This is a view I have painted before, but never taking in such a wide panorama. It was done during a quiet break from my commercial work, in March 2018. I was longing to do something for myself and revisit Venice so I did so in my mind for a few days and produced this studied watercolour.

It is one of the great ‘stage set’ views of the world and one that Canareggio couldn’t resist either. But in this I have tried to capture the scene as I remember it. There was a boat with a team standing and rowing forwards, pausing as a gondola is about to come under the bridge ahead of them. And a man with a camera on a tripod. I don’t know why, I’m just the artist. It may not be completely correct but it’s not a commissioned painting so I’m happy enough to have enjoyed the experience! It can live in my studio and remind me of past travels.

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So I did this painting in the studio having been out there the previous day looking at the view. I may have overdone the blue tints as it looks rather severe but that’s what it really was like, and surprisingly green despite the season. The deep shadows were from the afternoon light and some cloud shadow.

I’m looking forward to revisiting the same view in the early summer!

It is looking from Perseverance Hill across the Wyche cutting with Summer Hill just in front of the Worcestershire Beacon, the town of Malvern down to the right.

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The music is called Spanish Dance no.5 by Granados. It evokes just the right spirit for me, and if the playing is a bit rough, that’s because I’m playing the guitar on the recording! But I love the music of Spain as well as its old cities, and hope to visit there again before too long.

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Why do I like Malmesbury so much? The Abbey surely has much to do with it. I sang there with my choir (Wessex Male Choir) last year, and the atmosphere and acoustics were lovely. But in Spring weather such as we have had recently I decided to ‘get around’ to painting it, as I have intended to ever since we sang there.

A victim of the dissolution of the monasteries, if only there were more of it left, with its soaring spire, but I suppose we should be grateful that what is still there is so beautiful. The empty arches have a poetry and poignancy about them and speak to me of the temporary nature of our lives.

It is a busy architectural subject, so I have tried to keep the colours and shadows soft, as of a bright but hazy Spring morning. Turner painted it beautifully once, from afar, but I’ve not let that put me off!

Malmesbury Abbey – An Original Watercolour Painting

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This is an unusual subject for me – a bridge on Exmoor, (but do you know which one?) It’s a famous one, and very old. I was commissioned to paint this as a birthday present for someone. I used burnt sienna as a base wash behind much of it which gives it the reddish wintry look. The beech leaves on the ground and in the distant trees seemed to demand it.

The trees were entirely moss covered and green, so no burnt umber or real browns in the painting. Instead Paynes Grey to darken trees, and also to darken the water. So the ‘warmth’ of the colours come from warm blues and grays instead of browns and ochres.  This adds to the more wintry feel of the season than a summer view would give. Sorry about all that technical stuff – but unusual colour scheme for me, but I enjoyed painting it!

Now I’d like to go for a long walk there with my wife Gill & dog Truffle!

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