The Isle of Iona - a place of pilgrimage - for artists too.
Just a short note on the painting of Iona. And how those monks have hated midges too.
Gilbert Summers
5/2/20251 min read
Getting across Mull, winding westward to actually reach Iona, can seem to take forever - though it’s worth it when you get there.
Some come as pilgrims and reverently plod around the religious buildings, others for the white beaches and calmness that pervades the place. It’s just a peaceful spot and it’s quite easy to find solitude even in high season. Mind you, not really enough solitude to escape the midges. Those monks here in the old days: Viking raids were bad enough...but the midges...well really.
Iona - way out west
The Island of Iona
Painting Iona
Anyone seeking inspiration for painting Iona will start with Peploe and Cadell, two of the four Scottish painters collectively called the Scottish colourists.
They were influenced by the quality of light and the colour of sand and sea around the island. And much else that lies above my head for sure.
Anyway, reaching for Prussian blue, turquoise green and the umber number in the ‘earths’ range (ah, sienna), I have set off here to get a handle on those colours of sand, tide and rock that are especially associated with the island of Iona.
I’ve gone back to gouache with some Derwent Inktense crayon work too.