Life Drawing

After a gap of more than 40 years I have recently taken up life drawing again.

Drawing the human figure is possibly the most challenging of subjects. The drawings were produced in a life class and were done in timed sessions, usually around ten minutes, this focuses the mind on the essential shapes and tones. It also show up weakness in technique, essential if you aim to improve!

Operation Excess 1941

The final piece of my latest commission is now complete. In total the commission comprised four paintings depicting a furious battle on 10 January 1941 seventy miles west of Malta.

The armoured aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was part of an escort for a convoy of merchant ships with supplies for Malta when she came under air attack by German dive bombers.

My task was to illustrate the action from four different viewpoints, sea level, from the escorts, from the air and finally from the flightdeck.

HMS Illustrious 1

HMS Illustrious 2

HMS Illustrious 3

HMS Illustrious 4

The Battle of Medway 1667

A year of research and development has finally come together with "The Battle of Medway" commemoration this month.

I was commissioned at the end of 2015 to paint six illustrations to help explain the Dutch Raid on the King's fleet moored on the River Medway in 1667. Also to give a demonstration of my painting techniques and a lecture of my research.

Painting demonstration at Upnor Castle

Website of the Historic Dockyard Chatham

The Illustrations have been extensively used to promote the event by the Guildhall Museum Rochester and the Historic Dockyard Chatham.

The original artworks are now on exhibition at the Visitor Center on Rochester High Street and part of the "Of Fireships & Iron" Exhibition along with local printmakers commissioned to produce unique work to support the The Battle of Medway celebrations.

http://www.medway.gov.uk/leisurecultureandsport/arts/rochesterartgallery.aspx

The exhibition will run until 28 August 2017.

Following that the artwork will be on permanent exhibition at Upnor Castle.

Eastgate House Rochester and Sir Peter Buck

The Tudor Mansion Eastgate House in Rochester Kent has just undergone a major restoration. I was commissioned to produce a series of illustrations which will help tell the story of the house.

The final part of my involvement was to paint a simulated portrait of the original owner of the house. No known image of Sir Peter Buck exists and it has been a fascinating journey of discovery researching the "Sumptuary Laws" and visual language of late Tudor portraiture.

Sir Peter Buck in 1603

View from Eastgate House during the Dutch Raid 1667

View From Eastgate House in 1591

Eastgate House in 1591

The Dutch Raid on the River Medway 1667

2017 is the 350 Anniversary of the Dutch sailing up the River Medway in Kent (UK) and attacking Charles II's fleet.

The Guildhall Museum Rochester, together with the Historic Dockyard Chatham will be commemorating the raid with a series of events from 8 June to 17 June.

I was commissioned to illustrate the raid which took place in 1667, the illustrations will feature in the event at the Guildhall and become part of a permanent exhibition of the raid at Upnor Castle.

Crossing the Chain

Capture of the Royal Charles

The Dutch arrive at Upnor

The Battle on the River

Fireships

 

 

 

Spragge's Battery