Hunworth Hall garden, on 5 Oct 2019 is the fourth of six of Norfolk’s great gardens we are painting in this year as part of a series exploring the draw of the English garden in our cultural and artistic psyche. Whether a cottage garden or a landscaped historic estate they all change through the seasons and our final three gardens are seen through autumnal eyes.
Near Holt and Melton Constable, owners Henry and art historian Charlotte Crawley researched the horticultural heritage of their home and restored its Dutch-style pleasure gardens including flowing lines of sculpted hedged, twin canals, a folly, and extensive topiaried trees cut into balls, cones, and parasols.
Hear Henry describing the garden on the BBC which are partly inspired by the 17th-century Dutch water garden at Westbury Court, Gloucestershire. The garden featured in Country Life, 2013.
Charlotte is also a former Director of the East Anglia Art Fund and has been a Paint Out judge.
Paint Out‘s 2019 plein air exploration of Norfolk’s great gardens and houses continues with Houghton Hall walled garden (14 Sep, 11-5pm) but you could also double-up and do Houghton and Elsing Hall across a weekend 14-15 Sep in Norfolk.
A past winner of Christie’s Historic Houses Association ‘Garden of the Year Award’, the 5-acre walled garden has become one of Houghton’s most popular attractions and is itself surrounded by acres of deer-filled woodland and the sculptures of Henry Moore.
Whether the colour of the plantings, or the architecture of horticultural form, or the statues and fine glasshouse, there are views aplenty to paint.
Karen Adams, ‘The Drive to the Hall’, Houghton
These are available as one-day paintouts for £30 or £100 for the remaining 4 events or all 6 if you’ve already pre-paid for the year.
Other venues include Hunworth Hall garden (5 Oct), Norwich Plantation Garden (15 Oct). Paintings will be exhibited for 11 days following a Private View and Prizegiving 16 October during the Hostry Festival in Norwich.
The space within Houghton Hall’s Walled Garden is divided into several contrasting ‘ornamental gardens’. These include a spectacular double-sided herbaceous border, an Italian garden, a formal rose parterre, fruit and vegetable gardens, a glasshouse, a rustic temple, antique statues, fountains and contemporary sculptures including Jeppe Hein’s “Waterflame”, Stephen Cox’s “Flask II”, and Richard Long’s “Houghton Cross” currently positioned on the croquet lawn.
Houghton Hall, Walled Garden Glasshouse
Historic England entry (somewhat out of date!): KITCHEN GARDEN The 5 acre (c 2ha) walled garden lies c 350m south-west of the Hall behind 3m high red-brick walls (listed grade II).
The interior has been developed over the past five years (1992-7) by the present owner as an ornamental flower, fruit, and vegetable garden and is divided into four compartments by mature yew and beech hedges connected to a late C20 central circle of yew with tree peony beds. Paths of grass and gravel radiate from this, with the long north/south axis defined by double herbaceous borders.
Easel of artist Robert Nelmes painting Houghton
The north-east quarter contains a newly planted (1990s) rose garden with herbaceous areas, yew hedging, a central pool, and four statues, while the north-west quarter is currently (1999) being planned.
The south-east quarter is divided by a newly planted (1990s) pleached hornbeam walk and the north-east quarter planted with old orchard trees in part, new fruit areas in part and an ornamental potager for vegetables.
The walled garden is contemporary with the building of the new hall and stables in the early C18 whilst the internal layout and glasshouses are all of late C20 origin.
