A Trick of the Light by Ali Carter (surface ebook reader txt) 📕

‘Are you sure we’re safe?’ said Felicity as she nestled herself next to Jane.

‘Yes. They seem unfriendly at the minute, but look, they’re already beginning to spread out.’

‘Marvellous orange colour,’ commented Giles. ‘I think I’m going to use pastels.’

‘You can use any medium you want. Minty’s going to paint but I’d encourage the rest of you to draw. We don’t have a very long morning.’

‘Do you want us to draw the whole thing?’ asked Lianne. ‘Should we put in the background or not? You don’t have any background in your pet portraits.’

‘When I draw animals, I focus on their character. But here it’s different.’

‘Why, Miss?’

‘Because you have an opportunity to draw a Highland cow in a Highland landscape. It makes for a nice picture.’

‘You’re going to have to give me more instruction than that,’ said Rupert.

‘Well, as with any subject, you must look very closely before you begin.’

‘Frightfully long hair they have, no?’

‘Yes, and if you look carefully, you’ll see it’s double-layered.’

‘What?’ said Jane.

‘Their coat, the top part is oily and stops the rain seeping in.’

‘The under bit is downy, isn’t it?’ said Giles. ‘Yes, a warm lining.’

‘I wish I had one,’ said Felicity.

‘Are you cold?’ Rupert sounded concerned. ‘You can have this if you want?’ and without waiting for an answer, he handed her his scarlet cashmere scarf.

‘Thank you.’

‘Going back to their coat for a minute, I want you to notice it has a slight wave, it’s not completely straight.’

‘Like Jane’s,’ said Shane with a cheeky giggle and she furiously pulled her sou’wester more firmly onto her head.

‘Why do they have such long horns?’ said Minty.

‘’Cause they’re horny.’

Lianne punched Shane’s shoulder.

‘They use them to dig for food during snowy winters.’

‘And fighting?’ asked Giles.

‘I would if I were them,’ said Shane.

‘Can we go for a walk?’ Felicity was feeling braver. ‘I think it will warm me up.’

‘Maybe we could all do a quick power walk to the gate and back instead.’

‘Would you mind if I didn’t?’ said Minty. ‘I want to get started.’

‘Me too,’ said Lianne.

‘Okay then, but it would be really helpful if anyone who’s not warming up could bring two easels each, please.’

‘In that case I’ll help.’ Rupert took off towards the bus.

Jane and Felicity huffed and puffed to the gate and by the time they were back all easels were up and I was ready to start.

‘I’ve been thinking,’ said Louis. ‘Why aren’t you drawing?’

‘I don’t want to be shown up.’

‘You can advise me then, I’ve never drawn an animal before.’

‘Sure, I’ll happily stand by your side.’

‘Oi,’ called out Shane. ‘Minty, you’re in my view.’

‘Include me in your picture then.’

Shane, genuinely nice-natured, gave in and moved his easel.

‘Can you tell us what you want us to do?’ asked Jane.

‘Of course. I would advise working out what size you want your picture to be and then draw a light frame in pencil on your paper. This will give you a boundary and help with your composition.’

‘I think I’m going to draw after all,’ said Minty. ‘There’s not enough time to paint. Can I share some-one’s pencils?’

‘You can share my pastels,’ offered Giles, ‘but you’ll have to come closer to me.’

Louis let out a faint wolf-whistle and I scowled at him.

‘Do you have paper, Minty?’

‘Yes.’

‘Right, once you’ve all drawn a frame, pick one of these beasts.’

‘They all look the same,’ said Lianne.

‘They’re similar but just for now pick one.’

‘What happens if it moves?’ said Felicity.

‘They will move and your drawing will change but try not to worry about that. It’s a general impression we’re going for. So, find your favourite part of the cow you’ve chosen…’

‘What?’ shouted Shane.

‘Find the spark which draws your eye. It could be the nose, the horn, the belly, it doesn’t matter, I just want you to choose your favourite bit as a starting point. When you have, work out the composition of your picture in relation to this bit and put a mark inside your frame.’

‘Like this?’ asked Rupert and I went to look at his picture.

He’d drawn a tuft of hair just off centre. Phew. He’d understood.

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘exactly. Then, look really hard and see what and where things intercept it. You have to focus as much on the space around the cow as you do on the cow itself. Does that make sense?’

‘Yes,’ said Felicity who was clearly enjoying the process, ‘but do I have to put the fence in?’

‘No, you’re the artist so put in and take out what you want.’

‘Can you check I’m on the right track?’ asked Jane.

Her drawing was so faint it was hard to make out but I could tell she had the right idea. ‘Put your lines in with greater definition, it will enable you to see the whole picture more clearly.’

There wasn’t nearly long enough for a proper break today so I went to get Mhàiri’s basket from the bus and handed out a cup of coffee to those who wanted one.

‘Isn’t there a nibble?’ said Jane.

‘Yes, here – who wants an oatmeal biscuit?’

‘These are getting better every day,’ said Lianne. ‘I normally ain’t like ones without chocolate on them but I’m getting a taste for plain things up here.’

‘Do you like my horns, Miss?’

‘They’re magnificent.’

Shane had drawn a huge close-up of a Highland cow’s head.

‘I’m going to have a go at drawing the tongue.’

‘Good luck.’

‘I’m finding the clouds terribly difficult,’ said Felicity.

‘I like the way you’ve drawn them, they’re good. Don’t do any more to them.’

‘What next?’

‘Focus on the foreground, it’ll give your picture perspective.’

‘Thanks, Susie.’

I really didn’t want this morning to descend into endless questions so I asked if anyone would mind if I went for a short walk.

‘You must,’ said Rupert. ‘You deserve a bit of time off.’

I headed in the direction Zoe had specifically told me not to. Back towards Stuart’s house. But I’m not squeamish about a hanging carcass, so I’m pretty sure it’ll be all right.

Up here, all around, stretch those barren landscapes Landseer must have loved when he came many, many years ago.