My process is to sketch outside and use these as my ‘primary source’ back in the studio.
My work is about the ‘mood’ and ‘spirit of the place’. I am not overly interested if a tree or building is represented in the right spot; or even features in the painting at all. My aim is for the viewer to connect to the work in an emotional way allowing them to read their own memories of places in the painting.
Having said that, all my work comes from an actual location. I paint out and about in my home area from the South Downs to the Coast. I have drawers of sketchbooks... various oil paintings and sketches done in location.
This Summer, I have enjoyed ‘plein air‘ painting both at the beach and in the countryside. Getting up very early to miss the heat. Taking your breakfast off into the landscape is always such an adventure. The sights and sounds of the landscape always allow for a wonderful interaction with the painting. You can’t really replace painting outside. And it is these experiences that show through in the the studio work that follows time in the field.
