AUTUMN AT SAUNTON

Back to landscapes this time Saunton Sands in North Devon. After an hours work just to get rid of the acrylic green aerosol spray primer I completed this painting early in the morning after a sleepless night. I’ve attempted to capture that almost spotlight quality of an Autumn sun over the Bideford Bar from the lay-by at Saunton. Acrylic on 610 x 410mm gesso primed panel. It is quite difficult to capture the true colours with my iPhone but I quite like the finished image!

SAUNTON SANDS

Saunton Sands painted on Bockingford paper using natural pigments found at Fremington Quay in North Devon. Amongst the rocks and strata at Fremington are various pigments including the usual Bideford Black, which I usually get from Greencliff at Abbotsham, a blackish colour called Poor Man’s Coal, Yellow OchreBurnt UmberWhite Clay and Grey. I collect these pigments for further preparation where I finely ground them and use them for my paintings!

If you’re not local then leg it!

I was quite taken by this surf sticker infested sign in a lay-by overlooking Saunton Sands Beach. I’ve decided to paint this sign as a challenge and nod to all the people who have had a hand in it’s creation. From these lay-bys you get a magnificent view out over Saunton Sands, the Burrows and all the way to Westward Ho and beyond. I’ve entitled this composition ‘If you’re not local then leg it!‘ In days gone by surfers used to stake claims on local breaks with words such as ‘locals only’ etc. Acrylic on gesso panel 760 x 600mm.

Hercules over Saunton Sands.

IMG_1868Whilst walking around Croyde and Saunton searching for a little artistic inspiration I noticed fire tenders from RAF Chivenor on Saunton Beach.  On enquiry I discovered that a Hercules C130J was going to practise take off and landings.  After a few cups of tea and then venturing down the beach I witnessed the wonderful spectacle of a Hercules undergoing Tactical Operations.  From my photographs taken that evening I’ve painted this acrylic on canvas impression.  Canvas size 36  x 36″.  Al

Below are a few paint palette abstracts used during the painting of this image.