Paint Out Wells - Paint Out

Artist Susan Isaac

Susan Isaac trained in fine art at Cardiff and Newport Art Colleges. Design history at Brighton followed and then industrial archaeology at Birmingham University. She initially worked as an illustrator and surveyor of historic buildings and landscapes before turning to painting and sculpture full-time at the turn of the millennium.

Awards | Art Gallery | Purchase

“A central theme in my paintings is a search for those particular characteristics that define British towns and countryside. I seek to convey this in a distinctive loose figurative style, drawing on my early fine art training whilst continuing to reflect influences from my time studying industrial landscapes and the built environment.”

Susan’s practice is a mixture of studio work and en plein air work and she first tried her hand at Paint Out at Wells-next-the-Sea 2017 before entering the Norwich event.

“I instantly fell in love with the whole thing and have taken part each year since. This juried, leading exponent of plein air practice is also a tremendous collective event with similarly motivated and yet singular artists each focussed on their own way of working.”

In 2018, she won the Nocturne First Prize for her 2-hour oil painting, “Up The Steps”, painted from the rear of St Peter Mancroft with its eerie gothic feel late at night lit by a single street lamp. In 2019 with “Below Bishop’s Bridge” and 2020 with “Against the Waves”, she walked away with first prizes in Oils and then the overall competition prize. In 2022, she also repeated her first prize winning streak with “In Memoriam” at Wolterton Hall.

“I was pleased with the theatrical effect of this composition and the slight sense of foreboding and mystery. It also made me think of an emptied auditorium, its proscenium lights inverted and cast upon the emptied raked seating, following the days performance. “ – Susan Isaac [more on the creation of her Nocturne winner here]

Her works are definitely distinctive, often described as dark, reminiscent of John Piper and his love of brooding landscapes and iconic churches. There is always a strength to Susan’s works in her choices of subject, composition, and contrast.

“Painting in the public gaze can be a daunting prospect and is often best done in the company of others. Paint Out Norfolk with its various iterations had been my introduction to a supportive community of plein air painters, from regional to international, many of whom return each year, becoming perennial friends. It’s a wonderful way to challenge yourself as well as the genre of plein air and winning the odd prize is always a bonus.”

Paint Out History

Paint Out Norfolk – First prize (2022) awarded by Dr Sally Anne Huxtable
Paint Out Norfolk – First prize (2020)
Paint Out Norfolk – First prize in Oils (2019)
Paint Out Norwich – Nocturne First Prize (2018)
Paint Out Norwich – selected and participated (2017)
Paint Out Wells – selected and participated (2017)

Other Awards

Buxton Spa Prize Open Art Competition – International Festival Choice (2017)
Leicester and East Midlands Art Exhibition – Open26 winner of Wilson Brown Prize (2015)
Oxford Art Prize plein air competition – winner of 1851 prize (2015)
Artist & Leisure Painter Open Art Competition – winner of Winsor & Newton Award (2015)
Thoresby Gallery Open Exhibition – exhibition prize & Tony Wilkinson Prize (2011, 2012, 2015)

Sample Gallery & Works for Sale

Painting of Wolterton Hall — Artist Susan Isaac, In Memoriam, Wolterton Hall, Norfolk, Mixed Media, 45x45cm, SOLD. Paint Out Norfolk 2022 First Prize

Artist Susan Isaac, Six Pillars - Cathedral Infirmary, The Infirmary, Norfolk, Oil, 60x75cm, £700. — Artist Susan Isaac, Six Pillars - Cathedral Infirmary, The Infirmary, Norfolk, Oil, 60x75cm, FOR SALE, £700
Paint Out Norfolk 2021

Artist Susan Isaac, Measuring the Tide (Wells-next-the-Sea), Wells-next-the-Sea, Acrylic, 35x55cm, FOR SALE, £350
Artist Susan Isaac, Measuring the Tide (Wells-next-the-Sea), Wells-next-the-Sea, Acrylic, 35x55cm, £350. Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Artist Susan Isaac, Datum Line in the Grass (Burgh Castle), Burgh Castle, Acrylic, 30x60cm, FOR SALE, £350
Artist Susan Isaac, Datum Line in the Grass (Burgh Castle), Burgh Castle, Acrylic, 30x60cm, £350. Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Susan Isaac, A Georgian Front (Cathedral Close, Norwich), Norwich, Oil, 55x40cm, £480. Paint Out Norfolk 2020 — Artist Susan Isaac, A Georgian Front (Cathedral Close, Norwich), Norwich, Oil, 55x40cm, FOR SALE, £480
Artist Susan Isaac, A Georgian Front (Cathedral Close, Norwich), Norwich, Oil, 55x40cm, FOR SALE, £480

