The 'car park' that is Burnham Market

I think this is the best of your Norfolk paintings Thea. I know what you mean about the cars spoiling the village atmosphere but as far as your painting goes they really add interest to it.

Whilst I agree with you on the car issue Thea, call me a cynic, but this painting wouldn't have worked so well without them. You could progressively remove bits of it - the lamppost, bench, houses etc. - and work your way back to the 14th century, but it wouldn't have improved the vision. We're often asked to listen to early music with 'period' ears; but how can an ear constantly assailed by urban clamour possibly aspire to primordial hush? I love this painting because it's characterful, expressive, fresh and contemporary.

Thank you very much Kim and Christine. I take your point about the cars as they do add interest and a bit of colour and I think they work in a sketch. They don't work in reality though! I don't know why they don't build a car park behind the main street?? It is an incredibly posh village and I am also surprised that the locals allow the centre to be spoiled in this way, but then so many of the beautiful towns in the Cotswolds suffer from the same blight. Perhaps it is just me!

The cars , lamp post and those white posts presumably to keep the cars off the grass, make the painting Thea. They all add interest, a contemporary look to an otherwise attractive, but not as interesting scene.

Stunning sketch, beautifully painted Thea

Super work Thea! so full of character. Great colours.

Fantastic work Thea! I must say as Louise did that the cars add an effective, contemporary look to this very successful painting.

You've made what sounds like an ugly scene into something very attractive. Even the cars look quite attractive and fun and full of character.

Great treatment, super

I agreement completely with all the above comments, Thea. This is so colourful and spontaneous. I love it. Well done !!!!!

It's all been said, again as I am always late to the party!

Beautiful painting Thea, the translucency of your colours is wonderful, liquid light on the paper...I just love your work.

Thank you so much Louise, Petra, Mark, Satu, Kevin, Brian and Mia for such kind and generous comments.

Thank you so much Gudrun and Mark for such lovely comments. When I finish any painting, be it a sketchy pen and wash or an actual painting, I always feel so unsure about the results so getting positive feedback is such a relief and restores my faith in keeping going in the process of trying to evolve and improve - so thank you all.

Another super free painting. Kim makes some valuable points - I also often like to include street furniture etc which helps to give a painting a place in time.

Lovely composition, the cars do add to the painting even if they do spoil it in 'real life!'

Thank you very much Michael and Debs for all your encouragement. I agree in this instance that the cars do add to the general interest of the scene, also the street furniture which I love to see in a sketch. The reality is that I can never find a parking space when I go to Burnham Market! It isn't just the visitor's cars as I don't think many of the period houses came with garages in Georgian times (!), so all the residents' cars are always out there too. There are so many very rich people living in the village that I am amazed that they haven't all chipped in and sorted out a car park behind the main street.

A lovely busy scene..... from the 21st century! I love the composition with the cars that drive you right up to the church ! You must be very happy with your "Journal de vacances"!

Really love this one Thea, hope you are getting better.

Thank you very much Avril and Karyl - you are more than kind in your comments. Yes, Avril, I will look back at my sketches no doubt and remember an interesting and very pleasant few days in Norfolk. Thank you, Karyl, I am less of a Hop-A-Long Cassidy now, thank goodness. Still, it will take work to get my knee fully operational again and I am not the most patient person!

I'm a bit late with reacting - this has been online all of two days and I'm already far behind. You have to be very quick here ! Anyway, just wanted to add my compliments on all your sketchbook entries from your Norfolk break - a really fabulous way to record your experiences, producing some very good work. I love Mark's comment about "liquid light" - that sums it up for me. Good luck with your recovery.

Beautiful, fresh and lively

I like this and a car or two don't distract totally,but you have the artistic licence Thea, so only include one or two or parts of them.

I like this a lot. A pen and not so much a wash but more like Charles Reid applications of paint. Are those drops of burnt Siena within the tree foliage? Technically very god but also a nice composition too. Well done.

You've made the scene absolutely inviting, Thea, the cars not withstanding. Painted with your usual panache - it's fresh, appealing and full of light and atmosphere.

Thank you so much Sharon, Lesley, Derek, Philip and Seok for such really lovely comments. The cars are obviously a hit! I have to admit that this was the bit that made me do the sketch as the contrast between the lovely old buildings and church and all these modern gas guzzlers was too much to resist.

Philip - yes, it is burnt sienna spatters in the trees. I find it a very useful colour used with green - seems to balance it. I know exactly what you say about the pen drawing being painted in more of a CR way. That's why I just can't do the normal type of pen and wash, where only a light and simple wash it applied to parts of the drawing. I just feel cheated so have to go in there and play with the paint. As I think I have said before that mine are more' pen and painting' than' pen and wash'.