The North York Moors are beautiful this time of year (mid-August). This year, because of the unusually dry weather, everything is out early. The rowan trees are heavy with orange berries, the ash trees are laden with keys, hawthorn berries turn the hedges red and the carpets of heather are just on the turn.

The road from Hawnby to Osmotherley is one that I have only recently been introduced to, thanks to my friend Lynne. It’s stunning, with fabulous views at every turn. We drove along it, stopping to sketch at intervals. The weather was overcast, but the sun shone through every now and again, illuminating the wonderful colours.

The road to Osmotherley

Easterside Hill

Moorland track

Moorland track

The hills were gold, lilac, pink, purple, blue-green, russet, cream and even mint green… I used acrylics on paper to capture the intensity of the colours.

Stones and heather

Stones and heather at Black Hambleton

I repeated the trip a few days later, re-visiting some of the places we stopped, to collect more detail to use as reference for paintings.

Hawnby Hill

The distinctive shape of Hawnby Hill

Heather moor

Heather moor and wire fence at Black Hambleton

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing any of these works on paper. They can be supplied unmounted, in mounts ready to frame, or framed.

Here are the paintings that were developed from the works on paper…

On the Road to Osmotherley

On the Road to Osmotherley

Acrylic on canvas. 1000 x 600 mm x 30 mm box canvas

Hawnby Hill

Hawnby Hill (in progress)

Acrylic and mixed media on 500 x 200 mm canvas

Contact Kate