Artist Susan Isaac, Against the Waves (Winterton), Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 50x65cm, FOR SALE, £650
Artist Susan Isaac, Against the Waves (Winterton), Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 50x65cm, £650. Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Artist Susan Isaac, St Mary’s Church, Surlingham, Mixed Media, 40x50cm, SOLD, £490
Artist Susan Isaac, St Mary’s Church, Surlingham, Mixed Media, 40x50cm, £490. Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Susan Isaac, 'Fence and Defence', Wells-next-the-Sea, Oil, 30x76cm, SOLD, £650
Artist: Susan Isaac, Title: Fence and Defence, Location: Wells-next-the-Sea, Media: Oil, Size: 30x76cm, £650

Artist Susan Isaac, 'Folly at Hunworth Hall', Hunworth Hall, Norfolk, Oil, 30x40cm, £400. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Susan Isaac, 'Folly at Hunworth Hall', Hunworth Hall, Norfolk, Oil, 30x40cm, £400. Paint Out Gardens 2019

Susan Isaac, 'Below Bishop's Bridge', Norwich, Oil, 30x30cm, FOR SALE, £400
Artist: Susan Isaac, Title: Below Bishop's Bridge, Location: Norwich, Media: Oil, Size: 30x30cm, £400

Susan Isaac, 'Benchmarks', Wells Beach, Norfolk, Acrylic on canvas, 50x50cm, FOR SALE, £600
Artist: Susan Isaac, Title: Benchmarks, Location: Wells Beach, Norfolk, Media: Acrylic on canvas, Size: 50x50cm, £600

Susan Isaac, 'Looking Toward 'The Royal'', Norwich Castle, Oil, 35x65cm, FOR SALE, £600
Artist: Susan Isaac, Title: Looking Toward 'The Royal', Location: Norwich Castle, Media: Oil, Size: 35x65cm, £600

Susan Isaac, 'Boats at Blakeney', Blakeney, Oil on canvas, 40x40cm, FOR SALE
Artist: Susan Isaac, Title: Boats at Blakeney, Location: Blakeney, Media: Oil on canvas, Size: 40x40cm, £575

Susan Isaac, 'Towards the Guildhall', Norwich Market, Oil, 35x65cm, FOR SALE, £400
Artist: Susan Isaac, Title: Towards the Guildhall, Location: Norwich Market, Media: Oil, Size: 35x65cm, £400

Susan Isaac, 'Up The Steps (St Peter Mancroft)', Off Norwich Market, Oil, 30x40cm, FOR SALE, £400
Artist: Susan Isaac, Title: Up The Steps (St Peter Mancroft), Location: Off Norwich Market, Media: Oil, Size: 30x40cm, £400

Art Sale Enquiry

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Paint Out Plein Air Art Competition

Forthcoming Plein Air Painting Events

Paint Out Norfolk, 13-22 July 2023

Our outdoor painting programme builds upon 9 years of plein air art events and 3 years successful 8-day tours of Norfolk and Norwich with an open-air exhibition that sees dozens of artwork sales. In 2023, we are expanding again to welcome over 100 artists in our 10th year and add more facilities on-site (art materials, food and beverages etc). It is the UK’s most innovative plein air art event – 13-20 July 2023 – open for entries. Come and capture the height of summer in county, city, coast and countryside locations including Norwich, Norfolk seaside, inland Broads, market towns, and historic houses, gardens and parks, allotments and cemeteries!

If you are a participating artist use the Logging and Logistics pages for Event information and the password previously sent you (contact info@paintout.org or 07432 608015 if you have not received this).

Paint Out Norfolk 2023 Join Our Mailing List Paint Out Register interest

Paint Out Norfolk PV, Awards & Exhibition, 20-22 July 2023

From 6pm on Thursday 20th July you can be among the first to see the judging, awards, prizes and scoop up some amazing paintings. Friday-Saturday 21st-22nd July the Exhibition and sales continue 10-6pm and thereafter online. Previews and the opportunity to purchase or reserve paintings are possible from 15th July daily on site before the final curation after midday on the 20th.

