Freshwater Church from the Marsh

This is very nice. Your painting is unique and shows substance.

This is very nice. Your painting is unique and shows substance.

Hi Robert, (I echo Kirstie here...double double toil and trouble!) Nice to see your work though, we don't see it all that often. I do like the way you have produced the textural effects. Am I right in thinking this is a slight divergence in style for you? I know you normally paint in oils, do you not? But I would be pleased with this had I painted it............

Robert, after reading with interest your blog on the production of this painting, I confess to being bemused as to where the problems might have been, although I don't doubt your account of the journey....... this is really lovely, more please.

Most kind, all. Ruth, yes I paint in oil, but also in acrylic and, now and then, watercolour. It is a change to some extent - eg I don't normally use salt; and I've not painted all that many buildings; but that (the building) was the part of this I most enjoyed. And so to the rest of it ..... Lesley, I had to wash out the sky and start again; and I wouldn't have used salt if I hadn't had to - the foliage just wasn't working. But - I think that was the point of the blog, really: I did manage, for better or worse, to pull it all together, despite all that had gone wrong. I doubt I would have persisted years ago, but would have given up - and yet you can reclaim watercolours that have gone west. A bold approach to it helps, plus a reasonably forgiving paper.

Just been off to read your blog, Robert, after reading the above comments.........I can equate to that!! Sometimes, I find a bit of pastel or even acrylic over a failed watercolour will help. Not that this is a failed watercolour, by any means, and is rather good.....keep at it, you never know the next sale might be just around the corner.

Well done Robert. After all the sweat and blood it caused you, I think it is just beautiful. You should be pleased with yourself. I love the sky and the church and the middle distance bushes and... everything. It is just as beautiful as your acrylic paintings, so keep on the good work. Thank you for your positive comment on my "Remembrance Day" painting, I appreciate.

I recognised your work Robert and I do like your strong watercolours , I had to check as to my novice eye it looked like oil.

Well wonky did good!!!! great painting.linda

A very effective piece and a lesson in greens. It's so very well rendered.

Unusual to see buildings in your paintings Robert, also like the comment above I initialy thought it was an oil painting. Like a lot.

Good strong colour and contrast in this one. I very much like working on Bockingford, but sometimes I wonder if that is because I have used it more than other papers, and perhaps I am missing out, so i try a different one.... Then I go back to Bockingford and I am at home again!

Hello Robert, I missed this atmospheric painting when it came round - I usually only get time to browse the watercolour section. Had I seen it I've have thought it wrongly 'filed' because it has a lovely rich opacity that I'd not immediately connect with the medium. I love the soft spot under the trees - the orchard at Elsinore waiting to welcome Claudius...? You've saved the sky brilliantly. When my washes go awry I either tear up or pump up (with gouache).

Looks good to me Robert! I like the bold presence of the church tower dominating the softer foliage in the foreground. Best wishes, Martin www.cobbybrook.co.uk

Robert, like the way you have placed the Kirk at the top with the wild greenery leading up to it, plenty for the viewer to see. Is this Freshwater Isle of Wight? I have a lot of trouble painting greenery in watercolours – you technique is? Did you know the Clergy had certain privileges in law: Ye Rector of Freshwater (sad to relate), Was dogg'd and collared at Ye Redde Lionne Inne, A matter of conflicte betwixte Churche and State, He was snuggled in smuggled woolle nexte Ye Skinne. He attended Ye Courte at Tenne of Ye Clocke, And began to intone a Piece of Liturgie, This time it was not for Ye Sake of Ye Flocke, But that he might claim benefitte of Clergie. "Onlie wool-gathering" he said to Ye Warders, And then, pulling woole o'er Ye Justices' eyes, "This holie suit doth not suit Holie Orders; Respecte for Ye Clothe is a word to Ye wise"

I did indeed know the clergy had privileges; the case referred to in that verse dates to around 1394, I believe, although the verse itself is much later. I tried to find out who had written it, many years ago now, but got no farther than "anon"; I suspect it was a successor Rector of Freshwater, in the 18th or 19th centuries, using a bit of cod "olde Englysshe". But I'd be fascinated to hear if anyone knows any better. Technique in greens? Er, crossing my fingers and going for it, basically! I tend to keep the paper damp, and use a fairly strong blue with a green edge, like Prussian, Pthalo or even Cerulean, and then a transparent or opaque yellow depending on the degree of green I want to achieve. My yellows vary, from Raw Sienna, to Naples Yellow (there's certainly some in this painting, I can see that though don't remember!), to Indian Yellow and Cadmium Yellow. Or, for the really dark stuff, a mix of Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna or Burnt Umber.

Hi Robert, You did not have to explain I was glad of your critisism in any case that's how we learn and it is also good to know that you didn't take offence.I have now seen all of your portfolio and I really like the watercolours above especially the church. I must now read your blog I look forward to that.Joy.,

Agreed, a great painting Robert. You have a great skill for the landscapes and this was my particular favourite. Wonderful work and thank you for your very kind comments, as an artist who has never been able to master this area of subject matter. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

I agree with Linda, great painting :-)

just veiw your gallary and wow you are very talanted i have really enjoyed veiwing your art and reading about them well done