Plein Air painting days in London

11th September, Soho Square

As part of an ongoing publicity campaign to advertise our forth coming show Capturing the Moment
Haidee-Jo Summers and I planned a couple of paint out days in London.
The first was in Soho Square on 11th September. I created an event on Facebook and was surprised how quickly word spread. On the day about 50 artists turned up to paint, I was a bit concerned as we hadn't approached anyone for any permits but all was fine.

Felicity House working on a lovely pastel

Haidee and I in the middle.
We finally got to paint an hour before the end,
we'd been very busy talking to all the artists

At the end of the day,
comparing notes and planning to go off to the
nearest pub for a well earned drink and bite to eat

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and said how they were looking forward to the next Paint Out.

10th October St James's Park

The success of the first paint out soon spread and people were eager to do it again . We arranged for people to meet at the Cafe Inn the Park around 10am, we couldn't believe how many turned up. Some artists had got there early and were already painting. We took names but I found out after the event that I didn't get to see everyone and that there must have been a lot more than 100 artists there.

artists gathering at the beginning of the day

Poster and Palett

some artists at work

At the end of the day some of the artists gathered for
a chat and to display their work on the roof of the cafe

All in all it was well worth the organising. The feedback has been amazing. It seems that artists really welcome the opportunity to get together to paint. Even standing side by side in silence whilst absorbed in their work there is the feeling of camaraderie. 

Some of the painters there had never painted outside before and told me just how much they had enjoyed the experience and that they would not have dared to do it on their own.

Looks like I will be organising another paint out again soon. Keep an eye on the web site or sign up for an email at www.britishpleinairpainters.co.uk

Well know author and artist Katherine Tyrell gave us marvellous coverage in her blog,  Making a Mark. Do visit to see more pictures of the day

Sommieres 2018

first evening by the pool on the roof

I was more than delighted this year to make a return visit to the wonderful French town of Sommieres. Even more thrilled to learn that my dear Dutch friend Corry Kooy was going us with husband Ted. Our accommodation Hotel de l'Orange is situated in the town so we had no distance to walk to find a good spot to paint.  We received a warm welcome from our lovely hosts, Elizabeth and Tom. Mary Jackson's daughter Amanda and husband Phil were our chefs for the week and I really don't think I have ever eaten so well, the food was varied and delicious every night.

breakfast served in the garden, (Paul Banning got there first)

Dinner by candle light

One day a week there is a huge market, all the roads are closed as the town is taken over by every stall you can imagine, of course being France there is a large area dedicated to food where you can buy beautiful fresh veg, cheeses, wines and fish. You can buy your food and any of the restaurants will let you sit and eat at their tables for a small fee so you can imagine the atmosphere. The square was heaving with people all having a great time.

I shared the same room as last year with my dear friend Felicity, I'd hardly seen her since the last visit so we had a lot of catching up to do. Oh yes, I was there to paint, here are some of my paintings from the trip.

Sauve, backlite, painted from a dry (ish) river bed 12" x 10"

Fish in reflected light under the bridge in Sommieres 12" x 10"

Through the garden of de l'Orange 8" x 8"

Sunlit bridge in Sommieres 12" x 10

In the vineyard Fontines 6" x 8"

Morning Shadows, Sommieres (Julie Jackson in pic) 12" x 10"

By the fountain in Sauve 12" x 10"

6th C footbridge into Sauve 12" x 10"

These are just a few of the 20 paintings I did that week. We were blessed with the weather although we did get the tail end of a Mistral one day. The company was as always brilliant. it consisted of Tom Coates, Mary Jackson, James & Tanya Burton, Corry & Ted Kooy, Rick Holmes & Paul Banning, Julie Jackson & Steve, and last but definitely not least Felicity House.

a selection of work from the week

Our Hosts Tom & Elizabeth