Inspiration and Method

Inspiration is close at hand in our own garden, a haven for plants and creatures. The beautiful countryside around us at the head of Morecambe Bay also provides an unusual range of landscape and wildlife habitats. However, I still venture further afield especially into the North taking at least one intensive painting trip there each year.

Although on a large scale the interplay of light and colour is important in my pictures I tend to close in further to particular aspects of the landscape. This provides subject matter which at first might appear to be quite commonplace. However, when observed more closely I find there is often a great beauty in what might go unnoticed to the casual observer.

Out in the field I tend to sketch using graphite and water soluble pencils, water colour and or gouache on heavy watercolour paper. I work quickly to catch the fleeting wildlife and transient elements. In the studio I work up larger drawings with graphite pencils and powder. My paintings on canvas and board are created using a process of building up different surfaces and textures with impasto, sometimes printing and much overlayering of colour.