Paint Out Norfolk 2023 Awards & Exhibition

Past Events

Paint Out Norwich Nocturnes, 27-29 October 2022

This autumn, we returned to Norwich and its contrasting medieval streets and modern shops with a specific emphasis on a Nocturne painting festival running Thursday evening through to a Saturday Private View and Sunday exhibition in Cathedral Close, Tombland.

Paint Out has showcased Nocturne painting since we began in 2014. This year’s October event focused on the plein air skill of painting as the sun disappears and evening lights appear, perhaps reflecting off damp cobbles the neon glows of shops and yellowed street lamps.

Paint Out Norwich Nocturnes 2022 Gallery

Paint Out Norfolk, 15-24 July 2022

Braving the hottest British summer in over 40 years we saw 75 artists paint Blickling and Wolterton Halls, Norwich, the Broads, and the coast.

Judges included artist Michael Richardson, curator Dr Sally Anne Huxtable, and curator/art critic Hugh Pilkington.

Paint Out Norfolk 2021 Gallery

Paint Out Ludham, 26 June 2022

In June we will paint 16 open gardens and a 14th-century church based in the beautiful Ludham, on the Norfolk Broads. Home to Edward Seago and Kieron Williamson, this event will also see classic cars, heritage boats, and the village life of a summer festival celebration in full swing.

Paint Out Ludham 2022 Gallery

Paint Out Norfolk Churches, postponed 2022

This year sees two warm-up events ahead of July’s art festival and competition. In May we will paint a historic 1000-year-old church in order to help fund its preservation and also paint the sweeping views to the East Coast, lakes and arboretum belonging to James Colman nearby.

Paint Out Norfolk Churches 2022

Paint Out Norwich, 15-17 October 2021

We returned to the autumn and Norwich for a Hostry Festival anniversary special and exhibition in the Maddermarket Theatre.

Paint Out Norwich 2021 Gallery

Paint Out Norfolk, 16-23 July 2021

We continued the new 1-8 days+ summer format with 70 artists and double the exhibition capacity. Artists painted from Hunstanton to Winterton, Gooderstone Water Gardens to Gunton Park, and across Norwich and the Norfolk Broads.

Judges included artists Maggi Hambling and Rob Adams, and curator/art historian Giorgia Bottinelli.

Paint Out Norfolk 2021 Gallery

Paint Out Norfolk, 16-23 July 2020

Moving our premier event to the summer allows us to spend up to 8 days in Norwich and Norfolk, around city, coast and countryside, including seaside and market towns as well as the iconic historic medieval city of Norwich itself.

Paint Out Norfolk 2020 Gallery

Paint Out Norwich Midwinter, 18 Dec 2019

Following 2018’s midwinter free event we are returning to Norwich Market, Jarrolds and the surrounding area to paint the seasonal scenes. We’ll be there from 1-5pm and then have a drink together. Paint early for the light, paint late for the lights, or paint both! There is no charge for this free event but registration via our website or Facebook would help us with numbers and racking space.

Paint Out Norfolk Gardens, May-Oct 2019

Throughout 2019 we explored Norfolk’s great gardens with a succession of one-day events at:

Stody Lodge Gardens (26 May) DETAILS

Elsing Hall Gardens (16 Jun & 15 Sep) DETAILS

Houghton Hall walled garden (14 Sep) DETAILS

Hunworth Hall garden (5 Oct) DETAILS

Norwich Bishop’s House Garden (14 Oct) DETAILS

Norwich Plantation Garden (15 Oct) DETAILS

Paint Out Gardens 2019 Gallery

Paint Out Holt, 19-20 July 2019

The Holt Festival (21-27 July), now in its eleventh year, invited Paint Out to open this year’s Festival with a two-day Paint Out and Private View (19-20 July) around the charming North Norfolk town. Robert Upstone a Tate curator judged the event at Paint Out Holt as well as Charlotte Crawley (Art Historian, former EAAF).

Home to 500-year-old Gresham’s School (alumni include WH Auden, Olivia Colman, Benjamin Britten, James Dyson, and the artist Ben Nicholson), this two-session Paint Out was backed up by a ten-day exhibition in Picturecraft of Holt, a gallery and Art material supplier with the winners exhibiting alongside the now well established Holt Art Prize.

