Monday 31 October 2016

Sherwood Forest and Rufford Abbey


The Major Oak
We visited Sherwood Forest during the summer holidays, but as I just finished an oil painting based on the Robin Hood legend, it seems like a good time to catch up on the quick sketches I made there and at Rufford Abbey.

The ruins of Rufford Abbey, set within the house's own park, are within the Sherwood Forest area, but is not part of the Sherwood Forest Country Park, although both are run by Nottinghamshire County Council. Rufford is famed in the world of folk song for a true poaching incident - which you'll find in my song drawing right at the very bottom of this post. If you want to listen to the song, I can recommend Jim Moray's version.
Sherwood Forest visitors

Rufford Abbey

Rufford Abbey
The Rufford Park Poachers: A song drawing


Wednesday 19 October 2016

Paradise in a paper bag

Oil pastel on A3 mixed media paper (cropped)
My son picked these apples (variety: Paradise Citta) from our little tree. It's still laden down with fruit.

Sunday 16 October 2016

Cartoon Capers with Beenham Wind Orchestra

Last night, I had the great pleaure of attending a concert of cartoon-related music, given by the Beenham Wind Orchestra in the church of St. Mary's in Thatcham. The orchestra were not expecting to be sketched, but seemed quite pleased with it nonetheless.