I'm going to have to update my painting of St Mark's Square! Venice is the most beautiful place I've ever visited (in 2007) and the place I would most like to revisit. It's been flooded like this before so I hope they get back to normal again soon. Good Luck!
- lunchtime sketch in Fornalutx, Mallorca
Lunchtime sketch - Placa d'Espanya, Fornalutx, Mallorca. A postcard from Fornalutx was the reason we first went to the Soller Valley in 1999 and we've been going there every year since
- yet another coffee time sketch
Coffee time sketch from Café Aro, Placa de sa Constitucio, Soller, Mallorca. Right hand entrance to the Church of Sant Bartomeu. Sketched this Church many, many times - twice in May this year!
- another coffee time sketch in Mallorca
Coffee time sketch alongside the boatyard at Puerto Soller, Mallorca.
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
Just back from a searing hot Old Town, Dubrovnik. This is a sketch from the top of a steep street called Ulica Svetoca Josipa, with some tourists looking over my shoulder.
- coffee time sketches from the Soller Valley, Mallorca
Photos of coffee time sketches of our recent visit to Puerto Soller and the Soller Valley in Mallorca. I filled in 10 pages with these sketches (and notes) of the visitors book of the apartment we were staying in. Liz Baines, the owner seemed worried that I'd used up so many pages in the book! That's her pink scooter.
- Whitby Abbey galore!
It's Halloween. I've drawn/painted Whitby Abbey many times but I've never seen Dracula nor been bitten by a vampire - but there again I do eat a lot of garlic! This year I thought I should join in the occasion and post a collection of my Whitby Abbey artwork.
- the interior of Hotel Es Port, Puerto Soller, Mallorca
Another from our holiday in Puerto Soller, Mallorca last May/June. Starting with an urban sketch in pencil from the interior of the Hotel Es Port. I sat in the bar looking at the olive presses which have now been beautifully restored and are part of the sitting area. I developed that pencil sketch (on the left) to a finished painting of the interior - it tested my skill!
- EsPort, Puerto Soller, Mallorca
This is an urban sketch of Es Port in Puerto Soller, Mallorca from our visit there last May. It's now an Hotel but it's been the centre of the Montis Family Estate for centuries. When I was sitting in front of the building sketching, 3 young people gathered round, followed by their grandfather. He turned out to be a consultant solicitor from London and he asked if I didn't mind that he sat down and had a chat. 90 minutes later we had to break up! He was such an interesting person, we talked about lots of things including "copyright"! I had to go back the next day to finish painting! We were on holiday so it was all part of our enjoyment. Michel, the President of the "Soller French Society" has now got a digital copy of this image to use in his talks and information promoting the links between France and Mallorca - Soller and the traditional export of oranges in particular - so we're all happy! Michel introduced us to the latest Head of the Montis family and showed us around the old, refurbished parts of the House/Hotel - in particular the old olive pressing facilities and storage which I shall post images of (soon).
- Ca'n Rom, Fornalutx, Mallorca
This urban sketch is from our visit to Mallorca last May/June. It's called Ca'n Rom which is in Fornalutx - the most beautiful village in Mallorca. It's at the top of the steps above the Placa d'Espanya with the most stunning views over the Soller Valley. Google "Ca'n Rom, Fornalutx" if you would like to see the amazing interiors. Just had to draw and paint the house from this dramatic angle! More from Mallorca (soon).
- last sketch in Sorrento
The final morning and final sketch on our tour. My favourite part of Sorrento, I could spend a lot of time in this little harbour - it's called Marina Grande. Vesuvius is about 15 miles away behind that cliff.
- sketching in Sorrento, Italy
Been on our travels again - escorted tour with Riviera Travel to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. My first Urban Sketch was of the Belltower of the Cattedrale di Sorrento from the narrow Via Reginaldo Giuliani.
- el tren arriving at Soller, Mallorca
El Tren from Palma arriving at Soller, Mallorca. Did this one when staying at Puerto Soller last May. Been visiting the Port most years since the end of last century and is the latest of dozens of my sketches of the area.
- the fishing boat "Arkane" at Whitby
The fishing boat "Arkane" at Whitby harbour at the mouth of the River Esk last weekend - pretty little boaty!
- Whitby Abbey North Yorkshire
Spent last weekend in Whitby. Walked east along the Cleveland Way cliff path to the Whitby Fog Signal building Had some time on my own when I returned so I sketched the Abbey from alongside at the same altitude. I usually draw/paint it from near sea level showing it overlooking the harbour above the picturesque jumble of cottages tumbling down the hillside.
- my final London sketch (hope not ever!)
Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street sketched while sitting on a bench waiting for my dearest (not literally!) wife Liz browsing in the local John Lewis. The rains came just as I was finishing off the penwork so the watercolour was added in our cosy little home later. The original is hopefully by now in the U.S. on it's way to my top collector in Texas.
- London City Skyline
Feb 24-2017 morning. London City Skyline while sheltering under Waterloo Bridge, The wind from Storm Doris hadn't died! The original sketch is now crossing the Atlantic to my very best supporter in Texas.
Admiral Nelson's Hat
Feb 23-2017 Storm Doris hits UK, winds blow plywood roofs onto rails, 2hr train journey from Sheffield to London turns into 6hrs, 5hrs standing. Inspiration for sketch of Admiral Nelson's hat blowing off at Trafalgar Square sketched from the steps of St Martins ITFs! The original sketch is now flying to a client in Texas.
Fornalutx, Mallorca (again)
Fornalutx, Mallorca, where the best Police and most honest Taxi Drivers on the Island helped recover my mislaid wallet in September 2014 - forever grateful. A postcard of Fornalutx tumbling down the hillside from a work colleague was the reason we first visited the Soller Valley in 1999 and almost every year since - quite often twice in the same year.
- Carrer de sa Lluna, Soller, Mallorca
Saturdays 7th & 14th May - Carrer de sa Lluna, Soller, Mallorca. I was sitting outside ARTiMANS Art Shop sketching the street views - attracting passers-by. The Shop was selling my Soller artwork, then I signed the prints!
