Steve PP's Surfy Art

Low Tide Croyde

2012-01-29T14:42:00.000Z

24 x 24 inches oil on canvas

This through the bushes classic, was commissioned by Croyde Surf Club for their long serving treasurer, Martin Purchase. Thanks to The Little Pink Shop Croyde , for the reference.

"Misty Morn" A Cornish Shrimper

2011-12-21T16:11:00.000Z

20 x 20 inches Oil on canvas Sold.

" Misty Morn" is a beautiful little Cornish shrimper plying it's lines along the South Devon coastline.

I really enjoyed tackling a different subject matter, sometimes it makes you take stock of what you think you know, and it really helps tighten up your observation skills.

Rainbow Fish-Something different for the Christmas stocking?

2011-12-11T11:37:00.000Z

Rainbow Fish 94 x 15cms £65 Acrylic on Driftwood

The Western Front / Searching for light- why outdoor painting can be so challenging.

2011-11-20T19:11:00.002Z

"The Western Front "

14 x 10 inches oil on board £150

"Searching for light"

9 x 6 inches oil on board £100

When you hear other artists saying that you need to be able to observe and paint quickly, when painting on location, they are absolutely right. I started on the 14 x 10 painting in the morning, under well lit bright , sunny conditions, but with a large weather front out West in the Atlantic.

By the time I had started my next painting, the cloud had completely covered the location, and dampened down the light so far, it was hard to pick any highlights out of the flat, greyness. The dunes held onto some brightness with the dry pale sand and the burnt reds of the ferns warmed up and otherwise uninspiring scene. So speed is of the essence, but only if you observe accurately, haste shouldn't replace good colour and well placed paint, but economy of detail certainly helps the quicker process, helping you capture the moment.

Happy painting!

" Cross that Bridge " Painting instinctively.

2011-11-09T13:36:00.001Z

9 x 6 inches Oil on Board £100

" Sometimes ,it's really enjoyable to paint with half closed eyes, just to get a spontaneous feel for colour and shapes. I love how it knocks all the detail out of a scene, which in turn frees you up to paint simpler shapes and concentrate on the colour and tonal value more. This scene was painted at the Lyn valley in North Devon, a beautiful spot!"

The Hidden Valley - painting plein air out in the wooded valleys of Devon.

2011-11-05T12:39:00.001Z

9 x 6 inches oil on panel. Click to bid.

" This location was a revelation to me, for years I have surfed and walked along this stretch of coast, and had always meant to go inland a few miles to see the wooded valleys where the rivers start and run there way down to the sea. After a good breakfast, the coast proved to windy and wet to paint at, so I ventured down to this valley with some artist chums, and lo and behold, the light was clear and the river was running strong after a few days of heavy rains.

Such a different discipline for me to paint lots of trees and running water after my coastal themes, but a good challenge and one that I will return to gain and again. For this painting , I pre-mixed pretty much all of the colours first, so that I could spend more intense study and painting time , without stopping and breaking concentration to mix colour.

Just as I was nearing the end of this painting a couple of hikers came and sat right in the perfect spot for their lunch, providing me with a lovely spot of red, to counter balance all of the green."

"Blow the cobwebs away" - plein air coastal painting

2011-11-03T21:43:00.001Z

14 x 10 inches Oil on Canvas board £200

Warm November-Plein air painting on the beach.

2011-11-02T12:55:00.001Z

14 x 10 inches oil on canvas board £200

" Where the waters meet" - painters in the mist

2011-10-11T16:05:00.006+01:00

15 x 5 inches Oil on panel £150

The Devon 11 ventured out onto the coast for their bi-annual trip to Lynmouth, and despite tricky weather conditions, huge fun and some excellent painting was had. This was my favourite painting from the trip.
See more about the trip here. The Devon 11 blog.

" The Return of Summer "

2011-09-28T13:31:00.002+01:00

9 x 6 oil on panel £100

At last, our temperamental English Summer has decided to play ball and we are bathed in hot sunshine and warm southerly winds.
I painted this from a lookout spot above Woolacombe Beach, and it almost feels as if the inclement weather is being shepherded away, back up to the North. The ground colour is a warm terracotta brown
Long may it stay! Will you get out and do something creative in this glorious weather?

