Architecture, art, illustration and more…

Recent commission...

Sudeley Castle is a grade I listed building in the Cotswolds near to the medieval market town of Winchcombe. My watercolour shows the partially ruined banqueting hall reputedly built by Richard III in around 1483 although the main castle was started in 1443. The grounds consist of 1,200 acres with 15 acres of formal gardens. Artwork size approximately A3 on 140Ib Arches cold pressed surface created from client photos and online research.

Posted on 12 June 2021

New Forest Sketch...

Here's a colour sketch I did yesterday in the forest near Ashurst. It was quite overcast but I didn't mind as the view was so serene and much easier to find a position without having to consider the sun direction etc. About an hour and a quarter on 140Ib Saunders Waterford in 190 x 280mm hand-made sketchbook.

Posted on 05 June 2021

Exhibition successes...

I am very pleased to announce that I have work accepted in the following forthcoming shows:

• Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours open exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London (The Vyne). Dates: 20 - 29 May 2021

• St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, New Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9BH (Winchester Cathedral). Dates: 17 May - 12 June 2021

Also a further touring exhibition:

• Island Fortress 1940 exhibition - details to be confirmed

Posted on 24 April 2021

Titanic Engineers' Memorial

It was on the 10th April 1912 that the RMS Titanic set sale from Southampton on its fateful voyage which ended early on the 14th when the ship hit an iceburg and sunk the following morning with more than 1500 out of an estimated 2,224 passengers and crew lost. I thought it would be appropriate to post my watercolour of the Memorial to the Titanic Engineers in Southampton who perished on board. The bronze and granite memorial was unveiled on 22 April 1914. (It's also my birthday tomorrow!). The monument was restored in 2010. Close by on the corner of Cumberland Place and London Road, is the Titanic Musicians' Memorial to Wallace Hartley and the other musicians who played on the Titanic.

Posted on 13 April 2021

Mist across The Flats...

An early morning view across Southampton Common

Posted on 20 March 2021

New Forest Sketch...

After so long it's been nice to sit and draw in the Forest - this one is on a toned paper size 240 x 330mm using just charcoal, chalk and a sienna brown conte stick.

Posted on 18 March 2021

The Great Stour at Canterbury #4...

and here's the finished artwork with the right-hand side now complete showing the side of another building built by the friars probably as a guest hall which dates to around 1320. Image size 320 x 450mm on 140Ib Arches NOT.

Posted on 06 March 2021

The Great Stour at Canterbury #3...

Here's work-in-progress #3 of the Dominican refectory on the Great Stour river at Canterbury. Now working on the river surface, reflections and cast shadows - important to show the building reflections vertical and in the correct position. To do this I have indicated the lights and darks using Caran d'Ache coloured pencils ready to brush in. Not long to go now!

Posted on 28 February 2021

The Great Stour at Canterbury #2...

Here's a work-in-progress enlarged detail showing the Dominican refectory building on the Great Stour river at Canterbury. With the building almost complete, now to continue with the left side of the river.

Posted on 22 February 2021

The Great Stour at Canterbury...

Pencil drawing with sky wash for a watercolour showing Blackfriars, an ancient Dominican refectory, now the home of the art department of The King's School, Canterbury.

Posted on 12 February 2021

Nunnington Hall...

Here is the finished watercolour of a view looking along the path on the south elevation. I positioned myself on a low stool whilst drawing thus the low eye-level which helps to create a dramatic viewpoint. Image size 340 x 300mm on stretched 140Ib Arches NOT paper.

Posted on 07 February 2021

Work in progress...

I'm currently working on a watercolour of Nunnington Hall, a country house in North Yorkshire on a beautiful spot next to the river Rye. Here's my location drawing from a visit in 2018 and watercolour version in progress.

Posted on 02 February 2021

Here's another round tower...

This time it's St Andrew the Apostle at Framingham Earl. This lovely Grade 1 listed medieval parish church is built mainly of flint with a 12th century tower and 13th century south porch. The sunlight was perfect during my visit and brings out the subtle colours in the flint stonework. 230 x 350mm on 140Ib Saunders Waterford cold pressed. I spent far too long on this one but I really enjoyed rendering the trees and foreground details so it was worth it!

Posted on 19 January 2021

Here's the finished artwork...

showing All Saints church at Woodton in Norfolk. There was a wedding ceremony taking place at the time of my visit with guests spilling out onto the grass so I had to be discrete where possible! 230 x 350mm on 140Ib Saunders Waterford NOT

Posted on 05 January 2021

New year post...

and it's a work in progress showing a view of All Saints, Woodton in Norfolk. Another charming round tower church making this one number eleven!

Posted on 02 January 2021