I’ve recently returned from a fortnight sketching by the sea in Low Newton, Northumberland. The beautiful sweeps of sandy beaches and dunes covered with wildflowers and grasses, will form the basis for my next suite of paintings.

The sea changed colour from moment to moment, from purples to a rich turquoise and navy blue, crystal clear over the sands, and I spent many happy hours observing and making visual memories to refer to back in my studio. I was particularly struck by the movement of the dune grasses and the changeability of the weather, colour and light at different times of the day.

A sketch book is available to buy from my online shop, containing these studies and notes from my visit.

I will be visiting the area again, to paint and draw in September 2019, so expect more!

Beadnell Bay from dunes, with buttercups and coltsfoot

Beadnell Bay from dunes, with buttercups and coltsfoot

Sweep of Beadnell Bay from dunes. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Sweep of Beadnell Bay from dunes. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Crashing waves on a windy day. Paint sketch on paper

Crashing waves on a windy day. Paint sketch on paper

Newton Point with sea thrift and dune grasses. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Newton Point with sea thrift and grasses. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Dune grasses. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Dune grasses. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Dune grasses. Graphite on paper

Dune grasses. Graphite on paper

Dunstanburgh Castle. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Dunstanburgh Castle in evening light. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton beach and dunes. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton beach and dunes. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton beach huts. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton beach huts. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton boats. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton boats. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton beach. Line and movement study. oil and graphite on paper

Low Newton beach. Line and movement study. oil and graphite on paper

Low Newton rock pool. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton rock pool. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton village and shore rocks. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Low Newton village and shore rocks. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Newton Point shore rocks. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Newton Point shore rocks with sea thrift and grasses. Water soluble graphite and watercolour on paper

Newton Point. Churning sea paint sketch. Acrylic on paper

Newton Point. Churning sea paint sketch. Acrylic on paper

Low Newton. Underpainting for sea study. Acrylic on canvas

Low Newton. Underpainting for sea study. Acrylic on canvas

Low Newton. Underpainting for sea study. Acrylic on canvas

Low Newton. Underpainting for sea study. Acrylic on canvas

Dunstanburgh Castle - slice through a view. Oil and oil pastel on paper

Dunstanburgh Castle – slice through a view. Oil and oil pastel on paper

Movement and light in water. Ink and masking fluid on paper

Towards Dunstanburgh Castle with colour notes

Towards Dunstanburgh Castle. Water soluble graphite, watercolour and masking fluid

My tern! Getting up close and personal with the locals on the Farne Islands

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