Harwich Low Lighthouse, Harwich, Essex. (Not far from Dedham Hall)

Hi folks,

Hope you’re well.  Again it’s taken me longer to get around to a new blog post than expected.

Amongst other things I’ve been busy with workshops & demos at art groups and elsewhere.  I’ve enjoyed my annual visits to teach at Windrush Gallery (former home of James Fletcher-Watson), East Devon Art Academy (in beautiful Sidmouth) and at Big Sky Art in north Norfolk.  Here are a few photos from the latter course/painting holiday, which was fun and spent mostly outdoors in good weather with great company (spot the one demo in the rain – actually always quite fun to do these.  Thank you Ann & Veronica for pics):

My demo at Burnham Overy Staithe

This demo finished just in time!

Before the always-fantastic food arrives, at our superb base, The White House, Burnham Market.

I’m back at Big Sky Art next June; now booking – please join me.  Full details and downloadable brochure can be found on the Courses & Painting Holidays page of this site.

On returning from the course I had a little experiment on tinted paper, of this view of Wells- Next-The-Sea:

Wells, on a rainy day. Featuring gouache, black and a couple of other colours, on Bockingford (slightly) tinted paper.

I’m interested in doing more on tinted paper, but was disappointed by what I found on the market, being that the tints available are a bit paler than I’d hoped.  I think I might have another go at oil painting in the winter, so that’ll be some proper opaque playing, on mid-toned grounds.

Dedham Hall

I’m excited about my first painting holiday at Dedham Hall, next April.  It’ll be wonderful to be outdoors again in Spring, and in this inspiring area of countryside & coast.  Full details of the course are also on my Courses & Painting Holidays page.  I’ve done a few paintings of around Dedham recently.  Those who have been to Dedham Hall will probably recognise this view:

Approaching Dedham Hall, cold morning

I also painted this one below, in a field by the river.  I got it finished literally just before rain hit (hence my board is packed away already in the photo of the easel here).  It’s interesting and challenging painting a scene like this of mostly foliage of different types, and trying to make it work in a pretty flat light with no cast shadows.  On this occasion I considered inventing some (shadows) but decided against.  I like our British weather and moods, and don’t always want to change it artificially into sun & shade.

Trees by the Stour, Dedham

Completed just as the rain arrives

This next one was an art group demo painting, seen here in the frame I always bung my demos into at the end.  This is a view on the river Stour very close to Dedham Hall.  We’ll definitely be venturing down to the riverside during the course.

Art group demo – On the river Stour near Dedham Hall

While in Suffolk, I had a really enjoyable meet up with well-known artist Andrew Pitt, and painted this plein air in Southwold, looking over to Walberswick:

Walberswick fisherman’s huts, from Southwold Blackshore

Watercolour artist Andrew Pitt – in action!

Andrew was just a few feet away, painting a view in the opposite direction, wisely stood in the shade and sheltered from the quite strong wind.  I opted for a less sensible option as normal, for what was an inspiring view towards the light (and approaching rain clouds – which did arrive to full effect very soon after we finished painting – again).

It’s a pleasure socialising with fellow painters and sharing experiences.
Recently I also joined Tim Wilmot, as his guest (I actually used to be a member myself about a decade ago) at the ‘Bristol Savages’ art society.  We painted in the entertainment hall (named ‘The Wigwam’) whilst musicians, poets and comedians performed on the stage.  Great fun.  Our place, quite perfectly, was at the back next to the bar.  Possibly my first ever watercolour ‘interior’, that I can remember doing, and painted in a fairly dim light.

In the Wigwam, at The Bristol Savages

Exhibition of the Pure Watercolour Society

I am very fortunate to have been invited to show two of my paintings in the upcoming group show at Windrush Gallery which features some superb and notable painters of watercolour landscape.  I’ve not exhibited alongside such luminaries before!  It’s a privilege to be involved.  This runs from the 17th – 24th of November.  Please click here to see full details of the exhibition.

Competition reminder!

Finally, please don’t forget to enter my competition if you’d like to win one of my original watercolours (a painting of your choice, from my galleries!).  Please see my previous blog post for the full details.  I hope you’ll enjoy the painting challenge.

All the best til next time,

Jem