Dartmoor National Park: A Kaleidoscope of Light and Colour

A couple of days ago I started on My Tour of Cornwall and the Entree was Dartmoor National Park which is in the county of Devon on route to the extreme south west of England. I've been to Dartmoor a couple of times before in different seasons so this is an exciting time for me as I remember Dartmoor as a canvas on which changing light creates a wonderland of colours.

And I wasn't disappointed. First I will whet you appetite with some paintings of this remarkable landscape. Note the changing colours as the artists capture different moments of this incredible scenery.

We will start with the idyllic Cart Travelling across Dartmoor, Devon by George Henry Jenkins (1843-1914).

(Credit: artuk.org)

Dartmoor Light (Landscape) by James Martin.

(Credit: sableandhogg-gallery.co.uk)

John Christian is one of Dartmoor's foremost watercolour landscape painters. He paints to feel love. And to become part of the landscape. He is profoundly inspired, both emotionally and visually, by the landscape of Dartmoor, of which he has an intimate knowledge. (visitdartmoor.co.uk)

(Credit: visitdartmoor.co.uk)

George Trevor

(Credit: antiquefineart.com)

And a change of medium as we see some remarkable images captured on camera. This very beautiful image is titled Watercolour Painting Of Dartmoor National Park Landscape On Foggy Autumn Day is a photograph by Matthew Gibson which was uploaded on January 4th, 2018.

(Credit: fineartamerica.com)

And this stunning landscape shot is by Anna Curnow.

(Credit: asc-photography.com)

And a few of my shots- definitely not in league with the artists above but nevertheless composed with passion and love of this countryside. First, a stop over at Wells in Somerset to visit the Cathedral, my favourite cathedral in the world.

And then across a little of Dartmoor National Park.

Years ago I created a painting which featured Belted Galloways - my favourite breed of cattle. I was accused of making up the breed so here is the proof that they do really exist. What worries me somewhat is the odd man out!! Now that I didn't know- apparently there are also brown belted galloway.

And who said Mother Nature didn't have a sense of humour. Not my photo but I couldn't resist sharing it with you. What I did learn is that the belted galloway breed is tough (like all Scots) and can withstand the freezing cold winters on the moors.

(Credit: RT Camelot Ranch)

But Dartmoor isn't famous for cattle- it is famous for its ponies.

And for its wild wind swept plains with the changing palette.

And geese...

And picturesque bridges and idyllic streams.

Tomorrow we will step across the county border into Cornwall- one of the most beautiful of the English counties and home to the origins of many of our ancestors especially those of us who have mining in their blood.