Henry Moore statue (1983-4) ‘Mother and Child’ at Houghton Hall
The Holt Festival (21-27 July), now in its eleventh year, has 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. A day-and-a-half of outdoor painting by 25 artists should see 50+ artworks created en plein air ready for a Private View at Picturecraft Gallery on Saturday 20 July with awards announced shortly after 1pm. Saturday also sees an Art Car Boot fair featuring artists such as Colin Self running alongside from 11-5pm
Paint Out Holt – Private View Invitation
The judges are Robert Upstone, former Senior Curator of 20th Century Art at Tate and Charlotte Crawley who is a Norfolk-based Art Historian. After studying Art History at Cambridge University and The Courtauld Institute in London, she worked for five years at Windsor Castle looking after the Royal Collection of Drawings and Prints. Charlotte recently retired as the Director of the East Anglia Art Fund and serves on the Norfolk Committee of the Art Fund.
“This combination of judges has the unique qualification of having, early in their careers, curated the foremost collections of Canaletto drawings and Turner sketches probably the most famous early Plein Air painters on the planet!” – James Glennie, Holt Festival
Holt is home to 500-year-old Gresham’s School (alumni include WH Auden, Olivia Colman, Benjamin Britten, James Dyson, and the artist Ben Nicholson) and features fine 18th-century Georgian buildings and beautiful surrounding countryside.
The two-day Paint Out will be backed up by a week-long exhibition in Picturecraft of Holt, a gallery and Art material supplier with the winners exhibiting alongside the now well established Holt Art Prize.
Paint Out Norfolk1-7 July 2019 visits Bishop’s Bridge & the Red Lion in Norwich, Wells-next-the-Sea, the Norfolk Broads at How Hill, Houghton Hall, and the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich for art talks, inspiration from Monet and Hockney, socials, judging by George Rowlett & Paul Greenhalgh, awards and private view, public paint out (6 July) and art exhibition (6-7th). Transport to all painting sites available from Norwich.
Paint Out continues its 2019 programme that has included the inaugural Paint Out Cambridge and an ongoing series of five garden paint-outs with a multi-day premier juried painting event that takes in beach and Broads, countryside and campus, and historical buildings from the 1640s through to 1960s brutalism and 1970s modernism. The loan of a Monet and two Hockney paintings are set to inspire, as well as an art talk by Sainsbury Centre director Professor Paul Greenhalgh. A public paint out on the Saturday during the exhibition weekend (6-7 July) will make this open to artists of all abilities alongside the juried entry event 1-5 July being judged by among others, the eminent plein air artist George Rowlett.
Paint Out is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to host Paint Out Norfolk at the Sainsbury Centre – the preeminent Visual Arts Centre in the region housing an incredible collection of art spanning 5000 years of human creativity. Based at the campus of the University of East Anglia, Norman Foster’s vast 1978 hangar – the size of several football pitches, the Sainsbury Centre provides the backdrop to this year’s flagship Paint Out. It will also be the source of inspiration via an art talk and a special opportunity to view an amazing Monet painting ‘Allée de sapins à Varengeville‘ depicting the Normandy coast and two David Hockney artworks upon which artists can reflect as they head out to paint three classic locations around the county.
The mission of this Paint Out will be to raise the critical agenda of en plein air art practice, whatever form that may take, and continue to bring the genre to a wide and increasingly knowing audience. We’ve been working closely with the Director of Exhibitions, Paul Greenhalgh, who will also be a judge at the event, on how best this can be achieved.
First and most importantly, we feel that it’s vital to not only contextualise the relevance of what’s gone before and recognise that this is often the vital starting point for many outdoor artists but also to allow for contemporary interpretation to flood the artist’s consciousness too. In fact, we have espoused experimentation from the outset of Paint Out, since 2014, and actively encourage artists to work outside their comfort zones.
Monet, Allée de sapins à Varengeville
To that end, the Sainsbury Centre has secured the loans of two notorious exponents of plein air: Claude Monet and David Hockney. The 1882 Varengeville coastal scene by Monet has all the hallmark of the Master’s swirling brushmark notation and clear colour.
The two Hockneys, by contrast, are monumental iPad drawings of Yosemite, fizzing with intense Californian reds and greens and varied mark making. Both may seem out of place in the relatively muted English light but this will be the height of the summer and with luck, the opportunity for artists to gorge on fabulous coastal and Broadland sweeps, as well as be let loose within the grounds of one of England’s finest early eighteenth century houses.
