Last month I had the privilege to be invited by The Landmark Trust to spend a week drawing and painting on Lundy Island. I have been commissioned to make a series of paintings of all the rental properties available on the island with the aim to produce postcards and prints ready to sell in the spring. What a fantastic opportunity! I spent time making multiple sketches around the village and taking photographs in preparation for work to begin back in my studio. I also spent a considerable amount of time perched on cliff edges drawing the amazing rock formations below. This was my fifth visit to the island and although I’ve drawn extensively on each visit, this was my first time alone, with the freedom to draw from sunrise to sunset … and beyond!
During this particular visit it was the ever changing light and weather over the sea that really inspired me. These were magnificent skies that dominated the landscape with colour and shadow. I watched throughout the day as storm clouds formed and gathered, and drew furiously as rain fell out to sea whilst the low sun made pools of intense light on neighbouring patches of inky water.
I stayed in Castle Keep East, a cosy and extremely comfortable cottage that has a ready made mini studio located on a raised platform within the lounge space. I enjoyed the wonderful view from my tiny castle window & made a quick sketch each morning at sunrise looking out across the Bristol channel towards the mainland. Once the sun had set early each evening, I sat at my desk and drew from the sketches I’d made that day including a drawing on one small zinc plate with a hard ground ready prepared.
I have been back in London for six weeks now and am still reflecting on this wonderful experience. Lundy is a unique place allows escape from the modern, fast-paced world and gives time and space to think and to reconnect with nature. I am now getting on well with the work I was specifically asked to produce and so far ahead of deadline!