nigel.downing

Thorpeness beach, looking North.
Acrylic on wood, 30cm x 45cm.
Way back in the middle of February I was lucky enough to spend a week at this fascinating village in Suffolk. I made numerous small sketches in watercolour on the beach, including a number trying to capture the late afternoon sunshine as it lit the pebble strewn shore. This small painting was made in the studio from the series of sketches I produced. It’s always tricky trying to retain the immediacy of the live work, but I really enjoy the challenge. It’s a balance between refining and experimentation.

Porgastel, Late Friday afternoon. I managed a quick dip here… between 3 and 5 minutes…. It was surprisingly warm back on the beach. The incoming sea kept me entertained while Lorna read her book.

Beg an tour afternoon. Sat on the rocks on a Friday afternoon with the sun warming the air and brightly sparkling the incoming tide.

Qu’on voit dancer…. What an afternoon. A far cry from yesterday in the Somerset rain. A few precious days in Brittany before going back to the day job at school on Monday.

Works on paper on walls. Thanks to Lucy at Nook art cafe in Broadwalk for giving me the opportunity to show some of my paintings.

Looking along the coast to Aldeburgh.Mixed media on paper 28cm x 38cm.
Started on the beach and finished at the kitchen table when my hands had warmed up to hold a brush.

Window view, big sky.
Looking East towards Europe. This was painted on the first day of the war in Ukraine. I’ve been reading a book about 20th Century Britain and recent chapters have focussed on the horrors of the First World War Disturbing to see the awful similarities between Europe then and now.

A couple more little sketches. The afternoon light dimming as the storm moves out to sea. You need a good warm coat and gloves when the February weather is like this.

Window view, watercolour on paper 20cm x 30cm.
The light changes on the sea every time I look down to mix my paints. Tricky… but it keeps you on your toes. Two weeks later this looks about right.

Looking towards Aldeburgh as the storm passes.

Looking towards Sizewell. The sun dips in the West and the shadows lengthen on the beach. Gold and cobalt shoreline.

Another three stripe sketch…where sky and sea and Suffolk meet, with apologies to Philip Larkin.

Morning sunshine at Thorpeness. Always nice to have a bit of company and a cup of coffee.

Half term sketches. Looking out to sea as the waves break on the shore at Thorpeness. Love the ever changing movement of sea and sky.

Catcott nature reserve. Again started outside and finished in the cabin. The sketch almost becomes a new thing with the overworking, but the changes are all about catching that experience of being there, the light, colour, textures and sense of space.

Catcott sketch, started last week outside on a bright cold Friday morning. Finished in the cabin on a grey Thursday, trying to balance the colour and create more texture. I seem to like a horizontal composition.