Painting outdoors with The National Trust.

2011-09-24T16:35:00.006+01:00

I took a painting group of 9 out for two days last week as part of a National Trust working holiday.We were meant to have our first day on Tuesday, but it chucked it down. Thankfully, Wed. came up trumps with a lovely sunny day, but with a strong Westerly wind. So, we headed for the shelter of Lee Bay, tucked away on the North Coast, just a few miles away. It was beautiful, crisp clear light and a small tide, made for a great day's outdoor "plein-air painting".

The following day, Thursday, we camped out on Marine Drive above the two mile stretch of Woolacombe Beach., which treated us to glorious views across the bay towards Woolacombe, Mortehoe and Morte Point.

These guys threw themselves into the painting challenges in front of them, with enthusiasm and good humour really surprising themselves with their finished oil painting studies. We had a great laugh, and the painter's all enjoyed the creative break after a working week on the coast with the National Trust.

If you fancy taking part in a holiday of this kind give Jonathan at The National Trust here in Woolacombe an email. We are going to run this working week / painting course holiday again next September, do you think that this is the kind of holiday that you would like?

"Quiet Cove"

2011-09-17T14:55:00.001+01:00

9 x 6 inches oil on panel £100

" September brings empty beaches and quiet coves. These two young shell seekers were blissfully searching the sand for their pieces of tide-strewn treasure."

" Sunshine inbetween the Showers" - (Studio Version)

2011-09-16T12:36:00.000+01:00

26 x 20 inches oil on canvas £600 Sold

There's something really enjoyable about working up a larger canvas from a smaller study. Getting bigger brushes moving with more open body posturing has to be fun. It certainly feels good. Then to see lots of paint on a good size surface always pleases me.

" Late Summer "

2011-09-14T18:46:00.002+01:00

9 x 6 inches oil on panel £100

" Last of the summer flowers, giving there warmth to the end of Summer, quieter beaches and a calmness to all things."

" Down the Valley "

2011-09-13T22:03:00.002+01:00

9x 6 oil on panel £100

I painted this from the patio of " Greenacres" bed and breakfast here in Woolacombe , it has a stunning view down the valley, and on this morning it was especially pleasing. i started with an underpainting of mid-purple and then built up to the lights from the darks. It had a really tranquil feeling to it , especially as out of shot to the right, queues of beachgoers in their cars snaked down the hillside road to fill the beach carpark. One of this Summer's beautiful warm days.

Liquid Gold

2011-09-08T18:15:00.004+01:00

15 x 5 inches Oil on board £60 Sold.

Despite the grey and gloomy weather visiting our shores at the moment, I still managed to catch a few glorious sunsets last month, this was one such. I primed the board with a greyed up purple and pre-mixed a batch of colour at speed from sight. The application went on super fast, as anyone know who has tried to paint a sunset live, it sinks into the sea at warp speed. Very challenging, extremely intense, fast painting, great fun!

Downend to Baggy

2011-09-06T17:25:00.002+01:00

24 x 12 inches oil on canvas £230 sold.

Easel set up high in the dunes at Croyde Bay looking out across the beach to Baggy Point, as the surf goes into it's infamous low-tide set up.

Before the Stampede

2011-08-28T09:45:00.001+01:00

10' x 6" Acrylic on Canvas £50

As the August Bank Holiday swings into full steam, the beach gives an early morning stretch of it's sandy expanse, before it plays host to it's many admirers

Sun between the showers.

2011-08-22T11:26:00.003+01:00

9 x 6 inches oil on board £100

SOLD

Paul Kenton, Shaun Latham and I went down to Combesgate Beach for a lovely little surf, then spent the rest of the afternoon setting up the easels and painting.

This piece was the result of that pleasant afternoon. The sun came and went and the ominous Summer clouds returned en masse.

The light was excellent though, and I really enjoyed capturing the moments of sunlight on the ocean and headland inbetween the clouds and showers.

High Summer

2011-08-12T17:54:00.002+01:00

9 x 6 oil on board £100

Painted from the flower gardens at The Watersmeet Hotel, Woolacombe. This was such a blustery day that I had to tie my back pack to the easel to stop it taking off. Well worth it for the intensity of light and colour in the ocean as it was whipped up in a very unseaonable Summer squall.

