Following the lifting of our long lockdown I took myself off to Cornwall and Norfolk. How I captured them in paint after being stuck at home for so long is an interesting story.
Way back in 2019 I had arranged a trip to Cornwall to paint watercolours with friends in the spring of 2020. Well we all know what happened next, and the first opportunity to get back to Cornwall was June 2021.
By which time I was so enjoying painting in oils, that I really had to almost start again with my watercolours, as it had been so long. Nevertheless I did enjoy the experience and here are a couple to show you.
First an ink and wash drawing. People keep telling me how much they love these, and why don’t I do more of them. This shows an old barn at a pretty village called St Tudy. It was a baking hot day so I positioned myself in the churchyard, sheltered by large trees. On the right is Trevone bay, on the north coast, looking down from the cliffs.
I ended the trip with some oils, here is one at Bedruthan Steps, again on the north coast, and again from the cliff tops. Click on the photos to see more like these.
My last from Cornwall was this view of Port Isaac, a beautiful fishing village, which features in the TV programme ‘Doc Martin’. Note the old naval gun, which served as defence during WW2.
And on to Norfolk, where I joined 100 approx. Artists for 9 days of glorious hot weather, painting out each day, either beaches, towns, waterways in the Broads, harbours, lighthouses etc, the variety Norfolk offers is endless. Here are some of mine,
First, is this view of the city of Norwich from Mousehold Heath, many famous artists have painted this view especially John Crome, founder of the Norwich School of Art. Then I’m at Thurne in the broads, painting this windmill. Then on to Kings Lynn port,
Where i found a ship being unloaded at low tide. Then on to the sand dunes at Waxham on the east coast, on another boiling hot day, where I met some artist friends. One of whom, Paul Alcock, caught me at work, together with Richard Bond. Click photo to see Paul’s website. My painting shows the village with it’s medieval tythe barns and church.
At the end of each day, our best works were put on display in the ‘Paint Out Norfolk’ marquee at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich and offered for sale. The very best were awarded prizes. It was a delight to see so many excellent paintings on show. Here is my view of the park. Click the photo for the Paint Out website.
