“From Bantham Beach”

Bantham Beach is a privately owned beach in the South Hams, Devon, UK. The river Avon (one of many rivers called Avon) joins the sea here so I don't think you can walk from the beach to the island.

I was on a sketching trip to the area, and was determined to fit‑in a visit to this location. It was the furthest away from where I was staying, but the trip was worth it. There was inspiration for more paintings and prints than I could shake a stick at in this place.

This is a view many will instantly recognise as they arrive for their morning dog walk, or a day at the seaside.

I make these nine by nine inch paintings sometimes in order to explore ideas for studio paintings in my sketchbooks. They also serve to record my memories of the experience of a place before they fade.

This landscape art is a half‑way, between the sketch and a finished studio oil. My ultimate intention is to make a larger artwork, once I'm confident I've worked out how to approach it by making these artworks.

I'll often make several of these paintings, discarding those that show my idea for how to tackle a bigger painting sucks. I try‑out ideas for all sorts of things, such as composition and colours.

I explored the area a lot though I only had the one day to spend there. Climbing up above it, as well as walking the beach from one end to the other and back again. There's always lots of walking involved in painting landscapes.

So many views of Burgh Island, I could happily spend a whole week painting there, and I'm hopeful I will.

Such a lovely place, I watched the early dog walkers before the day trippers arrived, and then the gradual departure before the evening walkers arrived. Heading home feeling like I'd really been somewhere beautiful, unique and inspiring.

Here's hoping it's not too long before I come back, armed with brushes, easels and lots of canvas board, Bantham.