Mid-Tide Monday Lundy

2011-08-10T22:39:00.002+01:00

9 x 6 inches , oil on panel £100.
Painted from the lawns of The Watersmeet Hotel, in Woolacombe. It was a perfect warm, Monday afternoon, the tide was dropping out and the reflections on the wet sand just shone. Pure Summer!

The Aqua Pikey paipo

2011-08-05T09:36:00.000+01:00

Just a little present for my brother in law Matt. " The Aqua Pikey Paipo", now he is an honorary member of "The Plankton Club".

Late Afternoon Sparkle.

2011-07-13T17:55:00.001+01:00

6 x6 inches
Click here to bid.

"When the day gets to the point where the sun is getting near to that yardarm, sometimes the wind drops off and the ocean glasses over and the sun sparkles on the water just light up."

Secluded Cove

2011-07-12T20:43:00.001+01:00

6 x6 inches oil on panel

Click here to bid.

Painted this from the lawns of The Watersmeet Hotel in Woolacombe, Devon. Monday afternoon and this young couple had the little beach and warm sunshine to themselves. The joys of early Summer.

You can book a one or two day painting course with me whilst staying at the Watersmeet Hotel. It has some of the best views in the country, nestled above this cove, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out below it. Couple that with fine dining and luxurious comfort and you're well on the way to feeling refreshed.

Find out more here.

Come visit my gallery on DAILY PAINTWORKS !

2011-07-06T23:28:00.000+01:00

I'd like to invite you over to the DAILY PAINTWORKS website. I have a new gallery and as of today you can bid for some of my oil paintings on their auction page.

It's a great site packed with good art. Why not pop over for a visit?

End of June

2011-07-01T15:21:00.004+01:00

6 x6 " oil on panel £60 framed Sold

Spent a very relaxing late afternoon yesterday with Paul Kenton, down on Combesgate Beach , just below the Watersmeet Hotel, we both painted a small study each, thoroughly enjoying the late June sunshine.

Baggy & Beyond- Plein Air Landscapes

2011-06-25T19:22:00.000+01:00

My new book is published today. If you fancy treating yourself or somebody special, you can get it here.

Baggy & Beyond - Plein Air Landscapes by Steven A. Pleydell-Pearce | Make Your Own Book

Angel's Antiques

2011-06-21T22:37:00.001+01:00

THE MOST UNIQUE STORE IN CALIFORNIA - DIRECTED BY JAKE JANISSE from Jake Janisse on Vimeo.
We stumbled across this Aladdin's Cave in Carpinteria, California, on route to Rincon. The owner Wayne is a real character. Somebody has captured the eclectic magic of his unique abode to a tee with this short film.

Come on in Number 10

2011-06-14T17:57:00.000+01:00

Paipos

2011-06-07T22:29:00.000+01:00

Well, it seems like the surf has been blown out and rubbish for a month now, so I made a few paipos to play on.
Thanks to Billyboarder for the flexi-spoon idea and dims, it goes like zippo! Great fun!

The Shack

2011-05-29T16:26:00.000+01:00

Looking forward to some sunny days soon!

Daily Paintworks Critique Challenge

2011-05-19T10:18:00.000+01:00

I submitted one of my small plein air studies to The Daily Paintworks website today, to be included on their Critique Challenge. Pop over and add some feedback to some lovely paintings on their site.

The Harbour

2011-05-06T09:15:00.000+01:00

60x16 inches oil on canvas Sold

Painting this large studio canvas up from my small 15x5 study was quite a challenge. You have to stand a lot further back a lot more often when working on this size. This was my choice of painting for the first exhibition of " The Devon 11", last weekend.

You can see the rest of the artists' work here.

Three Points

2011-05-04T12:15:00.001+01:00

5x5 inches Oil on wood panel Framed £50
Atmospheric perspective is often difficult to achieve when painting a wide expansive stretch of coast.
With the elements of the composition overlapping, you get to feel the distance a lot more readily.
A lovely little sparkly day at the cove.

