Purbeck Eddies

Purbeck Eddies, oil on canvas, 40 x 50 cm

I started this in the last few days of Open Studios, working from a 2014 photograph taken off the beach at Winspit in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. I finished it today, having taken a few days off.

Kimmeridge

Kimmeridge Bay in Purbeck, Dorset is all about the rocks. It lies on the Jurrassic Coast and is a favoured destination for fossil-hunters as well as rock-pool afficianados and snorkellers. It has clear, calm water and a folly on the headland - Clavell Tower, which in 2006-8 was moved away from the crumbling cliff. 

So, of course, my painting is all about the rocks. The flat rocks in the centre dominate the image. I spent most of my time on their colours, curves and cracks, their attendant pools and the wet reflections of the summer sun, but it was the seaweed that worried me most. It was a curious colour - a bright mix of yellow, green, red and orange - and it was underwater, right in the foreground. How could I indicate that with my knife, a blunt painting instrument if ever there was one? In the end, it was all a matter of observation and approximation, as is often the case, and allowing the viewer's visual cortex to fill in the gaps.

Kimmeridge 

Oil on linen canvas, 50 x 70 cm

£400

The Only Way is Up

This isn't the whole picture; you'll find that further down this post, next to the unwashed line drawing. This climber was at Winspit in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, on the day that we were visiting the former quarry and cove during our summer holiday in Dorset. I took a photograph from a fair distance away; strong light and good fortune gave me a clear enough image to work from.

In Poole Harbour

Poole has a very large harbour, within which nestles the spiritual home of Scouting. Brownsea Island - along with a number of smaller islands - not to mention the marinas, ferry ports and cargo depots that make up the functional port.

Corfe Cirrocumulus

This is Corfe Castle in Dorset, painted this afternoon from a photograph that I took last year.

Three watercolours of Corfe Castle

I actually made something approaching a New Year's resolution this year: to improve my watercolour skills.

To that end, I have resorted to photographs from the family album of our holiday near Corfe Castle last year. The photogenic ruins of the castle itself are the common theme.

Detail of the second sketch

Not Quite Lulworth

Oil on canvas board, 5 x 7"
08 November 2013

Old Harry

Another Dorset picture, also from the beach at Studland, also based on sketches.

Corfe/Kirrin

This is a view of and from Corfe Castle. Corfe Castle is the name of the splendid ruined castle and of the pretty village; together, they guard the entrance to the isle of Purbeck in Dorset.

Purbeck from Studland

A little palette-knife oil based on a sketch made on Studland beach, Dorset.

Oil on board, 7x5"
03 September 2013