Houghton Hall, Norfolk
In addition to Paul Greenhalgh acting as a competition judge, we are pleased to announce that the well-established plein air artist George Rowlett will be with us acting as a further arbiter of the artworks created. Born on the West Coast of Scotland in 1941, George attended the Camberwell School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools. He has work in public and private collections worldwide and is renowned for balancing both large bold impasto paintings and intimate up-close subjects. A description of Rowlett from a 2009 exhibition catalogue may give you an insight into the character who will be viewing your artistic impressions of Norfolk.
Artist George Rowlett painting en plein air
“When George Rowlett paints in the open air he is like a man wrestling with his subject. But what looks like a struggle is really an intimate dance. He stands back from the easel, a blade loaded with oil paint in one hand, and begins to shuffle as a boxer might, or an inexpert devotee of tai chi. His eyes and hands seem to be feeling the landscape, his shoulders move with its contours, both arms embrace its forms. Then, with a sudden stab and twist, another glistening slice of paint has been added to the thickening layers of rich impasto on the board before him.” – Robert Hewison
For those able to arrive Monday afternoon 1 July we will have a short welcome and induction in the Paint Out tent at the Sainsbury Centre site followed by an informal paint out at a pub on the river in the city of Norwich, the Red Lion by historic Bishop’s Bridge.
On Tuesday 2 July, we return to our favourite haunt on the Norfolk coast, Wells-next-the-sea which we’ve painted since 2015. Inspired by Monet’s depiction of the 1880s Normandy coast through the trees we’ll be visiting the timeless beach, dunes and pines there.
How Hill Nature Reserve, Gardens, Norfolk
Wednesday’s trip will be to the beautiful setting of How Hill, the epicentre of The Norfolk Broads with its wide vistas across river and reed fen, plenty of opportunity to capture boats weaving their way up the river, original reed cutting practice, as well as the beautiful setting of How Hill’s Edwardian Garden with its terracing and eccentric layout. We will return for an art talk at the Sainsbury Centre and social.
On the third day, we have secured access to Houghton Hall and its surrounding deer park. This is an opportunity to capture one of the great houses of England and the original seat of the first Prime minister Horace Walpole.
Culminating on Friday morning, a final paint out around the campus and grounds of UEA and the Sainsbury Centre taking in 1640s Earlham Hall, 1960s Denys Lasdun’s Ziggurats, sculptures and lake, before a Private View and awards on Friday night followed by a weekend art exhibition with public paint out on the Saturday.
Transport to all locations available at a subsidised rate of £5/day.
The inaugural Paint Out Cambridge took place this week and saw over 140 paintings created, each in under 3 hours, across the days and early evenings of 13-15 May. Some 30 plein air artists took to the streets of Cambridge painting its classic colleges, beautiful bridges, meandering River Cam and idyllic meadows with cows, geese and swans, the bustling Market Square, canal boats, punts and of course, bicycles, everywhere.
Andrew Horrod with his First Prize in Acrylics painting of Portugal Street at Paint Out Cambridge
The successful outdoor art event, run in Norfolk since 2014, finally arrived in Cambridge – aided by partnering with Cheffins Fine Art, whose head of paintings, Sarah Flynn, acted as one of the event judges.
Cass Art donated art vouchers for all participants and the three category winners took home £350 each as well as a box of Cass Art supplies. Artist Robert Nelmes won in Oils, Andrew Horrod in Acrylics, and Susanna Field in Watercolours and Mixed Media.