Lundy Sparkle

2011-05-03T13:09:00.002+01:00

5x5 inch oil on panel framed £50

Conor Wilson and I, went out painting on Combesgate Beach last week, and discovered the joys of painting on small square panels. The speed that you can capture a study in was much quicker than with the larger panels we had used previously. Not to mention you don't need to mix so much paint up on your palette, which on a hot or windy day tends to dry really quickly, when you are using Alkyds.

We are both hooked on these little panels and will be using them a lot more this Spring and Summer.

Hot and Hazy

2011-04-20T09:02:00.004+01:00

9 x 6 inches Framed Oil £68

Took a trip down the coast yesterday, and painted a study at Welcombe Mouth. By the time that I had set up the easel , the late morning sun was already hot enough to create a haze over the still cool ocean.
I used a purple ground under this one, which helped with the wet sand and rocks that are in abundance here.

Art in The Yoga Barn

2011-04-19T08:53:00.000+01:00

Art in The Yoga Barn

Spring Saunton

2011-04-15T09:57:00.003+01:00

9 x 6 Oil Framed £68

The Spring sunshine drew Conor Wilson and myself outdoors to paint the wonderful overview of Saunton Sands from the Down opposite. We set ourselves a time limit of one hour to do capture as much colour and value information as possible. I love doing these quick studies, as you really concentrate on getting down on canvas, just the essential ingredients of what you see. A shorthand note taking for when you choose to paint a larger version in the studio.
I definitely know that I will be painting this one up onto a larger canvas soon.

Exmoor Gold

2011-04-13T14:38:00.002+01:00

9 x 6 inches framed Oil on Canvas Board. £68 framed.

Just a short walk from The National Trust's Exmoor Bunkhouse, takes you up onto the hill behind, revealing a stunning view south out over the moors.

The sun was just setting and the task in hand was to capture the soft light bathing the valley below. The hit of golden yellow from the Gorse that is full flower now, gave a great highlight and complementary colour note to the rest of the composition.

Rising Sun

2011-04-11T23:10:00.004+01:00

9 x 6 inches Oil on canvas board

Conor Wilson suggested this view point on our recent rip to Lynmouth, and boy!, what a beauty he picked.
The view down over the harbour with it's Rhenish Tower and sleepy Springtime river trickling it's way out to sea, was truly special. the early morning haze burnt off, but lingered just long enough to give some decent atmospheric perspective to the Cliffs in the distance.

Art on the Rocks.

2011-04-08T12:15:00.003+01:00

"Seaweed Green" 15 x 5 inches oil on wood panel £160 framed.Sold.

Having a set time limit to paint what's in front of you, can be one tough challenge, but a good one. Trying to find a new take on a familiar scene is also another good test of your compositional skills.
Down on the rocks looking back up at the Rhenish Tower, through the kelp and sea moss covered posts , proved to be testing indeed.
Laying down , big shapes with thick, heavy colour, is a really pleasing way to work and gets that canvas covered in a very short time.

Big Red

2011-04-07T10:18:00.003+01:00

15 x 5 inches Oil on wood panel £160 framed Sold.

After painting down in the harbour at Lynmouth , it was a joy to go up onto Countisbury Hill and paint back along the coast, looking west. The sun was slipping low, basking the hills in soft light, and the sea in a sparkley, yellow shimmer. The Devon Red cattle munched their way across the fields in front of my easel, the tops of their hairy coats, lit up with a gorgeous , reddy orange rim light.

Springtime in Devon at it's best!

Spring Valley

2011-04-06T16:22:00.002+01:00

15 x 5 oil on canvas. Sold.
The Lyn river winds its way down from Watersmeet through the picturesque village of Lynmouth out into the Bristol Channel, and on a day like this you feel like you've gone back in time a few hundred years.
The panoramic format suited this composition following the river's course down to the sea. Painted up from a dark purple acrylic ground.

" Lynmouth on the Rocks "

2011-04-05T13:02:00.003+01:00

15 x 5 inches Oil on wood panel Sold.

I really enjoyed painting this study down on the rocks looking across at the harbour in Lynmouth. Trying to separate the view into easily paintable planes was quite a challenge. I worked from dark up into light from an ochre ground, which I found really helpful.

