Evening light, Harwich

Evening light, Harwich
24 x 30 cms

At the end of the first day of teaching in Harwich (a chilly day with a strong north-easterly wind) I took my paints back out to the Quayside. It wasn't weather conditions for the faint hearted, but once I'd seen this subject well... I couldn't care less about the practical difficulties. I just get so excited and carried away... I only noticed I was shivering with cold when I was packing up afterwards.

I LOVED the red flags and of course the dazzling light on the sea. It was a real challenge because the boat was silhouetted against the water but there was still colour to be seen within that silhouetted shape, but very very muted. Even the bright red flags had to actually be painted as dirty reddish greys. A great learning experience, and I was really happy with the end result and happy that I'd earned my hot dinner.

Fishing clutter

Fishing clutter
8" x 6"

I was teaching a plein air painting weekend in Harwich with a really keen group and this is a demo painting of some interesting shapes and colours I spotted just along the road. It doesn't matter what the objects are, I neither need to know or name any of those items. I just need to find the shapes fascinating so that I can enjoy the experience and show my excitement to the viewer of the painting. 

Luckily my group were happy for me to go on with it until it was finished as I was really involved and it would have been hard to tear myself away! 

I'll be teaching a plein air weekend at the Old Bank Studios in Harwich again next May, book a place if you'd like to join me there!

Old Bank Studios

Giving a demo

Almost two weeks have gone since we last spoke! I haven't painted much since then, we travelled back to England from France and had a four day working week due to a bank holiday Monday. One of those days I drove into the centre of London to deliver some works for the Society of Women Artists exhibition. The other three days were taken up with admin, bookings, photography, printing, framing, shopping, haircut and preparing for my workshop at Old Bank Studios. Oh and an interview for a forthcoming feature in the Lincolnshire Journal magazine. No wonder that week went quickly.

The seascapes workshop on Saturday was a really great day in a fantastic venue with lovely people. Here are some photos of the day. I was bowled over by the quality of the work produced, some of which is shown here. Thanks to Nigel and Bev for the photos and for everything.

Student work

Student work

Student work

Student work

Student work

I know, amazing job all round! I'm looking forward to returning next year :-)