Join Our Mailing List Paint Out Register interest Paint Out Holt 2019 Gallery

Paint Out Norfolk, 1-7 July 2019

Paint Out Norfolk took place in conjunction with The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts 1-7 July (painting days 1st-5th, PV 5th, Exhibition 6th-7th) based around the Sainsbury Centre/UEA campus site and painting further afield including Wells-next-the-Sea, the Broads, and Houghton Hall park.

Join Our Mailing List Paint Out Register interest Paint Out Norfolk 2019 Gallery

Paint Out Cambridge, 13-15 May 2019

The inaugural Paint Out Cambridge took place 13-17 May (painting 13-15th, PV 16th, exhibition till 17th) in collaboration with Cheffins Fine Art who hosted the packed Private View. Iconic views, Cambridge colleges, Kings College Chapel, the River Cam – its punts and bridges, the Market, all featured in our first plein air Cambridge art event. Prizes included award cheques and Cass Art materials. View the winners and selected others gallery.

Paint Out Norwich Winter Nocturne, 19 Dec 2018

Paint Out Norwich ran a winter nocturne Christmas lights plein air and social, Wednesday 19 December 2018 4-7pm. The open-air painting and ‘pinting’ event, started out at the Bell Hotel pub and included a bottle of bubbly for the best painting of the evening. Some of the locations painted included the fifteenth-century Bell Hotel itself, Jarrolds, and the Market/City Hall. All three were decorated and illuminated with tasteful seasonal lighting.

Paint Out Norwich, 13-28 Oct 2018

Premier plein air juried art competition (13-17th) since 2014, artist workshops (13-26th) and art talks (15-16th), public paint out (21st), private view & art awards (17th), Hostry exhibition (18-28th) – more information | event gallery

Public Paint Outs & other One-Day Paint Outs

21 October 2018 in Norwich and more of these to follow…

Paint Out Wells-next-the-Sea, 8 Sep 2018

North Norfolk coast plein air painting competition. Since 2015 this event has seen workshops, demos, beach public paint outs at sunrise, Buttlands exhibition, day trips to neighbouring towns such as Blakeney, Burnham Market, Brancaster Staithe etc – more information | event gallery

Paint Out Great Yarmouth, 1 Sep 2018

A new one-day event is taking place – Paint Out Great Yarmouth on 1 September, from Seaside to Quayside, in collaboration with Norfolk Museums Service and particularly the Time and Tide Museum’s event ‘Drawn to the Coast: Turner, Constable, Cotman‘ which explores the identity of Great Yarmouth and its surrounding landscape through the artwork it has inspired – more information.

Paint Out Sudbury, Suffolk, 30 Jun 2018

One-day warm-up event in Gainsborough’s hometown with options to paint the town, Gainsborough garden, old railway line walk, the Watermeadows, and more. Great views and amazing local countryside on the Suffolk/Essex border – more information | event gallery

Paint Out at the RNS 28-29 June 2017

Paint Out 2017 featured a select group of invited artists painting the UK’s largest two-day agricultural fair – the Royal Norfolk Show. With up to 100,000 visitors it is the premier event of its kind – more information | event gallery

Paint Out 2014-2016

Previous paint outs also ran in Norwich 2014-2016 and Well-next-the-Sea 2015-2016.

Apply to Paint Out Plein Air Art Events

Artists silhouetted at Paint Out Wells 2015 sunrise. Photo by Katy Jon Went

Paint Out 2023 Plein Air Art Competitions

ENTER Paint Out Norfolk, July 2023 Paint Out Register interest

Paint Out Norfolk, July 2023

Artist Kate Gabriel painting Winterton allotments, Paint Out Norfolk 2020 — Artist Kate Gabriel painting Winterton-on-Sea allotments during Paint Out Norfolk

Our outdoor painting programme builds upon 9 years of plein air art events across of Norfolk and Norwich with an open-air exhibition that sees dozens of artwork sales. We expect to welcome over 100 artists from UK, Europe & USA, do sign up early to join the UK’s most innovative plein air art event – the July 2023 event is now open for entries with early bird pricing (save up to £150). Come and capture the height of summer in city, coast and countryside locations including Norwich, Norfolk seaside, inland Broads, market towns, and historic houses, gardens and parks, allotments and cemeteries!

Paint Out Norfolk 2023 Application