Rainy Night

Oils on Canvas (12" x 24")

A while ago I did a small painting of The Walks which is a park near where I used to live and now I have used the scene together with my recent fascination for rainy scenes.  I am pleased with how this one progressed.

I like to transform what could easily be a bleak scene and using colour lift it to a new level.  To me it represents seeing the positive in difficult times. There is always colour and joy all around us, we just need to learn to see it.

Walking in the Rain

Oils on Canvas (12" x 24")

Being British means that I am well used to rain and I find I am fascinated by the reflections on wet roads.  I really enjoyed painting this one and I like the format of the canvas too. 

The Walks

There's an old Victorian Park not far from my home, I was fascinated by the wet walkway in the evening light and yet I wanted to inject colour into what might otherwise have been a dark and dull vista.

I may do more to this... not sure yet. I have to leave it sitting awhile before I decide.

Downham Station, Bill Peet style

Pen and watercolour 12" x 9"

I have wanted to paint Downham Station for some time and there are better views of it, but I thought I would have a bit of fun and do it in Bill Peet style illustration. Of course this would have to be my idea of Downham in the early years :)

The train would have been brighter but I foolishly used non-waterproof ink... and of course it ran!

I just couldn't resist incorporating that lovely horse and cart. Just love this kind of fun work.... it's sort of where my art journey began when I started drawing pencil cartoons for my kids. Fond memories.

South Gates

20 min sketch at the South Gates.

Quiet Sunday morning and a different town... the place where my roots are.

There are ruins of the old town wall all around but this is the most dramatic, the old South Gates... these days cars pass through it and beside it.

Every time I pass through I think what a wonderful painting it would make but it's a busy road and difficult to get a good place to paint. However, Sunday morning is ideal and I managed a quick sketch before I passed by today.

Not such a good sketch, but next time maybe I will get more time.

Parked Cars

30 minutes ink in sketchbook.

I am not good at cars... you can probably tell! Nevertheless, I had fun sketching this with my ink and sharpened twig.

I really love my lunchbreaks when I can get outside and sketch - even for just a few minutes. It really brightens up my day and makes me feel somehow fulfilled.

People Watching

20 min sketch watercolour pencil

Just spending a pleasant afternoon watching the people go by at Sandringham. The sun is shining and all is well with the world.

Street scene

20 min street scene

This was 7 am before work, which explains the deserted street, but Costa Coffee was open for business. After the sketch I went in for a fabulous hot chocolate.... Mmmmm, great way to start the day!