Artist Sarah Allbrook winning a judge’s commendation at Paint Out Cambridge 2019
Judge’s honourable mentions and £100 each went to Stephen Johnston, David Wood, and Sarah Allbrook who also sold 5 paintings at the Private View. Dan Llywelyn Hall was noted in dispatches for his imaginative artworks and titling, and the Spirit of Cambridge and £100 went to Alice Thomson for the energy and vibrancy of her illustrative works which also sold well. The paintings were shown at Cheffins Fine Art on Clifton Road until 17 May and a number will be available online at Paint Out Cambridge 2019 gallery.
The artists painted around Cambridge at some of the many locations on this map, taking in ‘town and gown’, the city market and spires, colleges, and countryside on your doorstep that exists along the Backs, greens, ‘pieces’, meadows and fens.
James Colman presenting First Prize in Oils to Robert Nelmes
The winning paintings featured Gonville and Caius College (Robert Nelmes), twilight on King’s Parade (Susanna Field), and Portugal Street from Jesus Green (Andrew Horrod).
The judges were allowed their own personal commendations with London artist Alice Hall choosing Stephen Johnston’s ‘View from the Master’s Garden’ at Trinity looking towards Kitchen Bridge, St John’s College. Local artist and writer James Horton selected local Cambridge artist David Wood’s classic watercolour of Westcott House on Jesus Lane. Head of paintings at Cheffins Fine Art, Sarah Flynn – who also judged at the long-running Paint Out Norwich competition last year, chose Cambridge-based artist Sarah Allbrook’s view south on the River Cam from Garret Hostel Bridge.
Artist Alice Thomson being presented with the Spirit of Cambridge Prize at POC2019
The Spirit of Cambridge award won by Girton-based artist Alice Thomson featured Magdalene Bridge with its punts, bicycles and the views towards Magdalene College and St Giles (Parish of the Ascension) on the slight hill on the horizon – our hospitable hub for the week of painting.
Paint Out is grateful for the packed turnout at the Private View on Thursday 16 May and warm welcome received in the city of Cambridge, particularly from the council when our artists were massed around the Market on Wednesday. Hopefully, Paint Out Cambridge 2019 will just be our first foray into this fascinating city and see us return, perhaps next year.
We have other art events beginning 26 May through to October scheduled in Norfolk historic gardens, at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, and at the Holt Festival. Artists can enter any or all of these to continue to push and present their plein air practice to interested art lovers with a growing interest in and respect of the plein air painting tradition.
The inaugural Paint Out Cambridge takes place 13-17 May in partnership with Cheffins Fine Art. Dozens of experienced plein air artists used to working on the streets will paint Cambridge’s classic colleges, chapels and beautiful bridges, River Cam, Market Square and other views as seen on this map.
Clare Hall and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, JMW Turner, 1793
Founded in 2014, the immersive outdoor art event has already run a dozen events across Norfolk and Suffolk and has been keen to come to Cambridge for a while. Partnering with Cheffins Fine Art has finally made this possible and the Paint Out team are excited to be running the competition, encouraging artists to capture and immortalise Cambridge’s iconic views.
Who could resist a city that drew JMW Turner to its banks to paint Clare Hall and King’s College Chapel, whilst also being home to the Fitzwilliam and Kettle’s Yard and a series of famous art collections at several Cambridge colleges?
“Cambridge has long been on our radar but with new partners Cheffins Fine Art now on board, the realisation of a central exhibition venue as well as other potential sponsors lining up to host various parts of the Paint Out, we see this is an event that will have multiple opportunities for artists to paint both town and gown in one of the most vibrant and fast-growing cities in the UK.” – James Colman, founder of Paint Out
Artist Sarah Allbrook painting plein air, February sunshine on King’s Parade, Cambridge
Home to the Cambridge School of Art (now part of Anglia Ruskin University) and the Cambridge Drawing Society the team from Paint Out are keen to see local and national artists casting their creative eyes over the city and bringing their art skills to bear in classical and contemporary styles and various media that can be applied to canvas.
