Presently I’m working on a series of sketches of some of my colleagues at North Devon District Hospital at Raleigh Park, Barnstaple. Pen and Ink on thick cartridge paper. So far I’ve drawn ODPs (Operating Department Pratitioners), a member of our Support Staff and Recovery Nurses. I’m also experimenting with Uni-Ball Needle Pens and the moment instead of my usual traditional knib or Staedtler fine draughting pens!
Author Al Brown Artist.
Northam Burrows.
A Bideford Black painting of Northam Burrows in North Devon 560 x 420mm. From a lockdown exercise walk and an incoming storm inspiration for this picture came about. I particularly liked the pebbles caught in the diminishing light! Al
Cannis Aground.
A large acrylic painting on gesso primed 900 x 460mm board! This is of the old Tug / Service Vessel built in 1953. It is now lying at rest in a little inlet on the River Torridge near Appledore Shipyard in North Devon. I was taken with this image on a walk along the coast from Bideford to Westward Ho with all the rubbish and feeling of dereliction. In a dimly lit inlet this boat appears quite striking in the bright spring sunshine reflecting on the creamy white paintwork. After discussions with locals there appears controversy with regard it’s presence! Al
https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3004/cannis
Westward Ho Setting.
I was looking awhile ago on Instagram and a friend of mine called Jessica had posted this on her page. The image was taken at Westward Ho in North Devon. I decided to make this partial sketch experimenting with the opaqueness of the dark stones against the reflective sky. Acrylic on reclaimed canvas 500 x 500mm.
https://www.albrownartist.com/post/westward-ho-setting
Secret Cove.
Perhaps a painting to come of the Cannis a Thames tug/service vessel at rest on the River Torridge. https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3004/cannis
Roborough Road.
This is the final stage of this acrylic on gesso primed hardboard 1000 x 450 mm. The subject the top of Roborough Hill looking back down to Barnstaple and a fantastic view all the way back up the River Taw to the coast. I use this as a cycle route during lockdown and this view is ten minutes from my home in Pilton, North Devon. As usual the titanium white paint stands out too much due to photography! Al
Roborough Hill.
A painting in Bideford Black of Roborough Hill in North Devon. During this lockdown time I’ve been trying to find a quiet cycle route for my daily exercise. I’ve found this place at the top of a very steep Roborough Hill. From here the view is amazing with a panorama out over Barnstaple. I’m also quite pleased that I can cycle this hill in my main cog at the grand old age of 62 lol. This is painted on Bockingford paper and the image size in 640 x 410 mm.
Roborough Hill.
Another Bideford Black painting this time of Roborough Hill ten minutes from where I live. I cycle all the way up to the top where you get some sensational panoramic views out over Barnstaple and the River Taw! Early stages at the moment. Al
Linhay under a Storm.
Bideford Black pigment on 250lb Bockingford Paper. After a warm cycle ride around the Marsh in Braunton I’ve decided to paint this Linhay yet again. Stormy sky and an even more stormy time for everyone regarding the present Covid conditions. I thought the dark foreboding nature of this paint and subject to be quite apt! Al
Ill Wind Over Dartmoor.
An acrylic on 1000 x 700mm canvas. Inspired by an isolated walk over Dartmoor during the early part of the Corona Virus Pandemic. My son and I visited the moor with hand sanitiser and kept well away from the few people that where there. This is of Littaford Tors near Wistman’s Woods. I have added the devil blowing an ill wind from the inspiration of that day! Al
Al Brown Artist. 