" The Devon 11"

2011-04-04T21:30:00.002+01:00

" Spring Morning at Lynmouth " 15 x 5 inches oil on canvas.

Eleven surfer / painters out on the coast , promised to be an interesting three days. It didn't dissapoint. Tucked beneath the mighty seacliffs of Lynmouth, the warm Spring sunlight lit the picturesque valley and harbour up almost to order.
In such a location, you just couldn't go wrong.
Every direction that you turned was a perfect composition begging to be painted.
Head over to "The Devon 11 "blog to follow the artists on their three day painting retreat. "The Devon 11"

Painters out on the Coast

2011-03-31T21:40:00.001+01:00

Today marks the start of something exciting. Over the past month I have been contacting surfing artists/ creatives in the North Devon area , with the aim of getting us together to go outdoors and paint as a group.

So, eleven of us will be heading out today to paint for three days. Hopefully, producing enough work to sustain an exhibition, and generate enough interest to run regular painting trips , several times a year.

The first outing is to Lynmouth on the North Coast, a stunning place described by ;

Thomas Gainsborough, English painter.1727-1788, who honeymooned there with his bride Margaret Burr, as "the most delightful place for a landscape painter this country can boast".

So keep an eye out next week for postings showing some of the results of this exciting first trip.

Lighthouse Oil Paintings on Canvas

2011-03-30T12:07:00.003+01:00

Lundy 30 x 3 inches £40

Hartland 40 x 4 inches £65

Bull Point 40 x 4 inches £65

I thought that I would try a new twist on my popular driftwood lighthouses that sell so well. Using a mixture of oil and acrylic paints , I've painted these on high quality stretched canvases. many customers and collectors left me feedback saying that they loved the fun lighthouse images , but felt that they didn't want driftwood hanging on their walls. So, hopefully these canvases will offer all the vibrant colours with clean edges to suit certain interior decors.

Baggy in the fog

2011-03-28T16:01:00.000+01:00

48 x 40 inches Oil on canvas £1000

Foggy Baggy

2011-03-26T13:34:00.005Z

"Foggy Baggy" Oil on Canvas Board 14 x 10

We've been blessed with super warm, sunny Spring days this past week.

When it's great light and sea breezes, I'm just chomping at the bit to get outdoors and paint. So, when fellow artist chum, Paul Kenton called up to suggest going outdoors, I jumped at the chance.

We headed down to Putsborough sands and walked up to the top of the down looking over the beach and Baggy Point.

We got stuck into painting a small study, then planned to go back to Paul's new studio and paint a larger canvas that afternoon.

Here are the results. Boy was it tricky? The bright morning light soon changed to hazy sea mist on the point, which proved difficult to capture, and a cool breeze soon started nagging at our backs, after all it is still only March.
After a quick lunch, we packed up the easels and headed back to the studio.
Using only the study, proved enlightening and frustrating. After a short while the painting seemed to come more from memory and the study was left behind. It was amazing how much info came back just from doing that short study.
I'll post a photo of the large canvas , when it is dry tomorrow.

Surf Check. Have you got any wax?

2011-03-25T08:40:00.002Z

Barricane Beach 14 x 10 inches Oil on Canvas Board

Sold

Watching out over the Coast.

2011-03-24T08:45:00.000Z

"Coastal Sentinel"
14 x 10 inches Oil on Canvas Board Framed £200

Combesgate High Tide

2011-03-23T09:43:00.002Z

24 x 18 inches Oil on canvas Framed £230 Sold.

This morning saw a really big, Spring Tide in the bay. Light that with some warm Spring sunshine and you have pretty much a perfect start to the day. Combesgate was full and glassy, with the Watersmeet Hotel and neighbouring houses, snoozing in the early light. Just a joy !

