Its been over a year since my last post. I’ve been trying to think how I can make this site more interesting and immediate. Social Media covers a lot of requirements for showing my art to the world around me. This site is more of an archive or gallery – which my Instagram (hugh6855) Profile Page also provides.

If you have been following me over the years then I would like to thank you for your, support, interest and perseverance .

I’m going to try and show the paintings by location as this could be the most relevant connection with my viewers. All are local scenes to me – Surrey, UK – mostly started plein air but others are from photos I’ve taken on walks with the dogs.

Polesden Lacey Xmas 2024

After the Rain, Norbury Park

Molly & Pheobe

Holmbury St Mary

Walking the Dogs

Farnham

The Frame Shed (currently showing some of my work) Ripley, Surrey

Dorking Market

Westminster Cathedral, London

Mickleham Downs

Farncombe Lock

Shere

Devils Punch Bowl

Newlands Corner

Still Life

Dorking Cockeral

Polesden Lacey

Living Room

Laura (oil painting)

We travelled to France for our holidays this year. We took the dogs which was interesting!

I took my sketchbooks and made sure I took time to paint while we were out there. There was also some really ‘French’ scenes that I wanted to paint in my studio, and these turned out to be ver successful. I sold two of them and the the third won a ‘visitors choice’ at a local exhibition.

In June I travelled with the London Plein Air Group to the Isle of Wight for a week of painting the glorious views on the Island. The weather was kind for us and only became tricky with high winds on the final day. Our painting locations were very kindly organised by the Isle of Wight Art Club, organised by Carol Owen MBE.

We started, straight from the Ferry, at St Helens, Duver near Bembridge. I found a dune to protected me from the wind and painted Bembridge from across the estury mouth.

In the evening we found a beach close to our caravan and painted while some school groups played on the sand. This was in my small sketchbook.

The next day’s location was in the center of the island, Godshill. This is a perfect thatched cottage village with church, plus a horse and trap passing through it.

Cowes Harbour followed, with lovely weather and fantastic views.

Yarmouth was next. We had so much sun over the five days I wanted to paint the highights and shadows I’d been observing so I found this scene looking through the trees to the Solent.

Our final day was a windy Freshwater Bay. Once again we had beautiful light and I was inspired by the scene from the beach.

As I paint more and more outside so my studio paintings become less and less. However, they are vital for learning, experimenting and giving more time to each painting. Here are some of my paintings that I have produced this year so far.

The weather and seasons always play a big part in painting outdoors. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the new greens of spring after the greys and browns of winter.

With such changeable weather this Spring the chance for good quality painting has been limited. I’ve painted in the rain, overcast skys and extreme cold and these conditions don’t create the best work. But I’ve been pleased with the outcomes considering the limitations of the weather.

I’ve been painting with groups a lot recently , such as the Surrey Hills Plein Air Group, London Plein Air group and painting with friends. This has had the effect of keeping me active and going to locations i would not normally think of going to.

This was my first 1/2 imperial sized watercolour painting outdoors. It was painted at the Victoria Tower Gardens with the London Plein Air Group. The weather was pretty dull but it allowed me to use interesting colours in the sky and

Every time I start a painting there is always a stage where I question my process, the colours I use, the composition and a host of other thoughts. So I’m always looking to improve or just freshen up my paintings.

Richard Torn (a wonderful watercolour artist) has been a big influence for me but I’ve always struggled to work out his methods. So when a course demonstrating his process work came up I jumped at the chance to learn more.

I painted this scene, following closely his style and ideas. The artist said I’d done well. So I’m using this painting to inspire and inform my future work.

I used conte crayon to map out the shapes and shadows.

Blocks of colour and masking fluid provide structure. Giving depth and texture

The stream has now colours and the trees are taking shape. Keeping the colours sharp is key

The final painting. Masking fluid has been removed and darks have more colour in them

I’m now waiting for Spring to continue my journey, so that I can get out painting, find the spring colours, highlights and shadows.

I’ve not posted on this site for a while but I’ve still been painting in my sketchbook. This year I’ve been to the Lakes and North Wales but the rest of the paintings are of my various sessions outdoors in Surrey with the Surrey Hills Plein Air Group and Leatherhead Art Club.

Lake District sketches with the London Plein Air Group

North Wales: Anglesey

Surrey Paint Outs

Sussex

A mixture of plein air and studio work , created over March and April 2022