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

 

A lovely evening with Sue at Thames Estuary Yacht Club

 It was windy enough that there was some debate over whether the sailing would take place.   The cadets race was cancelled so a couple of the kids just enjoyed jumping the waves, ice creams in hand!

latest sketches

 Visits to the Royal Hotel in Southend, a yoga retreat near Oxford and last night in a pub in Leigh.

The Hamlet

We went back to the Hamlet last night.  It is warm and popular, providing us with plenty to draw, but you really have to be quick as people come and go. Just so nice to get out together again.  

it has been a long time

 Finally went out sketching yesterday evening.  Last year was either too hot, too wet, too windy and even though this year it is too cold at the moment,  we decided to try a new pub.   Sadly the others couldn't make it but Paul Alcock and I really enjoyed sketching there.  I think quite by accident we chose an evening that was pretty busy, not sure that is the norm.  It was so nice to get out again, really need to settle down and get painting and sketching again!!!