“Following the plein air painting event’s success at Paint Out, Norwich, last year, we are excited to support Paint-Out’s inaugural competition in Cambridge. Cambridge has long been an inspiration for artists such as Gwen Raverat, Edwin La Dell and Elisabeth Vellacott and with its iconic and world-recognised architecture and views such as the Mathematical Bridge, King’s College, Rose Crescent and The Backs, we are sure that it will provide endless inspiration for the artists taking part. Plein air painting is an essential part of learning to paint landscape from life and anything to encourage its proliferation within the artistic community is well supported. As the leading fine art auction house in the region, Cheffins is proud to support art events locally and is pleased to support the growth of Paint Out throughout East Anglia.”
The juried painting competition is open to amateur and professional artists alike and features 3-hour and 2-hour painting sessions around the city in full public view during the days and evenings (‘nocturnes’) of 13-15 May. Three eminent judges from the world of fine art (Sarah Flynn, Alice Hall, James Horton) will select the winning pieces with circa £2,000 worth of prizes awarded at the Private View and Awards evening at Cheffins on Clifton Road, on the 16 May (more information email pv@paintoutcambridge.org). The finished artworks will remain on display until 17 May and typically range in price from £150-£850.
Paint Out Cambridge 2019 Judges
Sarah Flynn is Associate Director of Fine Art and Head of Paintings at Cheffins. As an auctioneer and valuer she also once discovered a Rembrandt lying in a homeless charity’s box and secured them £1000s for their work at auction by spotting it. Sarah was a judge at Paint Out Norwich 2018.
Alice Hall is an en plein air painter focusing on landscapes. When she sets out to paint, she looks more like a vagrant than an artist: Wearing many warming layers of paint-encrusted clothing and carrying a rucksack full with paints, pallets, brushes and much more essential clobber besides. She sets up her impromptu studio and starts to work, first sketching the composition and then building up areas of colour. The aim being to capture character and mood, while being truthful to the subject. “Hall sets out to distill that moment when even the mundane can be magical. As you look at her paintings, you can travel to another land too.” – Rachel Campbell Johnston, Art Critic, The Times
James Horton works continually from life whether at Portraits, landscapes or interiors. Since leaving the Royal College of Art in 1974, the Cambridge based artist has travelled, worked and exhibited on location all over the world. Since 2000, he has concentrated on trips to India, Tuscany, North Africa and Jordan. His plein air work is rarely adjusted back in the studio, preserving the essence of time and place. He has written numerous books including the well known ‘Pastel techniques’ (Chrysalis) and ‘An Introduction to Drawing’ (DK in association with The Royal Academy).
Artist Stephen Johnston painting plein air at Paint Out Elsing Hall Gardens, Norfolk
Part-time teacher and artist, Stephen Johnston lives in Norwich and regularly paints with the Norwich Outdoor Painting Group. He first participated at Paint Out Norwich in 2017 and also entered two Paint Out events in 2018. In 2019, he was the only artist to manage all 7 Paint Out Gardens visits around the county of Norfolk across the seasons producing 14 artworks and winning Third Prize at the Awards and Exhibition.
He describes himself as a creative person who gains much satisfaction from producing artwork.
