An acrylic on gesso panel of the River Torridge looking toward Appledore. A couple of years ago we had a wonderful summer and the waters around our coast became crystal clear. This was painted from an iPhone picture whilst taking the Instow Ferry to a beer festival across the water. As we left Instow Quay we immediately saw throught the clear water to the bottom with fish swimming by. A great memory and a great night at the Appledore Hall 400 x 400mm.
Month January 2019
The hill above Saunton.
An experiment in acrylic painting techniques that I’ve discovered on Youtube. The use of paper dabbing, ragging, sgraffito and sandpaper, I’ve even used a surgical scalpel. The aim is to created many transparent layers to great depth and texture. This image is a view from the top of Saunton Hill looking out over Saunton Sands and on to the distant Westward Ho. You get that wonderful glow of cadmium yellow Gorse flowers during the year which is always a striking scene. This painting is a mixed media using acrylic, wax and watercolour pencils. The surface is an MDF panel measuring 400 x 400mm covered in a coarse gesso brushwork. It’s been a fun day. Al
Bradiford Village.
A pen and ink sketch/drawing of the lovely village Bradiford in Barnstaple, North Devon. We lived there for twenty three years and our cottage was the third one down on the left hand side. I used to walk with my twins out towards Manning’s Pit a wonderful stretch of countryside with idyllic stream called Bradiford Water. Sadly this is now in danger of crude development for housing. A very sad loss to the community if planning goes ahead. Al
Along the boardwalk to the beach.
Another painting in Bideford Black paint with some added sgraffito, picture size 610 x 440mm on Bockingford paper. This was painted after a visit to Crow Point in North Devon. After driving along a toll road you park and walk along this boardwalk to the point where you usually get the beach to yourself. This beach gives you wonderful views of Instow, Appledore and Westward Ho due to its position at the entrance to both Torridge and Taw Estuaries. Spend many happy times here building driftwood fires and watching the sunsets. Al
A mention in the local press.
I’m very pleased to have a mention in The Gazette this week with regard to the North Devon Art Trek 2019. Please check out their site and see what North Devon has to offer. I was so pleased with last year’s open studio weeks that I shall be doing the same this year. Al
Linhay on the marsh.
Linhay on the marsh, painted on 250lb Bockingford paper, 700 x 440mm. For my black and white paintings I use my own prepared Bideford Black paint from a local pigment seam and have painted on of my favourite scenes from the Braunton Marsh. Sadly the marsh is under ecological danger from encroaching salt water due to a breached tidal bank. Hopefully this will be repaired before irreparable damage occurs. Al
Above are the earlier stages with the use of masking fluid to keep areas clear of the layers of paint prior to finishing. The photograph of me working is by Adrian Beasley, check out his landscape photography online. Below is an earlier painting of this Linhay.
Hercules C130J over Saunton Sands.
Hercules C130J over Saunton Sands.
On a walk around the North Devon Coast we spotted some fire trucks from Chivenor Air Base on the beach at Saunton. We knew that they practice landings and take offs from the beach and on enquiry our suspicions were realised. A Hercules C130J from Brize Norton practiced landings and in total made three landings and two aborts. A great day as the beach was very quiet. From some of my photographs I’ve made composite photoshopped images and I will be using them for some future large canvas paintings & prints. Al
Bradiford Water.
Bradiford Water near Pilton, Barnstaple, North Devon. 400 x 400mm mixed media in a recycled frame. The first picture of 2019 have a great new year! Al
Al Brown Artist. 