Trip out to the Mansell Forts

 The lovely Andy Downes organised a boat trip out to the Mansell Forts, (Red Sands)  we also stayed a while at the Mulberry Harbour and SS Montgomery.   I am really glad I went, it was a 4.30 am start and a long day but we were blessed with good weather and a fairly calm sea.The forts, built in the 1940's to protect the entrance of the Thames and route to London are slowly falling into disrepair so I am really pleased that I was able to go on this trip.   Quite hard to paint in cramped conditions,  bobbing up and down!

Priory Park with the Plein Air painting group

 Southend Plein Air Painters meet once a month on a Sunday, a lot of the published sketches have been done with this group.

sketches done this year.

 I haven't posted many of the sketches that I have done this year, this is a random, motley collection!

Southend Urban Landscape Open 2024

 I haven't posted any of the work I have done lately but took part in the urban landscape day again on Saturday 28th September 2024.  A great day organised by Andy Downes.   It was a beautifully bright day but bitterly cold.   I made a concertina sketch book and decided to work my way around the designated area .  

Southend Urban Landscape Open

 Andy Downes and a fine group of volunteers organised a plein air painting day around Southend Pier on Saturday the 30th September.  The weather was perfect, not too hot, a slight breeze and best of all,  dry! I would guess about 30 artists took part, including my sketching buddies Paul and Sue.  Paul is an old hand at painting outside in all weathers but it was a first for Sue.

I bought a littlle sketch book thinking I would be able to fill it in the time we were allotted, 9am til 4pm.  I in fact only managed to do 13 little sketches, about two thirds of the book.  I was a bit apprehensive about how the paper would react to washes but in fact it was really nice to work on.  

All in all a great day.

The photo of Sue and I painting was taken by Paul Alcock, I bought the little sketch book (13x15cm) from Jacksons Art.  The photos of the sketches are in the order that they were painted.

Hyde Hall

The day started out quite chilly but we found a sheltered spot to paint the enormous sun flowers.

Southchurch Hall Gardens