"Sea Spray and Sun Cream" and "Seaside Shadows" Painting the girls on Brighton beach

As the Summer comes to an end I couldn't leave it without capturing the pretty girls sunbathing on the beach at Brighton.
I loved the way they just seemed to abandon everything and succumb to the last rays of the Summer sunshine.
 The waves crashing on the beach seemed to add to the over powering moment of indulgence.

                                             "Sea Spray and Sun Cream"
                                      Acrylic on canvas 24"x 16"

Painting the girls on Brighton beach

                                                 

Well as I've painted the girls with the emphasis on the sun I thought I would go the other way and concentrate on the shadows.
I was busy people watching on Brighton pier and loved the way that the shadows were cast and their silhouettes on the deck chairs.
I am working from 3 different photos so the first thing I had to do was to get the continuity of the railings right and the wooden planks of the pier, I was then able to start work on the deck chairs.

Getting the railings and woodwork in the right place .

The stripes on the chairs needed about 5 layers of paint to get opacity that I required.
 This can get a bit monotonous so to help me keep my concentration I started on the wooden chair frames.

Building up the layers on the chairs

Once the basic blocks of colour were dry I was able to flit about adding thin washes of paint. I also made a start on the shadows, these will transform the painting making it look really different

Starting to add the shadows and build up washes of colour

 .Finally the shadows are ....I hope you like it! :)
                                    "Seaside Shadows"

Seaside Shadows, painting of the girls relaxing on Brighton Pier, Sussex

              Tote bags and throw pillows are available from Redbubble  http://www.redbubble.com/people/poak/shop/throw-pillows?ref=artist_shop_product_refinement

"Seaside Shadows" Tote bags and throw pillows

 

 

 

Artist of the Year

Artgallery.co.uk are running an "Artist of the year " competition that runs from now until December.
I'm probably the least competitive person you will ever meet and have no chance of winning, but I thought I would support them as most of my sales have come from their site.
So, if you would like to vote for me it would be very much appreciated :)
Just click on the link and vote at the top of the Artgallery page

                                 https://www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/paula_oakley_2

                                                  THANK YOU  :) x

"Dray Days of Summer" Second painting of the Harveys brewery dray

Harveys dray and the John Harvey Tavern, Lewes, Sussex

I have decided to paint the Harveys brewery dray again but this time in front of the wonderful flint built building of the John Harvey Tavern in Bear yard, Lewes.
I was returning from a lovely Summer's walk to the top of Mount Caburn when I spotted the dray out side of the Tavern.
 Last time I painted them it was being pulled by Monty and Winston the beautiful shire horses. This time Monty was having a break as the roads were taking their toll on his hooves. His handsome stand in was called Guinness, a very apt name!
There's a lot of detail to go in to the painting not to mention all the flint on the walls! It will be an interesting challenge and a great subject to paint.
After sketching out the composition I have started work on the flint walls. There's quite a few bits and pieces to go on the walls so I need to get them painted and dry before I can add the hanging baskets etc.

Painting in the flint walls of the John Harvey Tavern

I've made a bit more progress today. The windows seem to be taking a long time so I've decided to flit back and forth so I don't get bored with one area.
I have also started to paint in where some of the other bits are going to go. There seems to be so many things to include and the more I study the photos I'm working from then the more I see!
 I hope to work on the horses tomorrow as they will take several layers to get the depth and colour that I want , but I also want to finish the tavern and paint the cart and the roof and.....and...and....

Work continues on the Tavern and begins on the dray

Busy day today! I have been painting for about 6 hours and have almost reached the half way mark.
It's good to get the horses started and to start adding some finer detail to other areas. A lot of shading has gone in today as well which starts to bring it to life...

Starting to paint in the horses and detail on other areas

I have spent today concentrating on the left hand side. I don't think there is much more left to do on the cart other than some small detail.

Painting in the cart

 Finally I have finished , it's been an interesting and enjoyable subject to and no doubt will not be the last time I paint it. Harveys also have a wonderful blue and red show dray that I would just love to paint!
                         
