Category North Devon

Watersmeet Tearooms.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

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

Heywood Castle near Umberleigh.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

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.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

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/

Bideford Black.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

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.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

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.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

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

Bucks Mills.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

To get off my usual way of working today I’ve decided to be a little more spontaneous and place a time limit on my work. This is the result an acrylic on gesso panel of Bucks Mills in North Devon at almost low tide. What a great morning spent there in the Spring sunshine watching the surfers off The Gore. I remember at the Bideford School of Art one of my teachers called Jimmy or James Patterson painted a wonderful watercolour of Bucks Mills now at the Burton Gallery in Bideford. Must go back and do some plein air! Below is a pen and ink of mine of Bucks with a nod to Jimmy. Al

Bucks Mills.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

A wonderful visit to Bucks Mills with my wife on a beautiful February morning. The surfers were making the most of the surf break off The Gore, a pebble ridge that leads out to sea. We could see Clovelly in the distance with the winter mist sliding down off the cliffs and after a brief chat with a local lady we discovered a lonely seal surfacing from time to time. I would love to have use of the Artist’s Cabin someday to use as a base to paint pictures here.