Monday 13 May 2013

A few more sketches from my Northumberland trip. The light was so clear and crisp, the terns and eiders really stood out against the deep blue-green sea. We also had a trip up to the teming bird colony at St.Abb's Head where I sketched Guillemots in the low evening sun. Back in deepest Essex now, but there are some compensations, such as the Nightingales in the wood just along the estuary.
Arctic and Sandwich Terns

Drake Eider, Seahouses 

Ringed Plover in the harbour

Guillemots at St.Abb's

On our way to the Farnes

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Stand Tall

As for something completely different I've just finished painting my huge giraffe sculpture for Colchester Zoo's Stand Tall campaign. Sponsored by Martin&Co, it is now at the Zoo until it appears on Colchester High Street on 2nd June 2013.


A week in Northumberland

Had a fantastic week in Northumberland with fellow artists staying at Seahouses. Rather windy, but some glorious sunny days, and what dramatic scenery. Eiders everywhere as expected, but also Long-tailed Ducks, Purple Sandpipers, and as the week progressed more Arctic and Sandwich terns. I was particularlky drawn to the dynamtic shapes and patterns of the drake Eiders, especially in the sharp, bright light. Here are a selection of my sketches, more to follow.
Drake Eider snoozing amongst the colourful seaweed.
Group of drake Eiders feeding and preening in the splash zone
Inner Farne from Stag Rocks, we only made it out once to the islands due to the rough seas, and even then we found that most seabirds had not returned yet.
A few migrants were arriving, and this pile of rotting seaweed attracted upto 12 WhiteWagtails and a couple of Wheatears.
A classic NE scene, the Farnes with Arctic Terns.
Bamburgh Castle from Stag Rocks