Following on from my previous art post (Quantock Paintings – Part 1), here are a few more of the paintings that I did during, or shortly after returning home from, our short break in Crowcombe, at the foot of the Quantock Hills in Somerset, last June.
First, here are a couple of pictures depicting views from walks that we did. Both are in my ‘normal’ style, a simple ink pen sketch with the watercolours added on top. I think that I have a tendency to try to put a lot of detail into my drawings (at least until I get bored and start scribbling in trees and foliage), but I am conscious that with painting it is often a case of ‘less is more’. In these two pictures I think that I managed to hold myself in check and kept the drawings fairly simple and ‘loose’. The pictures show Crowcombe Church and a view of the coastline at East Quantoxhead…
Next, I’ve included the results of an attempt to play with a slightly different approach, eschewing entirely the use of an ink pen to create a base sketch, and instead, going straight for the watercolour paints. I think that in many people’s minds, traditional (true?) watercolour paintings use only paints, generally placing these on a much wetter surface than I use, but I’ve not had any artistic training whatsoever so that’s not how my work has evolved. This picture shows a view from another of the walks that we did, looking west towards Minehead across hedge-lined fields with a riot of wildflowers in the foreground…
The vast majority of my paintings are of landscapes in one form or another. This is partly because I like landscapes, but also partly because whilst I might be able to make a decent fist of painting trees, fields, hills and buildings etc., I’m pretty much hopeless at drawing and painting people and animals. So, the picture below is a little unusual because it features me, standing at a gate looking east from the main ridge of the Quantock Hills. I like this picture because it is a bit quirky, with some nice ‘busy’ trees, but I don’t think it does anything to improve my reputation as a painter of people!
Finally, it’s become a tradition now that I paint a picture showing whatever accommodation we have stayed in when we are away, which we then leave behind as a thank you to the owner of the accommodation. In this case, we were staying in a delightful little Shepherd’s Hut, with a sunset view towards Exmoor. Now, for me to describe a Shepherd’s Hut as ‘delightful’ is something of a miracle, but although the picture doesn’t capture the view, I think it does capture something of the charm of the place.
I’ve written this post almost exactly one year on from our stay in Crowcombe, and it’s been nice to look back on these pictures and be reminded of a really pleasant few days in a quiet and beautiful part of the world.
Tim O'Hare 
I like the various ‘line’ in your studies, and an interesting account of your travels in Somerset, Tim. Love the Shepherd’s Hut! Are you from Somerset?
Thanks. Yes… well sort of! I was born in Gloucestershire, lived briefly in Wiltshire but was brought up in Somerset (Bridgwater) and my mum’s family were Somerset farming folk and blacksmiths going back to at least the 17th century (including being supporters of the Monmouth Rebellion and suffering at the command of Judge Jeffries). So I tend to think of myself as being from Somerset even though I’ve not lived there for ~40 years now.
Interesting family history. Also, it appears we have a few things in common, Tim. Like you, I’ve not lived in Somerset for many years (26). Unlike you, I was born in Somerset, and lived in Burnham-on-Sea, Pawlet, Weston-Super-Mare, and while at boarding school, I lived at Edington Manor, and Puriton Manor. Like you, we have a ‘Bridgy’ connection. I know Bridgwater (I still remember not to add the ‘e’) fairly well. My Art teacher managed the Blake Museum, and I attended the industrial college (BIC) briefly in the mid-80s. It was a horrid experience, made even worse when having to cycle past the cellophane factory on the way in. The stench! I think we reminisce more when we have memorable, and less memorable memories about our histories. I quit North Somerset in 1999, for Tokyo. A bit of a change you might say!
I went to Bridgwater College for my A Levels in 1981-83 during which time it moved from old buildings off the Broadway to the new site near the railway station. I also used to cycle there, but from the Wembdon end of town.
I did 6 weeks of work experience in the research group of the Plastic Films Division of the Smellophane factory in the summer after my first year at university (1985).
My brother used to help out behind the scenes at the museum on Saturday mornings. The curator was called St John Earl I think. I loved the battle dioramas – Sedgemoor and a naval battle that were in the museum.
All very different to Japan I’m sure!
What a small world we live in, Tim. So, while I was cycling past the ‘Smellophane’ factory, you were probably inside! I don’t envy you in the least. Sorry! Yes, Mr Earl was my Art teacher. Apparently, he used to work in the film industry and made model aeroplanes for war films in the 1950s. I still remember him collecting our GCE O-Level artwork, sitting down, then with a bit of chalk highlighting our paintings before sending them off! Keep that fact under your hat, Tim! Incidentally, I ended up as a Lecturer of Art.
Keep up with the art and poetry!