Thursday 24 October 2013

Before the Evening Tide


This painting was produced at a workshop with the talented Chris Forsey. It is a mixed media technique using watercolour, acrylic and pastels. The composition was taken from a site sketch I produced while on holiday in June 2012.

I went on to produce a more stylised version of this painting using techniques from Neil Meacher. The image can be viewed here.

This was created on a very wet day after a visit to Tintagel Castle. I can remember visiting this area in the 1990's and I sat eating an ice cream on the harbour wall. During the flood of 2004 this harbour was left littered with cars some of which were washed out to sea. Read the story here. The afternoon was sunny and hot but there was a stiff breeze blowing from the sea and this was where I got the idea to produce the picture Blue Fisherman.

The various steps to achieve this image and it's sister Blue Fisherman








River at Boscastle


I created this painting from a sketch I drew outside the national trust visitor centre in June 2012. I was struck by the way the afternoon sun had lit up the buildings on the opposite bank. It had just rained and the sky behind the houses and above the hill in this view was black with stormy clouds.

I used this sketch to create a stylised contemporary art work. I love the art of Neil Meacher a member of the Royal Watercolour society and I have tried to create a work in my style using his techniques. The image can be viewed here.

It was hard to imagine the devastation that was witnessed by the flood of 2004. The house in the centre of my image was completely destroyed and rebuilt to with-stand future flooding. The rebuilt car park was also raised 12 foot to help with-stand a future flood.

This is the second time I have been to Boscastle I recorded my first visit back in 1990. You can read about it here.

Below is the original sketch book sketch and studio painting




Tuesday 22 October 2013

A Christmas Gift or Special Occasion?

Are you looking for something different for a Christmas present?  Why not challenge me to produce a cartoon for you?

Do you have a family story which could be illustrated?

Let me know and I'll produce a cartoon for you. I use watercolour and the images fit within a normal A4 frame.

Here is an example of my work plus a recommendation.

 
I'm dead chuffed that I managed to keep quiet beforehand (it was a struggle). And, when he saw it, Husband was also dead chuffed. It's not often I've managed to give him a complete surprise or something that's unique. At least, not something he's liked. Helen Gazeley read the full review here




Thursday 10 October 2013

Afternoon Stroll through Boscastle


Afternoon Stroll though Boscastle is inspired by our holiday to Cornwall. We were walking back towards the town from the docks and having come out from the National Trust information centre the sun made a last desperate attempt to pick put the buildings on the opposite side of the river.

This watercolour painting (400mm by 300mm in a light oak frame) is for sale £110.

Blue Fisherman


 Blue Fisherman is inspired by a trip Boscastle, Cornwall. The harbour was busy with boats and there were people fishing from the banks. Although the sun was out there was a harsh wind cutting though the valley.

This watercolour painting is for sale £110.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon


Lazy Sunday Afternoon is inspired by our holiday to the Isle of Wight where we spent a lot of time on the beach near Applby Park in Ryde. There were rows of beach huts along the seafront and people sat outside them

This painting  (watercolour 400mm by 300mm in a white frame) is for sale £110 Please contact me if you are interested in this image.