Winkfield to Ascot

Long day started in Bradford. The tour took me from Winkfield where I continued from Sunday and ended up completing half the tour of Ascot. There are many houses to visit in Ascot - should take most of the day tomorrow as well.

Finally ended up in one of my favourite B & B's, located in Marlow. Went on a very pleasant stroll along a lane, got half way to the pub then decided to turn around and head back.

Kidmore End to Winkfield

A three day tour from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th May taking in Kidmore End, Finchampstead, Crowthorne, Binfield, Warfield, Winkfield. Weather conditions mostly overcast but some sunny spells to brighten things up.

Saw some interesting wildlife..
















Another cricket match in full swing.. probably not as exciting as the events unfolding in Cardiff between England and Sri Lanka!

Fulmer, Windsor, Wraysbury, Sunningdale

Starting in Fulmer then on to Windsor in one day. The next day, Old Windsor, Wraysbury, Datchet and Sunningdale.
Came across this quintessentially English scene in Wraysbury - the new cricket season is well under way.


This was the view I was faced with from the Tesco cafe in Slough - living up to all expectations.

The long walk, Windsor

And looking the other way.

Maidenhead, Bray, Dorney, Taplow, Burnham

Thursday 12th May - Promotional Tour arrives in Bray.
Church off the High Street




Cows blocking the road in Dorney





Time for some liquid refreshment. The Blackwood Arms, Common Lane, Burnham.












Stayed at The Swiss B & B in Cookham. This is the way I like to start a day.








Back to Burnham the next day.

Gleneagles

This paintings was commissioned by Sue and Paul Simmons who I met when I stayed at their B & B in Marlow (which I can highly recommend). Painted from a photograph that Sue took of her son on the driving range at Gleneagles golf course in Scotland. I love this painting because it combines two of my favorite things in the world - watercolours and golf.

Beach Huts

This was painted for a friend. Not sure of its location - I think it's some where on the south coast though. A little artistic license was used to brighten up the huts and a few people were removed from the foreground. That's all there is to say.

Miniature Horses

This has to be one of my more unusual commissions.

The customer wanted the character of the horses to be portrayed more than anything else.

First I had to get a suitable photograph of the horses to work from. Once they had their bridles on they behaved themselves very well! I was able to take several photographs from which best were chosen. The photograph that I used had the two horses standing a little too far apart and so it was a relatively simple job to use a little artisitc license and move them closer together.

The painting was created by starting out with a drawing and then applying the lighter colours first, gradually adding the darker tones and finishing with the finer details.