This old barn sits shoulder to shoulder with a dry stonewall in the corner of a field in Teesdale. I’ve drawn the same building from different sides several times, each looks as spooky as the other. Hideaways for outlaws, bats and vermin, a mini world of spiders and insects live within the cavities and shadows. This barn watches your approach like an eye in the wall. No matter how far away, the black windows follow you like the eyes of a painting. There’s something very old at work here, better to be left alone.
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I always knew that there would be something lurking in those dark holes (entrances and window). I can feel it in my gut. OMG, there is even more lurking in there that I could think of. You would know, eh Keith. I still like to draw barns though.
I love your barn painting. It’s beautiful!
Thank you Debbie, strange how we’re drawn to such things. Even with my back turned to face the river I feel those eyes. Thanks again for your kind comments.
Would it have been built into the bank like that or do you think that stuff wa sbuilt up around it by the elements? It’s very creepy! (And very well drawn, Keith)
It’s a question I’ve asked myself too Val. The wall and barn sit snug to a raised embankment, over which an ancient wood hides. When you come to the end of the trees you can step from the embankment on to the barn roof (if you had a mind). The wood and embankment are far older than the barn, so I they must have thought, ‘hey! this looks a nice spot’. It’s very sinister and I feel the windows watching me even when I’m out of the wood. The work of Peg Powler me thinks. Thank you for your kind comments.
To really appreciate this I enlarged it, Keith. I am really enjoying these paintings as of late. You have jumped to another level. Wow! I don’t find this spooky like some people would. I find it interesting and it makes me wonder what it looked like when new. I just happened across this post of a photographer I enjoy visiting and thought you might like to take a look see. Your post and his have some similarities. http://bbrasseaux.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/against-the-unavoidable/
Thank you Leslie. Focusing on values before I paint has helped a lot. It still feels like working back to front, but it’s prevented me from overworking a picture. I visited the link (thank you) what a wonderful blogger, I’m going to follow. Thanks again for all your support.
I think it must be even creepier now in wintertime, with the trees bare and all those scattered dead leaves… Have you crept up and peeked in the window yet? 😉 hehe… no no, don’t do it! How old do you think it is? Your depiction of the scene is so wonderful, with the old shingles peeling away and looking a bit damp and mossy. It’s beautiful, and yet you capture the spookiness of it too!
I did have a sneak peep through the window, but it was very dark and I haven’t mustard enough courage to step inside.. (just in case the door shuts behind me).
I’m not sure the age, at least a couple of hundred years, possibly more. The area is covered with much older history, many Iron and Bronze age home steads
cling to the river bank. Some of the medieval sites have clear foundations. You can see the doors and paths to enclosures. I really enjoy sitting in this empty spaces,
they’re very atmospheric. Thank you for your kind comments Amber and still for following my humble blog.
Your words are very intense. When I read them I am immersed in the mood of the place. Your drawing is fantastic. You have so much talent! I can hear the rustle as I walk through the fallen, dry leaves to the grimy, cobweb shrouded window. Whoa! Chill up the spine!
Thank you for the kind words Linda. I’m really pleased you like my humble drawing. It’s a spooky old place to be sure and has lots of strange appeal. There’s an old folk tale about a woman who lives under the waters of the river Tees. The barns almost on the waters edge.
The barn does seem to have a sense of mystery about it. We had some abandoned structures in the woods where I grew up and spent many hours daring ourselves to go in. We could feel the energy of nature spirits, scary and thrilling at the same time… But your barn is probably much older than anything we came across here!
I’m not sure to the age, must be a couple of hundred years at least. The forest is much older. It’s good to test yourself every now and then, but not in the dark!
oh my! your words were scary. I would NEVER go there alone. But I really like your line work on this painting. You’ve made that barn seem ALIVE……
Carol, I believe it to be alive! Walking down to the barn is strange enough, but it’s when you start to walk away you feel the eyes in your back!
ok, now you’re really creeping me out. This is exactly why I don’t go to see scary movies.
I always walk with a very big stick 🙂
I am sure there is something in there………….but it is a great sketch Keith. Again well done!
Thank you Jan
Wow, the detail in this is stunning.
I used to live in the yorkshire countryside, beautiful countryside.
Scenes like these were everywhere
Those scenes are still there waiting for you! Thanks again.
Very nice drawing, as usual. What’s all this scary stuff? I can clearly see an old hippie living with his elderly mother through the window. Hendrix posters and lava lamps.
Thanks Barry. I used your ‘values’, it’s really helped change my approach. I’ll let you know about the Hendix posters, just as soon as I find the courage to step inside!
Not in the slightest bit spookey! Isn’t it interesting how the same piece of work creates so many different emotional responses?
I love how you’ve got the texture of the leaves with the pen & ink. Also like the cool colours & the whole composition.
I feel I’m doing this barn to death, but there’s one more view I need, and that’s from the window inside which looks down on the river. Gulp!
HI. I am interested in leaves this time of year and I am impressed by the way you have conveyed the leaves on the ground with a combination of a few pen strokes and the watercolor. Jane
Thank you Jane. The barn is situated in a very old wood sitting high above the river Tees. A beautiful place to kick leaves. I appreciate your very kind words.