Architecture, art, illustration and more…

Dorset cottage...

yesterday at Tolpuddle village during the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival. The annual festival is held to celebrate the memory of the Tolpuddle Martyrs who were six agricultural labourers convicted of swearing a secret oath in 1834. They became a popular cause for the early union and workers' rights movements. Watercolour in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 22 July 2024

This week's New Forest sketch...

with an emphasis on strong contrast, light and shade. At Ashurst, New Forest. Watercolour in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 20 July 2024

Something different...

While searching for images on my external hard-drive I came across this watercolour showing the Itchen Bridge in Southampton. Illustration commissioned in 2008 to show how a wind turbine would look positioned adjacent to the bridge. The idea was that it should be designed in the shape of a Merlin engine used in the Spitfire and produced in the Supermarine factory, Woolston in 1938.

Posted on 15 July 2024

Yesterday's New Forest sketch...

and an experiment on a different paper from Khadi, handmade 320gsm medium surface, white. Nice weight and texture and doesn't cockle too much unstretched. Watercolour on A4 size sheet.

Posted on 12 July 2024

Forest view with pony...

at Ashurst, New Forest. Watercolour in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 05 July 2024

Old Cemetery...

Southampton in early spring. I live close to the Old Cemetery in Southampton and my studio space was in the old Victorian Chapel for many years. The sites and sounds whilst sketching give this place a distinct atmosphere: this studio watercolour was done from a photograph taken on the day. It will be on sale as part of my exhibition during Hampshire Open Studios at the Greyladyes Chapel (GAF Foundation) in Old Bursledon this August - details to come. Image size 280 x 260mm on 140Ib Saunders Waterford cold pressed.

Posted on 27 June 2024

Just an experiment...

in simplification by overlaying flat colour washes without too much rendering of form.

Posted on 24 June 2024

Another forest view...

at Ashurst, New Forest. Watercolour in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 22 June 2024

Two watercolours...

showing gates into the enclosure at Woodlands in the New Forest: one in strong sunlight and the other overcast. The fenced-off enclosures allow gated access but keep out the commoners' animals so that young trees can grow. Once trees have grown too big for the animals to harm, an enclosure can be thrown open again. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed paper.

Posted on 15 June 2024

River View...

and strong shadows at Puttles Bridge, New Forest the other day. Mostly painted in situ and finished off with a few highlights and contrast details added back in the studio. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed paper.

Posted on 14 June 2024

Another Forest view...

this time fairly central New Forest near Minstead. Watercolour in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 13 June 2024

Watercolour sketch...

without initial pencil drawing. I'm trying to avoid so much detail in my sketchbook work so just went straight in today - about 30 mins. Watercolour in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 05 June 2024

Longcross enclosure...

and another Forest view from the centre of the enclosure near Longcross Pond. It's amazing how cool it is amongst the trees on a hot day. This one finished off in the studio. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed paper.

Posted on 03 June 2024

Ashurst New Forest...

I love the various angles the forest trees grow at always making an interesting composition. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed paper.

Posted on 01 June 2024

Forest view...

Finished this one off in the studio - Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed paper.

Posted on 30 May 2024

Stowe House and gardens...

Watercolour showing a view of the south front of Stowe House from across the lake. Stowe House is a grade I listed country house in Buckinghamshire and is the home of Stowe School. The house is owned by the Stowe House Preservation Trust and the gardens are in the hands of the National Trust. Watercolour over pencil on Saunders Waterford 140Ib NOT paper. Image size 320 x 480mm.

Posted on 24 May 2024

Dead Beech tree...

in Ashurst, New Forest. Always sad to see such giants of the forest rotting away but now that more light can flood into it's space new life can begin. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed paper.

Posted on 22 May 2024

Forest view...

showing a typical New Forest scene with stream. Sitting by a "babbling brook" I tried to portray the contrast between the sunlight beyond and cool shade under the trees, most welcome from the heat of the day. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 16 May 2024

View from Appleslade Enclosure...

looking north east towards Linwood New Forest. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 14 May 2024

Dead tree...

in the New Forest near Ashurst. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 13 May 2024

Another fallen tree...

in the New Forest near Bramshaw. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 13 May 2024

A Broken Gate...

Near Fritham in the New Forest. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 03 May 2024

Forest view...

Near Linwood New Forest. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 02 May 2024

Gnarled oak...

Colour version in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 26 April 2024

Gnarled oak...

near Brook in the New Forest. Pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 25 April 2024

Holly tree...

in the New Forest. Came across this gnarled and misshaped holly in silhouette against the sunlit background of beech and oak trees in new leaf. Pencil and watercolour in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed surface.

Posted on 20 April 2024

Sarsen Stones...

View across the meadow at Lockeridge Dene showing sarsen stones and cottage. Sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib NOT surface.

Posted on 08 April 2024

Easter break watercolour sketches...

showing two views of timber buildings in the depths of Wiltshire! Sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib NOT surface.

Posted on 06 April 2024

Open exhibition...

I'm delighted that my watercolour of Titchfield Abbey has been accepted as part of the St Barbe Open 2024 and selected as Highly Commended! A great exhibition showing a variety of 2D and 3D work and a must-see if you are in the area. https://www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/open-2024/

Posted on 22 March 2024

Stowe House and gardens...

Final stage of my watercolour showing the bridge at Stowe House. Designed to allow carriages to cross the Octagon Lake, it was originally higher over the water, but the Lake has risen over the centuries.

Posted on 07 March 2024

Stowe House and gardens...

A fifth stage of my watercolour showing Stowe House bridge - balustrade complete! Final stage will see cast shadows inside the bridge and foreground gravel path and grass verges.

Posted on 05 March 2024

Stowe House and gardens...

A fourth stage of my watercolour showing Stowe House bridge - moving on to the balustrade next! #palladianarchitecture #watercolour Stowe House #historical #bridge

Posted on 23 February 2024

The charm of the Forest...

never disappoints and this sketch celebrates the ever-changing light and atmosphere witnessed over an hour or two in one location. Sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on 140Ib Saunders Waterford NOT surface

Posted on 16 February 2024

Stowe House and gardens...

Stage #3. Just working across the bridge's decorated and weathered stone surfaces, columns and pediment. Basic washes in yellow ochre with touches of burnt sienna together with cobalt and cerulean blues with touches of alizarin crimson.

Posted on 12 February 2024

Stowe House and gardens...

Work in progress (stage two)

Posted on 04 February 2024

Another New Forest sketch...

Lovely weather in the Forest yesterday - best session so far this year! Much of the New Forest is waterlogged but this didn't deter two intrepid all-weather sketchers! Sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on 140Ib Saunders Waterford.

Posted on 27 January 2024

Stowe House and gardens...

Showing my pencil drawing on stretched Arches 140Ib paper ready for watercolour. Image size 410 x 360mm.

Posted on 17 January 2024

Some pen sketches...

done in the New Forest on a rather gloomy, cold and damp morning. A5 Sketchbook on cartridge paper using Jackson's pigment fineliners.

Posted on 13 January 2024