Hay Barge (a study)

An interesting art interpretation of the past. What years is it referring to please?

Thank you for your comment and question Art , these barges operated in the 1800/1900 and a few were still in use in the early 1950s before road transport took over . I hope to set my scene in the 1920/30 era . There are quite a few used as private sailing vessels now and you can have trips on them races are often held as well these days.

I like the way you've dropped the paint on to the sails and cargo, very subtle.

Thanks Marjorie, the sails on these old boats were often different colours due to fair ware and tear hence the patches on some . The salt , sun and weather took their toll on the canvas and I bet they were not cheap to replace.

Very good Paul.

Full of character.

Thank you a Denise and Stephen for your comments they are appreciated.

You are a mine of information about these old ships and how they operated Dixie- all very interesting as is this painting. I look forward to the collective work.

A fine painting of these wonderful old Barges. I can confirm your info. As a nipper in the 1950's living by the Thames in Greenwich, London, these barges, still working, were a common sight.

Interesting painting Paul, I guess this could in-part explain why I keep finding parts of bricks on beaches all around Britain. I saw a documentary recently where a discovered wreck was full of bricks. Looking forward to seeing the 'bigger' picture.

So good, Paul. You can see it sailing...

Tessa, Lew, Andrew and Pastor thank you for you very kind comments. I remember you mentioning before Lew that you had actually seem them at work , it would be great to but them on record in your superb drawings , there a challenge for a can’t think what to draw day.

Love this painting, especially the soft colours.

Lovely study and very interesting to read Paul.

Valerie and Carole thank you for your comments.

All lovely comments for a lovely and interesting painting

Smashing historical study Paul. Enjoy reading your notes on the subject of your paintings.

So unusual Paul. You don’t think of boats carrying hay do you? This is a great representation of that era.

A good painting and very informative description.

Interesting subject, Paul, lovely watercolour.

Heather , Fiona, Spencer, James and Jenny thank you for you kind comments and taking the time to look at my painting.

A lovely painting of the old barge, Paul - well done. Interesting to learn about the cargoes. I had never realised that hay was transported in this way. It looks a heavy load too!

Thank you Anne for your comment. Think of them as the HGV of the day and the thousands of tons needed for the many thousand horses in London at the time . Cart would take ages to do the same job and probably need several to move a barge size cargo. With the way fuel is going and the environment pressure who know what the future may hold , they are experimenting with modern type sails on large ships already .

Lots of character Paul lovely

Interesting composition and I read all the comments on the history of these boats. In Kerala, South India, we have what we call Rice boats even today which are flat boats carrying a huge amount of rice. Have a look on the Internet. I love your painting. Look fwd to more in the same series

Thank you Sunil for you kind comment. I had a look at the rice boats the certainty carry some weight in rice.

Missed this beauty Paul… excellent drawing of my favourite boats!

Thank you Alan, I recall you saying how much you liked this old boat .