The small Lodmoor RSPB reserve, tucked into Weymouth next-door to the tip, was one of my sanity saving places during the Covid pandemic. It continues to be a calming and nourishing place for me. It’s 6.30am on what’s going to be a very hot day and the air’s still and expectant. The reserve consists of [ ]
I saw some swifts, just a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, flitting, turning, and then gone, flooding my whole being with joy. It was so unexpected, up there on the Ridgeway on this hot summer afternoon. I saw a little yellowhammer too, standing by the path. I stopped and watched it for [ ]
White Nothe (pronounced to rhyme with nose, which is what the word means) is a high point on the southern side of the Isle of Purbeck, in Dorset, on the Jurassic Coast. It s one of my most favourite places in the world. It s rare to hear any human generated sounds there, other than walkers passing [ ]
When I took the reference photo for this drawing I hadn t noticed the anti-crepuscular rays towards the right. It s one of the wonderful things about drawing and sketching, you notice lots of details that you might otherwise miss (especially if you are like me and tend to miss most things). But there they were and [ ]
Studland beach on a beautiful winter s day. Studland can get extremely busy in the summer but on this sunny (but very cold!) late afternoon in January we almost had it to ourselves. I drew this in silverpoint and I loved the process very much. It s all quite new to me. Silverpoint, if you aren t aware, [ ]
I started this drawing a year ago although it hasn t been the only picture I worked on. I had some commissions and I also spent some time drawing some smaller pictures for a local exhibition, hoping to sell them. (I did sell some pictures, I didn t sell those.) But it is a drawing a spent [ ]
I don t mind admitting I was a bit nervous about this year s SGFA Open. I d had two pictures in mind for my entry but one sold in December and the other I couldn t get finished in time. (It s still not finished.) Fortunately I did have some slightly older pictures available. (Older but within the timeframe [ ]
Lussy was a pre-Christmas commission for a couple in Switzerland. A lovely little dog (much loved but sadly now departed) for some lovely people.
Last year was a strange and lumpy one. For most of the year I had few exhibitions, few sales and few completed drawings. Then for a few months it was the complete opposite before grinding to a sudden halt again. I suppose it s more exciting that way. Exhibitions From the beginning of January until the [ ]
The South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts is a society promoting fine art across the south west of England. (The clue is in the name.) They have an annual open exhibition at Kennaway House in Sidmouth, Devon, a really lovely seaside town. This is the second year I’ve taken part. It’s always an [ ]