The Lion and Snake, Lincoln (drawing)

I haven't blogged much recently as I've still been doing my "Christmas job" at a local Argos (catalogue) store. I did it for some much needed cash over the festive season. I finished today so I can get back to some serious drawing, painting and blogging.
I'm starting off with this drawing in my moleskine of the Lion and Snake pub in Lincoln, with the towers of Lincoln cathedral in the background


This is a preparatory drawing of the scene for a watercolour painting I'm going to do. I usually work from photographs I've taken and I find it useful to do a drawing first as I can sort out exactly what I'm going to include and leave out from the photo and also decide on the distribution of tonal values throughout the work. Also I just love to draw.

Chapter House, Lincoln Cathedral

Chapter House, Lincoln Cathedral

Watercolour on watercolour paper, 11 3/4" x 8 1/4"

The really wonderful feature, at least to me, of gothic architecture, is the flying butress. The magnificent stone arches that transfer the weight of the building away from the walls and down through the pillars. They allowed the medieval architects to incorporate huge windows to flood the cathedral with light. This painting shows a detail of the chapter house built at the east end of the cathedral. Oh and if you hadn't guessed it, this is another painting for my exhibition!

Statue of Tennyson, Lincoln Cathedral

And yet another painting for my exhibition.

Statue of Tennyson, Lincoln Cathedral

Watercolour on watercolour paper, 11 3/4" x 8 1/4"

This painting shows the statue of that great Victorian poet, Alfred (Lord) Tennyson with his dog in the grounds of Lincoln Cathedral. Born in 1809 in Somersby, Lincolnshire, Tennyson demonstrated his love for composing poetry from an early age. He composed a 6,000 line epic poem when he was only 12! Tennyson was responsible for some of the greatest and most influential poetry in the English language. His poems of Medieval and Arthurian legends inspired the painters of the Pre-Raphelite Brotherhood to some of their most famous works.

Lincoln Cathedral from Michaelgate

Another painting for my exhibition.

Lincoln Cathedral from Michaelgate

Watercolour on watercolour paper, 11 3/4" x 8 1/4"

For this painting, I moved out onto Michaelgate a street leading up to the cathedral. Because the cathedral is on a hill, it can be seen from most parts of the city. Here you can see the two Western Towers peeking above the grade 2 listed cottage. This cottage is owned by Lincoln City Coucil and rented out by the National Trust as a holiday cottage.

Snow Around The Western Towers, Lincoln Cathedral

The latest painting for my exhibition.

Snow Around The Western Towers, Lincoln Cathedral

Watercolour on watercolour paper, 8 1/4" x 11 3/4"

As the exhibition is taking place during the theatre's production of A Christmas Carol, I thought it would be appropriate to include at least one snow scene. I always find snow in lanscapes tricky to handle. I want to avoid the too obvious Christmas card snow scene cliche, but at the same time achieve that attractive softness that we associate with snow (at least when we are looking at out of the window of a warm and snug room).

Hopefully I have acheived that with this work.

Here is the development of the painting.

"And Were There Strangers On The Beach? (A Moonlight Fantasy)"

I was prompted to post this work after seeing the recent posting by Sylvia Jenstad, Star light....Star bright

"And Were There Strangers On The Beach? (A Moonlight Fantasy)"

Acrylic on canvas, 20" x 16"

This painting is slightly off the beaten track for me. It's one I painted a couple of years ago and was an attempt to portray a dream I've had many times.
In the dream, I'm walking along a deserted beach in the moonlight. Next to me is a small figure, but I am unable to turn and see exactly who it is. In the distance is a cliff surmounted by a tower (all very Freudian I know). Nothing much happens in the dream, but I always have the distinct feeling that there is something waiting for me in the tower.
I believe that the work manages to capture the mood and atmosphere of the dream quite successfully.
I have thought of doing more work like this, although fantasy/dream artwork isn't my usual subject. (Anyway, must,must,must, MUST get on with work for my exhibition first!!)