Painting Dramatic Seascapes

 Just back from a few days painting in acrylics at Slapton (near Kingsbridge) in Devon.

 We went out sketching at various locations including the views from Dartmouth Castle and Prawle Point and then worked from the sketches back at the studio

 Tutor Susan Gray was excellent - very generous with demonstrations of techniques she'd developed and individual attention. I got a huge amount out of it, my painting becoming more abstracted and stylised as I worked only from sketches and memory  rather than photos. The variety of marks that can be made with painting knives was a revelation (although more practice is required...)   

 Very well fed - this blackforest gateau was to die for though the Sunday dinner of roast pork with proper roasties  followed by a selection of 7 local cheeses was amazing (Ian was very jealous when I told him) And then a pint or 2 of 'Otter' at the Queens Arms to discuss progress (and remember to take a torch to find your way back afterwards)

After such a  peaceful and creative time, it was sobering to  have to change route coming  home to avoid Ealing as the bus service was disrupted following the rioting. Horrific  to see photos and films of the damage to an area so close to us - cafes we use and my hairdressers with broken glass.