Summer Skies

2011-03-22T13:41:00.000Z

14 x 10 inches Oil on Canvas board Framed £200

Warm Evening Glow

2011-03-21T10:47:00.000Z

14 x 10 inches Oil on canvas framed £200

Summer Squall

2011-03-20T11:06:00.002Z

14 x 10 inches Oil on Canvas Framed £200

I painted this from the safety of a customers balcony, during a summer painting course. The weather was supposed to be settled , sunny and warm. After setting up on the beach to paint, we cast our eyes to the South-West to see this big, dark purple, ominous cloud gathering steam and size.
A quick break down of the painting kit, and a hasty retreat beat back to the safety of the balcony, we continued the day's painting, whilst the elements unleashed. if you would like to book on a painting course, the dates for this year are on the right of this post.
Thank you!

Spring Tide

2011-03-19T10:24:00.005Z

12 x 10 Oil on Canvas Framed £120

If you walk up to the top of the hill behind the Watersmeet Hotel, you get this stunning overview of Woolacombe Bay. Sat up in the old quarry there, you really feel like you are sat on top of the world. The
view goes off over Baggy Point to the Hartland Peninsula in the distance.

Coastguard Cottages Oil

2011-03-18T13:07:00.000Z

14 x 10 Oil on Canvas Board Framed £200

This was painted on one of those days when March starts to give signs that Spring is on it's way.
The sun was warm, the sea had taken on a more greeny turquoise, and the new shoots of foliage were starting to pop their heads up between the russet browns of the old ferns.

A beautiful day out on the North Devon coast , looking along the cliffs to the old Coastguard Cottages, near Ilfracombe.

Tide Pool

2011-03-17T12:47:00.003Z

Oil on wood panel 10 x 6 inches Framed £68 SOLD

Yesterday, I walked on the beach and spotted this scene, as the tide dropped out. It caught my eye, and something about the light was just right. I raced home to get my painting kit, only to return to the spot to find that the tide had swamped it. Cursing I made a vow to keep a bag ready made up in the car and then not have any excuse, for missed painting opportunities.
So, today I was up bright and early and met fellow artist PK, down on the beach and we got a small study done each before the cloud front robbed us of the sunlight.
Feeling good that the day had started right, it was a good lesson to be learnt.
" Keep a painting kit made up and ready to go!"

Low Tide

2011-03-16T12:25:00.000Z

Low tide at Combesgate 14 x 10 oil on canvas board.
Painted from beach level, I liked the way that the stream meandered it's way out to the sea.

Lundy Watercolour

2011-03-14T16:21:00.000Z

Sat in my car after walking the dog this morning, as usual my gaze wandered out to Lundy . Today it was lit up nice enough for a quick watercolour sketch.
There's something pleasing about these quick little 15-20 minute studies. Nice and loose and no pressure .

Baggy , Lundy & Morte.

2011-03-12T16:11:00.004Z

These three room signs are for the latest addition to the selected roster of quality accommodation , who offer my painting courses as part of their activities, here in Woolacombe, Devon.

Greenacres is a new business run by Carol & Colin Slaney, featuring stylishly designed interiors and stunning views, in an idyllic setting. Visit their website here to see more.

Carol & Colin are a friendly couple , who offer a warm welcome and a relaxed environment . Each room has a stunning view down the green valley and out across the ocean to Lundy on the horizon. With Woolacombe village just a short walk down a wooded valley path.
Well worth a stay! If you would like to book on a painting course the dates and details are on the right hand side of this page.

Tropical Slider

2011-03-11T10:42:00.001Z

I started painting this for a customer , when I got to the blocking in of all the foliage, I felt I needed to stop and take a photo of it. The blues gave it a slighty moonlit feel, which I quite liked.

Then I added the rest of the colour and it became late morning. Do you prefer it as an empty moonlit scene or as a sunny morning scene?

Coastal Golf Signs

2011-03-10T10:28:00.004Z

These were my favourites ;Knoll Pins, Lundy.
Gannet Rock,Lundy.
Shutter Rock, Lundy.
Baggy Leap.
Finished this lot , last night. All varnished up and ready to go. So, if you're playing Crazy Golf up at the Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park this Summer, you also get a pictorial guide of the coast.

Spring's coming!

2011-03-07T10:10:00.002Z

The village is waking from it's Winter slumber and shops and businesses are sprucing up their facades.

Just over halfway through these signs for one of the holiday parks.

