In the huge piles of soil were lumps of black/brown material, clearly not soil.... At home that evening my precious finds were met with amused expressions, and mutterings about badger droppings. Finely ground and mixed with linseed oil, the colour is identical to Rowney Raw Umber, but suspended in my paint is adventure and satisfaction.

Careful heating has produced Burnt Umber, and added to the Portway Pigment range are a yellow sandstone from Black Rocks, ground and heated to a red shade; and a red clay from Aleck Low.



I am expecting a call from Longcliffe Quarry to let me know my ochre is ready for collection, so more paints to be made...... Here are a couple of drawings produced with the umber, sandstone, clay, and a black made from charcoal:








Top: Church of the Holy Trinity, Ashford in the Water, Below: Wardlow

Portway churches

There are several intriguing churches on the Portway: the humble semi-detached chapel of All Saints at Dale; the elegant spired landmark of St. Matthew's, Morley; the imposing St. Mary's, Wirksworth, where Saxon stones enrich the medieval walls; and the 13th Century Church of Holy Trinity at Ashford in the Water.



Since Christmas I have been concentrating on the churches, sketching interiors and exteriors. The warm toned study of St. Mary's, Wirksworth reflects the welcome shelter from the freezing fog outside. The larger painting of Morley takes an unusual viewpoint, with flat areas of paint scored, crosshatched and patterned.

Walking with the expert

On Thursday I walked the Dale Abbey to Morley church section of the route with Stephen Bailey who wrote the Portway guide. We attempted to walk, talk and record which involved far too much multi tasking for me! With some serious editing, I did get some good material for the film, but still a long way to go..... I learned so much in 3 1/2 miles - it made me realise that the project is a huge undertaking, covering nearly 50 miles of the county.


Exciting news today: Art of England magazine will cover the project in their March 2009 issue, which comes out in February. The deadline for the article is before Christmas, so rushed out in the fine weather this morning for a photo shoot!

A pint and a painting...........

The Portway was used for trade and pilgrimage for centuries, so it's important that I focus on the human element - a good excuse for a night out at one of Derbyshire's most unusual and unmodernised pubs. Sitting at the junction of the old Portway road through Wardlow, and the 'Turnpike' at Wardlow Mires, real ale is served in a cramped room of the farmhouse. A group of men who had braved the fog in a steam engine unknowingly became the subject of various sketches. It's not the sort of place where you sit with sketch book and pencil, so memory had to suffice:



The grey village of Wardlow is spread thinly along a linear stretch of Portway. The village dates from the 13th century, but the history is ancient: a Neolithic barrow was discovered when the road was widened in the 18th Century, lying a mile north east of the lookout post of Fin Cop near Monsal Head. The sunset from Monsal Head is the subject of one of the first Portway paintings completed in the summer - the sun sets right in the notch of two hills - a perfect composition.



Sunset from Monsal Head



Wardlow

Welcome to The Portway Project

In Summer 2008 I began work on a major project to record in paintings the ancient 50 mile route that crosses Derbyshire from Mam Tor to Stapleford. For some time I had been searching for a trackway to record, but those that I knew had no historical basis. Stephen Bailey's Portway walking guide, published in May 2008 (www.derbyshireportway.co.uk), introduced me to the perfect route and has proved invaluable.

I have decided to start a blog of the project since the pace is rapidly increasing, and the idea growing in many directions.

An exhibition of the paintings will take place at Tregoning Fine Art, Derby, in March 2009, and will be accompanied by a colour book and a short film. (www.tregoningfineart.com)




Above: Dale Abbey Hermitage (oil on canvas, 40 x 50cm)

Yesterday I met Stephen Bailey, who kindly commented on work so far. It was great to discuss the route with the expert, and we have decided to walk several sections together to record material for the film.

Work so far has concentrated on short sections of the route, particularly around Dale Abbey and Ashford in the Water:




Above: Ashford in the Water (oil on canvas, 60 x 30cm)

Visit www.lindseyhambleton.co.uk for more background info and images