Author Al Brown Artist.
In search of the elusive Bideford Black.
In search of the elusive Bideford Black Pigment otherwise known as Biddie Black. 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.
ps most of the information was from a website called The story of Bideford Black.
Old Pen & Ink Drawings.
A few old pen and ink drawings from the 1990s. I love the crispness of such drawings and from my technical draughtsman background love the contrasts achieved. But today I much prefer to keep things a little more spontaneous. But the pull of my past technical training always hinders such artism. Al
Ducks on Braunton Marsh.
Cycling along the Tarka Trail from Braunton to Barnstaple. As you near Chivenor there is a small nature reserve. I just loved the reflections and highlights of the late afternoon sun. This is a small composition for me (250mm x 300mm) Acrylic on canvas. Al
Old Art School Pen & Ink Drawings.
A couple of pen & ink drawings from a long time ago. Perhaps 35 to 40 years ago.
Jack Russell In The Grass
Jack Russell enjoying a run in a field. Acrylic on canvas 20″ x 16″. Just holding an old frame over the picture to get some idea of what it would look like finished. Al
Broken Fence On Croyde Beach.
Acrylic on canvas 20″ x 16″. View of Croyde Beach. Titanium White always looks a little stark in photograph but in the original the white certainly isn’t this vivid. Although gives quite a nice effect. Al
Storm Clouds With Rainbow.
Quite a large composition for me (830mm x 60mm) mixed media entitled Storm With Rainbow. Quite a few overlapping glazes and tones creates a look that I’m seeking. Pity the camera loses the details and colour. On the whole I quite like the direction my paintings are going in. Al
Glastonbury Festival Farewell
Well Glastonbury 2016 proved to be an ordeal. In other words, I fought the mud and the mud won! I work every year at the festival and this year was my last. I think that everyone should go at least once. It’s a little oasis from everydayland where the straightest people can paint their faces and dress up in costumes and escape the confinements of their lives. For me this year’s highlights were The Savages, Richard Hawley the Showhawk Duo! So now it’s time to move on the festivals new! Al
Sunlight Through Low Cloud.
Pastel picture of Bideford/Barnstaple Bay (470mm x 300mm). Now and again you rush and produce something like this. Not very happy with the finished picture but there and again art is a moving and linear leaning process. The particular lesson learnt here, don’t rush when you’ve only got limited time and observe, observe, observe! Time spent 45mins. Al
Original picture from a photograph from Facebook. Not too sure who’s it was.
Al Brown Artist. 