"Lunch in the Lanes" Painting The Lanes, Brighton

The Lanes, Brighton

I have decided to give myself a challenge and paint a Summer time scene from one of my visits to The Lanes in Brighton.
The Lanes  were once part of a small fishing village. Then the Victorians sought the therapeutic benefits of sea-water and the popularity of Brighton expanded into the town we know today .

There is an intricate maze of twisting alleyways, with a wonderful mix of history, shops,pubs and cafes. The atmosphere in the Summer sunshine is positively bubbling .
I have chosen a scene that contains many different elements , architecture, shops, cafe, trees and flowers...

Work in progress...
                                              "Lunch in the Lanes"
                                                    Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24"

Day 2 of painting The Lanes in Brighton

So far I have spent 13 hours on the composition. There are some awkward angles to get right and plenty of detail ahead. For now though I need to build up the base colours, it's time consuming but worth the effort !

Day 3 of painting The Lanes

 I am pleased to sat that I made good progress today. I've been flitting about painting a bit here and there and have made a good start on the foliage and flowers as well .

Day 4 and 5, starting to add the detail

 The weekend's progress has been much slower. I'm now working with very small brushes and gradually adding some of the detail. All going well so far and I'm enjoying painting process. It has a lot of different things in it which keeps me enthusiastic to add something new each day .

Well, with progress on the slow side I decided not to post  any more works in progress. It would be very boring to see so little change! It has taken a lot of work to complete but it has been fun !

                                            "Lunch in the Lanes"

"Lunch in the Lanes" Acrylic on canvas  (Brighton)

 

Painting the Summer in Winter

Back to the seaside

The dark bleak days have arrived.
This is the time of the year that I dislike the most and struggle to keep upbeat and enthusiastic.
 This year however I have decided that my best plan of action will be to stay with the memories of the Summer , the bright colourful seaside days !
 I made sure to make as many trips to the coast that I could in preparation of the dark Winter months, I hope my plan works!
My first painting takes me back to the glorious sunshine of Worthing beach in West Sussex.
 Blue skies, fishing boats and views of the pier..

                            "Port side to Pier" Worthing, Sussex (Sold)
                                         Acrylic on canvas  

"Port side to Pier" Painting of Worthing beach, Sussex

My next seaside memory is of the people relaxing on the beach. Hot sunny days, the sound of the sea and a good bottle of wine! ;)

                                                          "Sun Soaked"
                                    

"Sun Soaked" Acrylic beach painting

Bonfires and Autumn walks. Painting the Autumn colours

Autumn walks and celebrating Newick bonfire night

Well it's been such a busy few weeks that I have only just got around to updating my blog.
Autumn's arrival meant getting out and about on the sunny days to explore and capture the wonderful colours around me.
It also brings the fun of bonfire night. It's celebrated in a big way in Sussex and our small village excels it's self with processions, fireworks and fun. It was a big part of my childhood and as much as I still love it, my days of walking miles in fancy dress with a flaming torch are now distant memories...but....I do like to celebrate by making a hat to wear, this year my theme was "Sussex by the Sea" ...of course! ;)

My "Sussex by the Sea" bonfire hat

Anyway,  between the merriment I have been busy working on three Autumn themed paintings.
 It's been a lot more colourful this year and I have enjoyed some fantastic and inspiring views on my walks around the village. .....

                                          "An Autumn morning" 

"An Autumn morning" Acrylic on canvas

                                 

                                     "Pathway to Autumn"

"Pathway to Autumn" Acrylic on canvas

                                       "A Sussex Autumn"

"A Sussex Autumn" Acrylic on canvas

Before I go.... I would just like to say a very big "THANK YOU" to those that have been kind enough so far  to take the time to vote for me  :)  Artist Of The Year 2015