Sketchbook Notes

 Over the years I have built up many sketchbooks, they are a valuable source of information for completed works. They act as a memory aid, sometimes an accurate painting follows from the sketch and other times parts are used from different sketches with a bit of poetic licence thrown in! Going through these sketchbooks with my daughter I thought it would make an interesting post to see a few before and after's...

The Barley Mow Pub in Greenwich - sold.

Digby Fairweather Band at The Festival Hall, London.

Dockers Shelter, Redriffe Road, Bermondsey, London. 1970.

Clock, Stool and Fireplace (neat version!).

Do-It-Yourself.

Under Hungerford Bridge 1992.

Java Wharf - sold

Timer Going Overside, Surrey Docks, 1982

The Welders at Pipers Wharf - sold.

Going through the sketchbook 2025.

Sidney Jacob Scales

 My father Sidney Jacob Scales, was a stevedore who worked in the Royal Albert Docks all his life. Both the journey to work through the Blackwall Tunnel every day and the work itself was hard. I drew these sketches between the late 1940's and 50's when my father came home from work exhausted. It was a tough life as these sketches show but his exhaustion meant he was the perfect model for his teenage son at Camberwell School of Art! Now looking back they seem to speak volumes...

Happy Festivities!

Wishing all my friends, customers and random searchers a very Happy Christmas holiday

 and all best wishes for a more peaceful world in 2025.

Blackheath Art Society Winter Exhibition 8th November - 19th December 2024

On show at The Blackheath Halls, for more information please visit blackheathartsociety.org.uk

 and The Blackheath Halls

A wonderful opportunity to buy unique gifts and support local talent! Wander in and peruse at your leisure, entry is free.

The Lizzie at Lovells Wharf

 It is always a special pleasure to sell a painting to a buyer with connections to the Thames. This painting was bought by someone whose family worked as dockers at the wharf and for whom it holds precious memories.

The Lizzie at Lovells Wharf - sold

Children Paddling 1950

 This painting was made in 1950 during a time when there were many water tanks left lying around. During the war these tanks were used to put out incendiary bombs and this painting whilst not strictly 'true' was based on a typical Bermondsey scene. This painting was in fact a study for a larger work which was one of the first paintings I exhibited while a student at Camberwell School of Art (in a college show) and to my delight was bought by Sir William Coldstream. This smaller study, a happy memory, is not for sale.  

Oil on board 460mm W x 470mm.

A Very Happy Christmas

 And a Peaceful, Healthy 2024