Heading Home

2011-02-26T12:56:00.005Z

This young lady had just had a cracking surf, rinsed off under the shower and was heading off into the heat of the late morning to carry on her day. The way every day should start.

Malibu. 9 x 6 inches oil on canvas board. £40

The Devlins

2011-02-25T13:57:00.001Z

This one is on it's way to Ireland.

Drift Fish

2011-02-22T19:53:00.002Z

I've been caught up with some design work recently, but managed to free some time up to paint a little Drift Fish for a customer.

On their way to...........

2011-02-10T14:25:00.002Z

................a man in Japan!

Enjoy your paintings,Phil.

Sun & Moon

2011-02-09T18:03:00.003Z

Boy!, they just keep getting better and better! I was on the phone to a client in South Devon, who said "stick your head out of the window", as I looked out there were a few hints of pink in the otherwise grey sky, then fifteen minutes later....Boom! Nature's firework display in full tilt!

R.I.P. Leroy!

2011-02-04T12:33:00.004Z

Leroy Grannis passed away yesterday at 93.

His photographs have continued to inspire me immensely, throughout my surfing and artistic life.

He documented a massive timespan chunk of surfing's evolution, that I would have loved to have been witness to. Through his work we get to share those magical periods.

January Sunsets

2011-01-25T11:30:00.004Z

Finally, the big ol' sun is inching it's way back along the horizon. Our natural seasonal sundial has been spectacular over the last few nights.

Club of the Waves

2011-01-17T18:19:00.004Z

The good folk at " Club of the Waves" have just added me to their roster. It's a fantastic site for collecting creative people together, who find inspiration from the ocean and surfing.

Pay them a little visit.

Across the Valley

2011-01-13T10:15:00.003Z

Click here to bid.

14 x 10 oil on canvas board

Painted on an early Autumn day when the sea mist just rolled in and blanketed everything.

New Swell

2011-01-11T11:39:00.003Z

Click here to bid.

14 x 10 oil on canvas board

Painted on a cracking day back in the Summer. One of those days when the light was pin sharp, and to top it off a new swell rolled in.

After Summer

2011-01-10T22:20:00.003Z

Click here to bid.

14 x 10 oil on canvas.

An empty beach, a new swell and still warm. Mmmmm.........roll on Spring!

September Spring Tide

2011-01-09T11:51:00.002Z

Click to bid.

14 x 12 oil on canvas board

Painted on one of those lovely September mornings , when the light is crisp the air is still warm and there's not a soul on the beach. Combesgate Beach & Morte Point.

Summer Lundy

2011-01-08T10:53:00.004Z

Oil on canvas 16 x 12 Sold

This was painted after one of the best sunsets of last summer. There's something strangely primal that affects me when the sun starts setting on the middle of Lundy. It's either the start of Summer, or coming up to the end of it. Our seasonal sundial.

Ventura

2011-01-05T14:04:00.005Z

This is a stunning little film about Ventura , California,filmed by Jim Martin . It also has a very cool, guitar track on it,to boot. Enjoy! Ventura

Tip Time

2011-01-04T14:39:00.005Z

9x 6 inches oil on canvas board. SOLD

Perfectly perched on glassy low tide peeler.Looking out of the window today, I could certainly do with some sun and small,fun surf. it's grey and chilly, here in beautiful Devon today.

Surf Checking

2011-01-02T13:27:00.004Z

Painted up a bigger version of the earlier "Surf Check" study , for my brother's Christmas present.

Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T12:20:00.003Z

Merry Christmas, I hope you have a fun and relaxing time!

The BEST Christmas song ever!

2010-12-23T14:14:00.001Z

This song just makes me so happy! Merry Christmas everbody!

Rustic Wood

2010-12-15T21:28:00.003Z

Just got some cracking new wooden frames in from the lovely ladies at THE FRAME SHOP.

They really set the small daily oil paintings off a treat don't they?

Pop in and see them for the friendliest service in town!!

Abode of Love

2010-12-14T14:23:00.002Z

Well, after a shitty week of being bed-ridden with the flu, I'm pleased to say that I'm on the mend, and normal service has almost been resumed.

first painting off the easel today.

"Nuku'alofa" the capital of Tonga, and the meaning " abode of love" seems quite fitting, as our own house of illness, returns to it's usual bouyant and happy self!

