Architecture, art, illustration and more…

and another watercolour from 2008 this time a detailed study of part of the abbot's house at Netley Abbey near Southampton. The abbey is a ruined late medieval monastery founded in 1239 as a house for monks of the Cistercian order. My interest was in capturing the colour and texture of stonework and the way cast shadows were formed from the branches of adjacent trees. 

Posted on 26 February 2025

showing an elegantly leaning sweet chestnut (?) casting shadows across to the adjacent holly. In the background the silver birches add contrast to the wood beyond and, together with the dead tree stump, work well in creating a pleasing composition. Pencil completed on-site with colour added back in the studio. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 20 February 2025

Looking back to a more tranquil time canal boating on the Grand Union/Oxford Canal in April 2019. Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 13 February 2025

and a typical view at Ashurst looking across the open wet and heathland to the trees beyond - statutory ponies included! Watercolour over pencil in sketchbook size 190 x 280mm on Saunders Waterford 140Ib cold pressed.

Posted on 08 February 2025

to have this watercolour back again after starting its journey as part of the Concrete Castles touring exhibition in 2021. My watercolour Type FW3/26 Pillbox at Napton on the Hill was one of two artworks celebrating Britain's war defences of 1940 included in the show, the other was Type FW3/22 Pillbox on Hayling Island. Thanks to Tim Craven for organising and curating the show. Image size 340 x 500mm on 140Ib Arches Cold Pressed. Now for sale at £395 framed.

Posted on 07 February 2025

This time it's from 2008 when the country was in a global recession due to over-zealous mortgage lending and excessive borrowing etc. A time when there were very few commissions coming in which allowed me the opportunity to self-indulge a little. 

King John's Palace is a ruined Norman merchant's house in Southampton, England, incorrectly believed for a period to have been used by King John resulting in its modern name. Showing the fireplace and chimney which was removed from another building in the city and relocated onto the east wall. Image size 51 x 39cms, watercolour with gouache highlights.

Posted on 03 February 2025

Here is the second of two artworks forming part of a touring exhibition entitled "A Post-Industrial Picturesque: the Art and History of Industrial Ruins" - more information soon. The original watercolour, by John Varley (1778-1842) shows a view of Mount Snowdon, North Wales. Image size 320 x 470mm on 140Ib Arches Cold Pressed.

Posted on 29 January 2025

A watercolour completed back in 2013. I took a photograph standing next to the coach driver on the way back from a student trip to the V&A. As I recall we were just passing a junction near Winchester on the M3. I call it Motorway Sunset. Image size 284 x 388mm on 140Ib Saunders Waterford.

Posted on 04 January 2025