Plein air watercolour painting: creative outings to 5 places with a view
If you like to go painting during your holiday or free time, here are five suggestions for places with inspiring views on the island of Tjörn. Pack your own supply of watercolour brushes, paper and paint, or buy a DIY kit from the Nordic Watercolour Museum’s own well stocked shop. Head out on a creative journey and let yourself be enthused by Tjörn’s scenic surroundings when you create your own piece of art.
1. Tjörn’s highest point
Vetteberget is Tjörn’s highest point and from its 116 metres above sea level you can see the whole of the island. A moderately difficult four kilometre long trail gets you to the top of the hill and on Vetteberget’s summit you’ll find Bohuslän’s largest Bronze Age cairn. With views stretching for miles, which on a fine day extend all the way to Denmark, coupled with Bohuslän’s beautiful scenery and ancient history, the conditions are perfect for your creative juices to be awakened.
2. The rocks in Skärhamn
Photographer: Jesper Anhede
Bockholmen is a little island off Skärhamn, right opposite the Nordic Watercolour Museum, where you’re close to inspiring exhibitions, a restaurant and café. At the museum you’ll also find a shop if you want to buy or add to your art materials. If you look towards land you’ll see Skärhamn’s smiling church, which is decorated with a happy face during the summer.
3. Sculpture park in an ancient landscape
Photographer: Anders Jonsson
Skulptur i Pilane, close to Kyrkesund, provides stunning, unbroken views stretching all the way to the horizon. Look out to sea by the 14 metre high Anna statue of a female head, which has become an iconic silhouette on Sweden’s west coast. Enjoy art and nature here with a dynamic beauty that will give you plenty of food for thought when it comes to painting.
4. An island out to sea
Photographer: Erik Nissen Johansen
Hamneskär is a tiny island out to sea which is graced by the king of lighthouses, Pater Noster. Throughout the centuries the lighthouse guided sailors to safety past islands and reefs. The journey across the waves, the scenery and rocks combined with the lighthouse’s stunning architecture and ornamentation will definitely spark your desire to put brush to paper. You can get to Hamneskär by timetabled rib boat or on your own boat.
5. Vantage point with lots of views
Photographer: Anders Jonsson, Södra Bohuslän Turism
From Tjörnehuvud you have an outstanding view of the rocks and the sea, as well as the car free islands of Marstrand, Åstol, Dyrön, Tjörnekalv and Klädesholmen. You can reach the vantage point from Tjörns Havspensionat via a trail which is steep in parts, or via the seafront path from Rönnäng’s jetty. When you’re on the summit you can gaze out over the North Sea, get your art things out and start to paint.
Remember!
- Take water for painting in a re-sealable container.
- When watercolour painting outdoors, don’t dispose of the water you’ve used in the countryside.
More lovely outdoor places to paint:
- The fishing huts by Valsäng beach.
- The Röra Rump swimming spot.
- An adventurous hike with exciting caves on the path up to the Solklinten viewpoint, starting at Sundsby Säteri.
- Take the ferry to the car free island of Härön from Kyrkesund and explore a walking trail which takes you to fantastic views in stunning natural surroundings.