Slip Sliding

2010-12-06T22:13:00.000Z

9x 6 inches

Oil on canvas board Sold

" Pitstop " inbetween surfs....

2010-12-05T11:51:00.003Z

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9x 6 inches oil on canvas board.

....at Malibu. Steamin' hot day, recharging the aching muscles with some warm sun, before the next session.

Where to sit?

2010-12-02T10:13:00.005Z

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9x 6 oil on canvas board.

This guy turned up smack dab in the middle of the lunch hour rush. The lineup was packed, but he was walking with purpose, and a focused stare. I guess he knew just where he wanted to be.

At the wall.

2010-11-30T13:49:00.005Z

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Oil on canvas board 9 x 6 ins.

Basking in the sun , leaning against the wall, timing the sets, waiting for the crowd to thin out.

Trimmin'

2010-11-26T21:12:00.003Z

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9 x 6 oil on canvas board

" Rising Sun" surf art

2010-11-26T14:14:00.002Z

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Oil on canvas board 9 x 6 inches.

Caught this guy going for a lunchtime surf at Malibu.

Surf Check

2010-11-21T13:51:00.003Z

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oil on canvas board 9 x 6 inches.

A little fun study, nice and loose.

Christmas Oil Painting Course Gift

2010-11-19T15:31:00.002Z

Why not book a friend, relative or loved one on an outdoor oil painting course, in beautiful Devon?

Christmas gift vouchers are now available for use anytime in 2011.

Click here for more info.

"Croyde Bay Beach Hut"

2010-11-15T15:40:00.005Z

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Here's the finished painting. Oil on canvas panel 9 x 6 inches.

Beach Hut painting demo Part 2

2010-11-15T15:31:00.003Z

Next came the fleshing out of the grass mid tones and highlights, and the simple block in of the mid values of the hut and sand.
The sea and distant headland came in after that as a mid tone/ mid value.
Then came the re-adjusting of colours and values all over the canvas until I was satisfied that everything was on.
The final stage was left for tightening up edges and final adjusting of values and colours, some blending in the sky, and adding interesting colour notes to the shadows in the sand.

Croyde Bay Beach Hut underpainting demo Part 1

2010-11-15T15:23:00.005Z

After toning the canvas, I rubbed parts of the mid tone layer out to create lighter parts of the scene. Then by adding blue to the tone mix I painted in mid values and darks.
Once the values had been put in , I started adding the lights,beginning with the sky.

After filling in the sky I tweeked the clouds and then put in some of the mid shadow tones, and greens on the Maram grass in the dunes.

Beach Hut Underpainting demo

2010-11-15T14:59:00.004Z

I decided to paint the same scene today using two different toned underpainting starts.

The top painting was started using a purple mix from Alazarin Crimson and Ultramarine Blue.

The bottom painting was started using a mix of Burnt Sienna and Van Dyke Brown.

Check back later for the step by step results and finished studies.

The Gate - Beach Plein Air oil painting

2010-11-11T13:32:00.003Z

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17 x 15 inches framed.

I painted this down on Combesgate Beach on a beautiful sunny day, with clear skies and weather front looming over the horizon. halfway through the painting the wind picked up and the clouds scurried across, changing the light randomly every few minutes.

I was pleased with the resulting study though, as the speed of the painting kept everything much looser than usual.

" Hot in the Sun " New framed plein air oil painting.

2010-11-09T13:27:00.006Z

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Painted on a baking hot Summer's day from the sandunes overlooking Woolacombe Beach.

Lots of thick paint and strong brushwork make up this painting.

14 x 10 inches. Oil on canvas board, framed in a really nice rustic wooden frame.

Lusty Glaze

2010-11-07T15:50:00.003Z

Lusty Glaze, Newquay, Cornwall. Oil on canvas. 24 x 10.

Such a beautiful little cove, tucked out of the wrath of an October's blustery wind, the sunshine was warm and the painting flowed smoothly. A spot I will definitely return to again.

Art Books and Magazines for sale

2010-11-05T10:09:00.003Z

Clearing out some of my overcrowded bookshelves. You might find something of interest here?