                                           "Dray Days of Summer"

"Dray Days of Summer" Acrylic on canvas

   "Draught and Dray" http://paula-paintmyworld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/draught-and-dray-painting-horse-drawn.html#.U_OIrWOFDIU


If you would like to know more about the Lewes breweries ten you might like to see this    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1088290864/ale-tales-ale-and-hearty-brewing-heritage-book

"Southern Steam"

Steam engines at the Bluebell Railway

 We live just a couple of miles away from the Bluebell Railway and can often hear the "toot toot" of the steam trains from our garden.
It's an interesting place to visit and a delight to see a part our heritage in all it's glory!
My subject is the Class B473 locomotive. It was built in 1898 for the London, Brighton and South Coast railway so it seemed fitting to add it to my "Sussex by the Sea" collection...
                                                   "Southern Steam"
                                Acrylic on box canvas 20"x 16"x 1.5"

Painting the steam train B473 from the Bluebell Railway

Wall view of "Southern Steam"

This is the second engine I have painted from the Bluebell Railway, my previous one was titled "Full Steam" and is available as a ceramic picture tile .

"Full Steam" ceramic picture tile by Fiesta Studios 

http://www.prezents.com/Full-Steam-Decorative-Ceramic-Tile-By-Paula-Oakley-p2099.html

If you are interested in steam engines and the people that worked on them then you will love this blog
http://locksands.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/my-grandfathers-clock/

Painting Brighton beach. Part 2

Brighton beach,fresh fish and West Pier

Just a pebbles throw away from the Carousel on Brighton beach  is the Fishermen's museum and kiosks selling fresh fish and various sea foods.
I spent some time here watching a man bravely feeding bread to the seagulls. They're quite alarming when swooping down for food but it was a good photo opportunity !
The view out to sea is dominated by the rusty ruins of the old West Pier that closed in 1975. It has since suffered from collapse, fire and storms leaving little but memories of times gone by.
It's now just an over sized perch for the seagulls .
I thought I would include it in my second Brighton beach painting before it disappears forever !
Sadly whilst painting it I heard news of a fire on Eastbourne's Pier 40 miles along the coast. It all seems such a shame, another part of our coastal heritage in ruins  .

Fire on Eastbourne pier, July 2014

So my painting seems very poignant at this time....


                                               "Flight to West pier"

Painting the view towards West pier at Brighton

                                     
                                Painting Brighton Beach part 1

Paintings of Brighton beach, Part 1

Brighton beach

"Oh I do like to be beside the seaside " :)
 So in this wonderful weather that's where I went !
I took myself down to Brighton again whilst the sun was shining. The tourist season is now well underway and the beach is full of fun and colour.
I usually avoid Brighton at this time of year as it gets so busy, but I wanted to capture some Summertime views . I wasn't disappointed and came back with lots of ideas for painting.
There will definitely be two on the easel from my day out.
The first is the carousel that's situated on the beach. Bright, colourful and seaside fun.
                                                "Seaside Carousel"
                                     Acrylic on box canvas 16"x 20"x 1.5"
I loved this view of the carousel as it looks like the horses are galloping out to sea .
A subject with lots of detail and so vibrant!!!
 I started work on the canopy first , there's a lot of lights to paint in so I thought I can skip back and forth to avoid getting bored.

Starting work on the canopy

We now have a heat wave which makes painting with acrylics very hard ! The paint dries on the brush before you can get it on the canvas, especially with the small brushes that I'm using.

Starting to add the horses to the carousel

I have persevered and made a little more progress to the top and also started to paint in the horses.

Painting in the base

Putting in the base means I can now flit about the painting adding bits as I go and building up the layers on the larger areas. I really need to add more of the lights next .

 

Most of today was spent adding the lights! When the canopy is finished I will give it a wash of dark vermilion to put it in the shade. 

.....a few days later.....