“Being outdoors and in nature’s grip gives me space to be inspired and refreshed. The process is the most important aspect in my journey, I am often dissatisfied with the results but keep the outcome as a record of my observations, aspirations, application, time spent outdoors painting plein air.” – Stephen Johnston
Artist Stephen Johnston, Upton Dyke, Oil, 12x12in, FOR SALE, £180
Artist Stephen Johnston, Upton Dyke, Oil, 12x12in, £180. Paint Out Norfolk
Artist Stephen Johnston, Cirrus Cloud, Thurne, Oil, 12x12in, FOR SALE, £180
Artist Stephen Johnston, Cirrus Cloud, Thurne, Oil, 12x12in, £180. Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Artist Stephen Johnston, Just in Time, Cromer, Oil, 16x20in, FOR SALE, £350
Artist Stephen Johnston, Just in Time, Cromer, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Artist Stephen Johnston, The Tarmac Plant, Trowse, Norwich, Oil, 12x12in, FOR SALE, £250
Artist Stephen Johnston, The Tarmac Plant, Trowse, Norwich, Oil, 12x12in, £250. Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Artist Stephen Johnston, Mackerel Sky, Morston, Oil, 16x20in, FOR SALE, £350
Artist Stephen Johnston, Mackerel Sky, Morston, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Artist Stephen Johnston, White and tan, Near Trowse, Oil, 12x16in, FOR SALE, £250
Artist Stephen Johnston, White and tan, Near Trowse, Oil, 12x16in, £250. Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Stephen Johnston, 'On the Ant', How Hill, Oil, 20x16in, FOR SALE, £350
Artist: Stephen Johnston, Title: On the Ant, Location: How Hill, Media: Oil, Size: 20x16in, £350
Stephen Johnston, 'Electric Eel', How Hill, Oil, 20x16in, FOR SALE, £350
Artist: Stephen Johnston, Title: Electric Eel, Location: How Hill, Media: Oil, Size: 20x16in, £350
Stephen Johnston, 'Bishop's Bridge', Red Lion, Norwich, Oil, 20x16in, FOR SALE, £350
Artist: Stephen Johnston, Title: Bishop's Bridge, Location: Red Lion, Norwich, Media: Oil, Size: 20x16in, £350
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Lavender and Lillies', Hunworth Hall, Norfolk, Oil, 16x20in, £280. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Lavender and Lillies', Hunworth Hall, Norfolk, Oil, 16x20in, £280. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Up the Garden Path', Hunworth Hall, Norfolk, Oil, 16x20in, £280. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Up the Garden Path', Hunworth Hall, Norfolk, Oil, 16x20in, £280. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Autumn Reflection', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 16x20in, £240. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Autumn Reflection', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 16x20in, £240. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Terracotta Terraces', The Plantation Garden, Norwich, Oil, 20x16in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Terracotta Terraces', The Plantation Garden, Norwich, Oil, 20x16in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Gardening Blues', The Plantation Garden, Norwich, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Gardening Blues', The Plantation Garden, Norwich, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Rose and Fountain', Houghton Hall Walled Garden, Oil, 16x20in, £290. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Rose and Fountain', Houghton Hall Walled Garden, Oil, 16x20in, £290. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Autumn Fireworks among the Dahlias', Houghton Hall Walled Garden, Oil, 20x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Autumn Fireworks among the Dahlias', Houghton Hall Walled Garden, Oil, 20x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Ochre Fall', Bishop's House Gardens, Norwich, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Ochre Fall', Bishop's House Gardens, Norwich, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Cobalt Rain', Bishop's House Gardens, Norwich, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Cobalt Rain', Bishop's House Gardens, Norwich, Oil, 16x20in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'First Light', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 15.5x24in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'First Light', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 15.5x24in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Irises', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 12x16in, £220. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Irises', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 12x16in, £220. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Luminous Light', Stody Lodge, Melton Constable, Norfolk, Oil on Fabric, 20x16in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Luminous Light', Stody Lodge, Melton Constable, Norfolk, Oil on Fabric, 20x16in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Yellow and Orange', Stody Lodge, Melton Constable, Norfolk, Oil on Board, 20x16in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Yellow and Orange', Stody Lodge, Melton Constable, Norfolk, Oil on Board, 20x16in, £350. Paint Out Gardens 2019
