Jazzy jamming at The Paris House

plans in the sketch book

all drawn out and ready for colour

I fancied a really strong colour scheme this time 

Have a closer look at the jam session, in watercolour



This pub on the border of Brighton and Hove was crying out for me to paint it. I have always loved a tall thin building and this one, along with its French styling was summing up images of Vincent Van Gough and Toulouse Lautrec.
So all this was in mind when I drew it out.
The chequerboard floor inside the pub was too good to leave out, so it spills out onto the pavement outside with the light and music

Hisbe - an independent supermarket with a big heart

loosely sketched, first washes, creates a lively painting

the finished painting on thick paper with more attention to details

Brighton means seagulls of course!

This painting of Hisbe - (How it should be) painted for a Brighton themed exhibition at Chalk Gallery
the supermarket liked the lively sketch too, and it will be appearing in some of their advertising soon.
All the good food at Hisbe is locally sourced and sold with love.

The Picture House _ The Duke of Yorks Cinema, Brighton

initial sketch of the cinema in my sketch book

now all drawn out and ready to paint

Finished! can you spot the film directors?

The Duke of Yorks cinema in Brighton is an iconic building that is one of the oldest, continuous running cinemas in the country. Those stripey legs are a landmark!

For my people relaxing and discussing film, I chose some film directors and local supporters of the cinema.

David Lynch, Stanley Kubrik, Ben Wheaton, Nick Cave are there among others, also represented are Violet Melnotte-Wyatt, the actress that had the theatre built, and Brighton arts club Joseph Longhurst, painting the old Longhurst brewery, that was there previously, owned by his father Henry Braddock Longhurst.

Inifinity in the North Laine - steps to a painting

initial sketch in A4 Seawhite sketch book

drawing out on heavyweight Bockingford paper

drawn out in pen, bigger and ready for colour

I usually start with the colours of the building

grounding helps, and I decide on a sky and shadows

its the last details that take the longest

Infinity Foods stands on a corner of the North Laine in Brighton, a busy buzzy area that is great for a wander, and something to eat. Exciting shops, always something different. And plenty of seagulls!

No worries at the Brighton Beer Dispensary

initial rough sketch of the painting..notes to self

all drawn out again on watercolour paper

the first colours go on and the painting comes alive again

finished!

I was commissioned to paint the Brighton Beer Dispensary by a regular. He wanted to have his friends from the pub included too. I was sent a collection of photographs of the people and placed them all together for this busy day at the pub. There is a copy hanging up in the pub if ever you go there, and I hear that the roasts in there have won national awards : )

Ice Skating at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton

from pencil to pen

the first colours go on, setting the scene

lots of colour and lots of skaters...spot the extra cat!

It's Christmas Card time again! ...well actually I am running a bit late and many artists completed their cards months ago!
I visited the Royal Pavilion in January this year and was inspired to recreate the scene for this year's SASBAH card. I tried to put in some recognisable Brighton faces from past and present, do you recognise anyone?

Duke Street Rendezvous

initial sketch

from pencil plan to ink

ready for colour 

 finished!

 In the vacated home of Choccywoccydoodah a wonderful little coffee shop with gallery has opened up with three floors of art by local artists and lots of edible treats too!

I love the building with the decorative plaster work, the growling lions on the pillars, the awning and the tables outside, all present a really inviting view.

It would be nice to paint this at night time too, with the glowing fairy lights. Ah well, a project for another time!

Food and friends in Brighton

initial first sketch out

all drawn up in ink

the first colours to go on neutrals and purples 

all painted up..did I miss anything?

Food for Friends in Brighton, a wedge shaped building in the heart of all the eateries!
The flower baskets and breezy skies brought this view to life for me .

The Barley Mow, Kemp Town, Brighton

Here is the other pub painting currently exhibited at Chalk Gallery, Lewes