The hot weather has meant progress has been frustratingly slow but I have plodded on and finally finished! ....

"Seaside Carousel" Brighton beach painting

                                             
    More paintings of Brighton "Helter Skelter", "Pier View"
                                                  "Brighton pavilion"

Painting Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters

Some of my paintings of Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters

Cuckmere Haven is one of my favourite places. The views over the sea against the backdrop of the Seven Sisters is stunning. So much colour and all so beautiful!
This is the fifth time I have painted a scene from the area and probably not the last.
I started my walk at Seaford beach climbing  up the steep slope of Seaford Head . Not exactly the easiest of walks but well worth the effort !

The walk along the cliff's edge was delightful, bright sunshine, warm breezes and an array of wild flowers to brighten my route

Walking along the cliff top at Seaford Head

The path took me past Hope Gap and on to the coast guard cottages at Cuckmere Haven and yet more wonderful views.

                                            "Cuckmere Haven"
                                         Acrylic on box canvas 32" x 16"x 1.5" 

Painting of the cottages and Seven Sisters

Painting "Brighton Pavilion" and deckchairs on the beach

Brighton Pavilion

After a lot of thought and a moment of madness,  I have decided that my Sussex by the Sea series would not be complete without a painting of  Brighton Pavilion.

In 1815, George, the Prince Regent,  commissioned John Nash to transform his modest seaside villa into a wonderful oriental palace.
It has survived fires, storms and wartime damage but it's magnificent architecture remains just as wonderful today as when it was built.

It's going to be a challenge, but I think it deserves to be captured on canvas and because there is so much detail  it will be bigger than my previous paintings ....
                                               "Brighton Pavilion"
                              Acrylic on box canvas 32"x 16"x 1.5"
Everything was sketched out using a grid to make sure the perspective was correct, with so many different angles it would be easy to get confused ! I then painted in the sky and first layer of grass, this made the composition much clearer to work on.

Starting to paint Brighton pavilion

Starting from the center I have painted in some of the first layers of colour, as they dry I can then begin to build up the tones with thin washes of blues and purples.

Starting to paint in the sides of the building

Gradually I start to add the detail. Today it seemed like slow progress but it helps to photograph it step by step as I can clearly see how it's developing.

About a third of the way through painting Brighton Pavilion

I have been using very tiny brushes today and very thin washes which means that it doesn't really look like I have achieved much. but I'm happy with it so far and I havn't gone mad yet!

 Today I  have concentrated on the left hand side. There will eventually be shaded trees there so I needed to get the background in before I can start adding them. I have also nearly finished the rooftops, once they are dry I can start adding the highlights....
.....well it's now 3 days later and today I managed to complete the painting. It's not been as difficult as I had imagined and I'm happy with the blue and purple shading as it gives it a wonderful regal look :)
                                                    "Brighton Pavilion"
                                Acrylic on box canvas 32"x 16"x 1.5"

Painting of Brighton pavilion

 

Close up and wall views of "Brighton Pavilion"

                                                                             *****
Of course a trip the seaside just wouldn't be complete without colourful deckchairs, their canvas seats billowing in the warm sea breeze like the sails of seaward ships.....
                                                        "Summer Sea Breeze"
                                 Acrylic on stretched canvas 24"x 18"x 0.5"

Deckchair in the breeze at Seaford

 

                    Paintings for sale at https://www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/paula_oakley_2

"Mount Caburn Views" Painting the view of the Sussex Ouse valley

Mount Caburn, Lewes, Sussex

My walk this week took me to the top of Mount Caburn on the outskirts of Lewes.
 At 480ft it is an isolated peak with an iron age fort at the top.
 It is a National Nature Reserve with an abundance of beautiful wild flowers.
 My walk took me through pretty wild orchids and scented meadow sweet swaying gently with the delicate grasses in the warm Summer breeze.
It was a perfect day of blue skies and sunshine with superb views over the Sussex Weald.
Westwards  takes you to Glynde and along past Firle Beacon on the South Downs