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Foxgloves', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 16x16in, £220. Paint Out Norfolk Gardens 2019, Third Prize
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'Foxgloves', Elsing Hall, Dereham, Norfolk, Oil, 16x16in, £220. Paint Out Norfolk Gardens 2019, Third Prize
Stephen Johnston, 'View from Master's Garden (Trinity)', Kitchen Bridge, St John's College, Oil, 20x16in, FOR SALE, £380
Artist Stephen Johnston, 'View from Master's Garden (Trinity)', Kitchen Bridge, St John's College, Oil, 20x16in, £380. Paint Out Cambridge 2019 Judge's Commendation
Artist Stephen Johnston, Paint Out Norwich Winter Nocturne, Winner, Oil, 16x20in, FOR SALE, £225
Artist Stephen Johnston, Paint Out Norwich Winter Nocturne, Winner, 16x20in, Oil, £225
Stephen Johnston, 'Two Fine Ducks', Friar's Quay, Norwich, Oil, 16x26in, FOR SALE, £190
Artist: Stephen Johnston, Title: Two Fine Ducks, Location: Friar's Quay, Norwich, Media: Oil, Size: 16x26in, £190
Stephen Johnston, 'St Peter Mancroft', Near Market, Mixed Media, 16x20in, FOR SALE, £290
Artist: Stephen Johnston, Title: St Peter Mancroft, Location: Near Market, Media: Mixed Media, Size: 16x20in, £290
Stephen Johnston, 'The Three Towers of Middle Norwich', Norwich Castle, Oil, 16x20in, FOR SALE, £190
Artist: Stephen Johnston, Title: The Three Towers of Middle Norwich, Location: Norwich Castle, Media: Oil, Size: 16x20in, £190
AndrewFarmer is a professional artist living and working in Yorkshire, one of the ‘The Northern Boys’, who paints primarily in oils exclusively from observation. He has a First Class Degree in Fine Art Painting from Canterbury Christ Church University and distinctions in Art from Church View College, Doncaster. He completed an MA at The Royal Drawing School, London.
“As I’ve developed over the years, my work has become much looser in the handling of paint, creating works which are lively and sometimes verging on the semi-abstract…I try to sum up my subject matter using economical mark making, colour and drawing.”
Describing outdoor painting and the countryside as “permeating” him, he loves to paint en plein air citing Constable, Monet, Sisley, Marquet, as artistic heroes and inspiration.
At his first Paint Out, Andrew received a judge’s commendation from Tony Robinson, an experienced artist himself, and founder of Art in the Open.
NEAC Mall Galleries London, Northern Landscape painting, Haworth Prize – Shortlisted (2016)
ROI Mall Galleries, Windsor and Newton Award for Oil Painting (2015)
Prince’s Drawing School, Prado Residency in Madrid, Richard Ford Award for drawing (2009)
Sample Gallery & Works for Sale
Andrew Farmer, 'Chips on Pottergate', Pottergate, Oil, 50x40cm, FOR SALE, £695
Artist: Andrew Farmer, Title: Chips on Pottergate, Location: Pottergate, Media: Oil, Size: 50x40cm, £695
Andrew Farmer, 'The Old Garage', Colman's Factory, Oil, 30x30cm, FOR SALE, £495
Artist: Andrew Farmer, Title: The Old Garage, Location: Colman's Factory, Media: Oil, Size: 30x30cm, £495
Andrew Farmer, 'Green to Red', Tombland, Oil, 40x30cm, FOR SALE, £450
Artist: Andrew Farmer, Title: Green to Red, Location: Tombland, Media: Oil, Size: 40x30cm, £450
Andrew Farmer, 'For Hire', Near the River, Oil, 50x40cm, FOR SALE, £695
Artist: Andrew Farmer, Title: For Hire, Location: Near the River, Media: Oil, Size: 50x40cm, £695
Andrew Farmer, 'The Market, Morning Light', Norwich Market, Oil, 50x40cm, FOR SALE, £695
Artist: Andrew Farmer, Title: The Market, Morning Light, Location: Norwich Market, Media: Oil, Size: 50x40cm, £695
Andrew Farmer, 'The Meeting Place', Elm Hill, Oil, 50x40cm, FOR SALE, £695
Artist: Andrew Farmer, Title: The Meeting Place, Location: Elm Hill, Media: Oil, Size: 50x40cm, £695
Sarah Allbrook studied for a Fine Art Painting degree at Norwich University of the Arts and have been painting landscapes around East Anglia since graduating in 2009.
