Author Al Brown Artist.

Watersmeet Tearooms.

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A warmish Bank Holiday Sunday so we drove to the carpark just above the Watersmeet Tearooms which are managed by the National Trust. Not too many people here because of Covid so we sat in the sun and each imbibed in a rather nice cream tea. The birds here are quite tame and at times you can hand feed the sparrows and chaffinches. After tea we walked down from the Tearooms to Lynmouth along the Lyn Valley. Finally we arrived at our destination and found a warm spot by the river out of the cold wind to relax in. I must say though that Lynmouth was heaving with tourists. Al
ps The first two pictures of the Tearooms were taken a few years ago when Covid hadn’t been invented yet and leaves were on the trees!

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/watersmeet/features/eating-and-shopping-at-watersmeet

Kynance Cove Revisited.

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A wonderful day of walking around the amazing Lizard Peninsula. A pleasurable walk from the Lizard carpark down to Housel Cove, then along the South West Coast Path via Lizard Point to Kynance Cove. Arriving at Kynance we were assaulted by a massive hailstorm which lasted over half an hour. Once the blue sky finally arrived you could see the storm on the horizon like an atomic bomb blast! Whilst the storm was overhead most people had left the beach, when the sun returned we had the beach to ourselves a rarity here that’s for sure. Here I always marvel at the coast’s clear turquoise water and rugged outcrops of granite stone. We returned back along the coast path spotting bobbing seals and paddle boarders making the most of the warm sunshine, then to Housel and finally the carpark. More inspiration here for future paintings! Al

The picture below shows how the sand ebbs and flows throughout the seasons. The above image was taken a few days ago May 2021 the lower image taken in the Summer 2020.

https://www.albrownartist.com/

Heywood Castle near Umberleigh.

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A trip out Heywood Forest to visit the Norman Heywood Castle. Built by the Norman in the 11th Century and is an example of a Motte & Bailey Castle. The forest has a wonderful walk through the pine trees ideal for dog walkers. From the main A377 there is a quaint drive through some idyllic country lanes lined with thatch cottages and farms.

https://www.devonperspectives.co.uk/heywood_castle.html

CIRCLE OF LIFE

Lee Abbey.

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A small acrylic on panel of a section of the South West Coast Path between Heddon’s Mouth and Lee Abbey, 370 x 610mm acrylic on panel. You can see the dot of the Abbey in the distance of this painting in the sunshine. I’ve tried to portray the cool shadows against the warm Spring sunshine and am trying to simplify my brushwork somewhat. We’re looking forward to visiting Hunter’s Inn again when it opens for a few drinks.   Al

https://www.albrownartist.com/

County Gate to Culbone and back.

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CIRCLE OF LIFE

An enjoyable circular 10 mile walk from County Gate to the village of Culbone. It was wonderful to be out walking again along the South West Coast Path. A scenic cliff path walk through densely wooded walkways with tripping streams and open fields dotted with sheep and newly born lambs. We arrived at the village of Culbone and enjoyed a picnic sitting on an old bench in the graveyard of St Beuno Church.
St Beuno Church is reported to be the smallest church in England and dates back to the 13 Century a delightful place set within an aged wood, the sunlit graveyard was a delightful way to spend time in the sun.
We returned back to County Gate via a higher footpath through farmland disturbing herds of sheep and lambs on the way. Finally we made our way back over the high moor through the County Gate Stones back to our car. Below are a couple of links with regard to this walk. Al

https://www.highcliffehouse.co.uk/county-gate-culbone-church
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culbone_Church

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church-of-the-week/st-beuno-church-culbone-0&ved=2ahUKEwiPuvbg5avwAhWEUcAKHbGMB5wQFjABegQIDxAC&usg=AOvVaw0Wi4w6ecvUsjU6Ur5sGpcz

Bideford Black.

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More of my Bideford Black paintings are here on this website. https://albrownsite.wordpress.com/category/bideford-black/

https://www.albrownartist.com/

In search of the elusive Bideford Black Pigment otherwise known as Biddiblack.  Running alongside seams of anthracite across North Devon is a black clay-like material that was mined for 200 years in Bideford for its uses as a strong black pigment. The unique ‘Mineral Black’, or ‘Biddiblack’ as it was known, was commercially produced for applications in the boat building industry, for colouring rubber products, for camouflage on tanks in WWII and was even bought by Max Factor for the production of mascara. The mines were closed in 1968 when the production of cheaper oil-based blacks and the depletion of the seam made the operation financially unviable, but many locals still remember the ‘Paint Mines’ and have tales to tell of using the paint or going into the now defunct mine shafts.  Today it’s revered by artists who love it’s inky black non reflective properties.  It first has to be dried, ground and then mixed with a medium such as PVA or Gum Arabic.  Looking forward to making my own now and seeing what images I can produce.  AL.

Most of the information was from a very informative website called The story of Bideford Black. http://bidefordblack.blogspot.com/p/history.html

Combe Martin.

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Well another foray out towards Watermouth and Broadsands although Broadsands Beach was closed due to the walk down pathway giving way. Today we remembered our flask of tea so decided to drive along the coast to Combe Martin. I must say I’ve never seen the tide out so far and there were a few women cold water swimming in the harbour. My wife and I decided to stay on our rock and drink our tea!

Blackpool Beach Hartland.

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An enjoyable walk from the top of Hartland across the cliffs via the South West Coast Path to Blackpool Beach. The spring icy breeze was in our faces but the sights were wonderful. Now back at home we’ve decided to watch The Night Watchman again because one of the filming locations. The white cottage at Blackpool Beach. By the way loved that tree as we left Stoke Village this afternoon! Below is a painting I completed a few years ago of this very place. On the left the original acrylic on canvas on the right the print. Prints available on enquiry! Al