View of Firle Beacon and Wilmington from the top of Mount caburn

Southwards overlooks the village of Beddingham nestled at the bottom of the Downs

Beddingham, Sussex

But it was the view South West that really made the walk worth while.
The River Ouse leaves Lewes and meanders down the valley past the picturesque villages of Rodmell, Southease and Piddinghoe, finally reaching the sea at Newhaven in the far distance.
As a young child I lived on farms in this area and enjoyed walks along the riverbank as much as I do today.
                                            "Mount Caburn Views"
                              Acrylic on box canvas 24"x 20"x 1.5"

Painting the view south from Mount Caburn

 Paintings for sale at https://www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/paula_oakley_2

"The Ploughing Match" Painting of Shire horses

The South Eastern Shire Horse Show May 2014

The May Bank holiday brought with it  beautiful sunshine, so we took the opportunity to visit the South Eastern Shire Horse show in Surrey.
The show fitted in well with my love of mixing modern day with nostalgia , it was a perfect chance to explore the wonderful array of subjects to photograph and inspire!.
 As my ancestors were all farmers  it was interesting to see some of the old agricultural methods being demonstrated, especially the heavy horses pulling the ploughs. They are magnificent animals and really looked spectacular dressed in all their finery and ornaments.

Shire horses taking part in the ploughing match

With so much choice it was hard to decide on which horses to paint but it was Sid and Sam that really caught my attention. Such rich chestnut colours adorned with blue and white plaits and shiny brasses.
                                     
                                           "The Ploughing Match"
                              Acrylic on canvas board 23"x 18"

Painting of the shire horses at the ploughing match

 

                                                            

Close up and framed views of "The Ploughing Match"

Paintings for sale at https://www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/paula_oakley_2

Painting Brighton Pier 's Helter Skelter

Brighton Pier

Clear blue skies and bright sunshine took me off to Brighton last week. I live less than 20 miles away but I don't go there very often as it can get so busy! Now and again though I just can't resist a visit to the Pier.
To me it evokes childhood memories of candy floss, sticks of rock, ice cream and last but not least....the fun fair!  A whole world of colour, lights, music and excitement! New rides that make you scream, rides that scare you and nostalgic rides that make you smile.
The Carousel is wonderful, so beautifully painted and constructed and  little has changed over the years

The carousel on Brighton Pier

but what really caught my imagination was the Helter Skelter.

Brighton Pier's Helter Skelter

The pier just wouldn't be the same without it towering above the fair like a giant stick of seaside rock, brightly painted and covered in lights. The perfect Summer seaside subject .
It's not going to be easy to paint but it will be fun!
Work in progress ...     
                                                           "Helter Skelter"
                                 Acrylic on box canvas 18"x 24"x 1.5"

Painting the Helter Skelter day 1

 After sketching out the composition I have begun to block in the larger areas by applying 3-4 coats of paint. Once dry I can start to add the tones and details.

Progress on painting the shadows and text

 It's seemed liked slow progress today. I've started to add some shading and text. There is so much small detail that I cannot get it all in! It would be easier on a flat surface but then it would start to look photographic which I don't want. I like a painting to look like a painting :)
It should all start to come together more tomorrow.

Adding more detail

 Another long day painting today! There's so much detail but I'm now over half way so it won't seem so daunting from now on.
It's now 2 days later...I decided to knuckle down and until it was finished. It's not been an easy subject to paint on this scale, there's so much detail and not enough space! If I ever paint it again it will be on a 5ft high canvas!
So here we are...
                                                     "Helter Skelter"
                                              Acrylic on box canvas 18"x 24"x 1.5"

The wonderful Helter Skelter on Brighton Pier

   Back on the beach the Helter Skelter stands proudly in the distance on the end of the pier, the perfect view on a sunshine day :)
                                                       "Pier View"
                                           Acrylic on box canvas 12"x 16"x 1.5"

The deck chairs and Brighton pier