“I predominantly paint in oils as I love the creamy texture, consistency and variety of marks that can be made, from washes and thinly scraped back brushstrokes to thick impasto.”
Sarah began painting en plein air in 2017 and joined Norwich Outdoor Painting group in 2018. Paint Out Norwich was the first time she had entered a painting competition and she proceeded to scoop the Third Prize in Oils and People’s Choice Exhibition Vote, and sell extremely well during the PV and Exhibition. One to watch!
“I love the thrill of painting on location, reacting directly to the light, movement and atmosphere of the scene in a limited time period.”
“I am absolutely thrilled to have won two awards at my first Paint Out Norwich. Doing the competition was such a valuable and unforgettable experience and I learnt a great deal through painting so intensely for four days in the company of other artists, and working on a larger scale than I am used to. During my time studying in Norwich I was never brave enough to get outside to paint and so I particularly loved trying to capture the city at night for the first time!”
Sample Gallery & Works for Sale
Artist Sarah Allbrook, Contre Jour Clouds over the Lighthouse, Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 10x12in, FOR SALE, £250
Artist Sarah Allbrook, Contre Jour Clouds over the Lighthouse, Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 10x12in, £250. Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Artist Sarah Allbrook, Across the Dunes, Contre Jour, Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 41x30cm, FOR SALE, £400
Artist Sarah Allbrook, Across the Dunes, Contre Jour, Winterton-on-Sea, Oil, 41x30cm, £400. Paint Out Norfolk 2020
Sarah Allbrook, 'View From Garrett Hostel Bridge', Cambridge Backs, Oil, 40x30cm, SOLD, £300
Paint Out Cambridge 2019 Judge's Commendation
Artist Sarah Allbrook, February sunshine on King’s Parade
Artist Sarah Allbrook, February sunshine on King’s Parade
Artist Sarah Allbrook, Boathouses on the Cam, Midsummer Common
Artist Sarah Allbrook, Boathouses on the Cam, Midsummer Common
Artist Sarah Allbrook, 'The Ethelbert Gate at Night', Norwich Cathedral, Oil, 12x8in, £250. Paint Out Norwich 2018
Sarah Allbrook, 'Exchange Street Nocturne', Norwich Market, Oil, 10x12in, SOLD
Artist: Sarah Allbrook, Title: Exchange Street Nocturne, Location: Norwich Market, Media: Oil, Size: 10x12in, £220
Sarah Allbrook, 'Art School Reflections', Fye Bridge, Oil, 12x18in, SOLD
Artist: Sarah Allbrook, Title: Art School Reflections, Location: Fye Bridge, Media: Oil, Size: 12x18in, SOLD
Sarah Allbrook, 'The Bear Shop, Elm Hill', Elm Hill, Oil, 10x12in, FOR SALE, £150
Artist: Sarah Allbrook, Title: The Bear Shop, Elm Hill, Location: Elm Hill, Media: Oil, Size: 10x12in, £150
Sarah Allbrook, 'Wet Day at Westlegate', Westlegate, Oil, 12x7in, SOLD
Artist: Sarah Allbrook, Title: Wet Day at Westlegate, Location: Westlegate, Media: Oil, Size: 12x7in, SOLD
Sarah Allbrook, 'Sunny Afternoon, Castle Gardens', Norwich Castle, Oil, 16x8in, FOR SALE, £300
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.
“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.”
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
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, 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
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
Near Holt and Melton Constable, owners Henry and art historian Charlotte Crawley researched the horticultural heritage of their home and restored its Dutch-style pleasure gardens including flowing lines of sculpted hedged, twin canals, a folly, and extensive topiaried trees cut into balls, cones, and parasols.
Stody Lodge Gardens (26 May)
