I painted this last winter.  I have posted it today because it features in an article I wrote on plein air painting in winter that has just been published in The Artist magazine.

Its quite big for a plein air painting, 20 x 36 inches on stretched linen, and it was painted in a single rather cold session.

Above: A very early stage in the painting.  I have very roughly blocked in the main areas of the composition.

Below: My Plein-air painter’s guide to winter article in The Artist magazine.

The painting above is for sale at £2,000. Contact me for more details.

The warm summer mornings seem to draw everyone down to the river. This view towards Hammersmith Bridge and The Rutland Arms was painted from Furnival Gardens. One of the challenges of painting on location is capturing moving figures. Fortunately, fine days on the embankments of the River Thames provide the artist with a countless stream of figures to paint.

Rye Harbour – Summer Afternoon, oil on board, 6 x 10 inches

painters at work

A five minute sketch in oil on board. 6×8 inches

At the weekend Karl Terry invited a group of friends to join him for a day’s painting. He arranged access to a private stretch of the river at Rye in East Sussex then, in the evening, showed off his skills at the barbeque.

The 5 minute sketch above was the result of a challenge.  We all went over the time limit – this one took me about 10 minutes.

Thanks Karl

Another painting from my show at Island Fine Arts. until 2 Jul 2011

Harry Brioche, Roy Connelly and Sally Trueman

Island Fine Arts Ltd
53 High St, Bembridge, Isle of Wight P035 5SE
Tel: 01983 875 133

This is one the the paintings I am currently showing at Island Fine Arts until 2 July 2011.

Island Fine Arts Ltd
53 High St, Bembridge, Isle of Wight P035 5SE
Tel: 01983 875 133

The Salisbury Art Show is on now until the 4th of June 2011.  The exhibition is helping to support the charity Help for Heroes.

Both of the paintings shown here feature in the show. To see the complete collection of my work – click here.

West Wittering. Oil on board, 12x12in.

The Salisbury Art Show
Saturday 28th May – Saturday 4th June 2011
At Leaden Hall, 70 The Cathedral Close, Salisbury SP1
Saturday 28th May – Saturday 4th June 2011
11 – 4pm Open daily Free Admission

A message of congratulations on the window at W H Patterson in Mayfair.
(far left is my 20x16in Regent Street painting, on the right is a very nice view of the palace by Peter van Breda)

Regent Street flags, 10x12in.  The smaller of two views I painted while standing on a traffic island in the middle of the road.

I had been painting the Union Flags and noticed this red white and blue pattern had appeared in my dipper – almost a French tricolour.

Above: the painting nearing completion.  As usual, this picture was painted entirely on location.  There was a gap of two weeks between beginning the painting and going back to finish it. You will notice that when I started (photo below) the trees were bright pink with blossom. When I returned for the second session they had turned green, fortunately I had got far enough with the trees to have got away with it!

San Giorgio Sparkle.  8 x 10 inches, oil on board

Over the years, this exhibition has contributed over £100,000 to the Venice in Peril Fund.  The show features “a wonderful selection of beautiful paintings from many new artists as well as exceptional pictures from the palettes of our talented regulars”.

During the exhibition there is an opportunity to win a fabulous 5 star holiday to Venice sponsored by Kirker Holidays.  The prize includes a stay at the Danieli Hotel and return journey to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.  How cool is that?

It’s been a long time since my last trip on the Orient Express so, if you win the holiday and want to take an artist with you, well – you know who to ask…

Find out more about Venice in Peril.

Wednesday 12 January – Friday 4 February 2011

W H Patterson
19, Albemarle Street, London. W1S 4BB.
Tel +44 (0)20 7248 3824  email: info@whpatterson.com

Black Jack Lane, Oil on canvas, 16 x 32 inches

Snow at Marlow, Oil on canvas, 20 x 36 inches

After a busy few days out painting the snow I have finally got round to photographing a few of my plein air paintings.  All of these pictures were completed on location in one session.  It’s been a great having such wonderful subject matter but the snow is now melting.  I cant wait for the next cold snap.