I spent a lovely long weekend in St Ives in July and took the opportunity to do a number of oil paintings and sketches.
Painting in St Ives
Sidmouth Folk Week 2025
Absolutely love painting at Sidmouth, what a joy!! So many friendly people, amazing and inspiring music and dancing, a real buzz. I started this painting because I loved these orange umbrellas against the hubbub of Church Street, thankfully I got them in right at the start as staff in the cafe ‘Someday Something’ took them down within 5 minutes of me painting them..
I also ventured way out of my comfort zone and tried to paint some of the musicians! Definitely got a lot out of this and it’s something I want to explore further. Possibly not with oil paints though as the need to be outside proved tricky in the rain, although it turns out a pub window-sill doubles as a great pochade box support!
Topsham tides
When you are busy painting and suddenly realise the tide has come in considerably!!
Loved working on this painting on the Topsham esturary in Devon, an oil study to capture the light and colours. When I started the boat was facing the other way because the tide had gone out, but it turned direction mid painting with the incoming tide!
Plein Air Painting in Devon
Still working on a series of sketches around Devon. This has been great to build my understanding of colour and catching the changing light of my surroundings.
Sketching Exeter and Devon
Photo of me working on a quick painting of Exeter Cathedral before the light started to change too much. Caught the contrasts before the sun started to hit the building full force and changed the tonal relations of the building and the sky. Enjoyed the challenge of this, trying to simplify the complex building into a recogniseable shape with impressionistic strokes.
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair 2020
Very excited to have been selected to exhibit at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair this year!! Looking forward to seeing the other exhibitors’ work. You can see the list of exhibitors here
#artthatfits
Wrapping Prints...
I’ve been busy wrapping up prints ready for Wimbledon Art Fair Online, 14th-17th May.
I’m putting forward three prints, ‘Fieldfare’ set in Barnes Wetland Centre, ‘Starlings’ in front of the Shard, and ‘Sparrows’ in a view from Primrose Hill of the BT Tower and London Eye.
Images of the etching process...
As I can’t physically be at the May Wimbledon Art Fair this year, I thought I’d post a few images of the etching process.
From starting with a polished copper plate, burning on rosin dust with a Bunsen burner, applying layers of acid and resist to build up variations of texture, then inking up the plate and ‘wiping’ it ready to put through the high pressure press.
Framed prints for customer.
Always lovely to see some framed prints ready to wing their way to a happy customer.
Framed with non reflective museum quality glass, stained oak frame and float mounted.
Burnishing the Plate
Burnishing copper plate in the studio to make areas of the image lighter when printed. By removing some of the texture the plate doesn’t hold so much ink in these burnished areas, creating highlights or a greater contrast.
Adding Starlings to the Shard.
Final touches to the plate!