This week our Artists have worked outside in the May sunshine , sketching ‘en plein air’ . In Scotland we have work from various places in Coldingham village and in Devon, we spent a day out at a local private home, Castle Dyke house; where we were honoured to be given time in Nichola and Paul’s gorgeous estate garden.

Today, our Artists rambled through two acres of gardens and grounds, sketchbooks and deckchairs in tow, including a wonderful section of formal gardens framed by a wisteria dripping terraced entrance and a charming fairytale summerhouse in the centre of picture book lawn. The blue ‘Monet’ bridge, and lovely stone sculptures were a fabulous draw amongst the vibrant colour of the abundant plants and the perfect blue sky.
Beyond the lovely formal gardens was more inspiration including an
ancient motte & bailey castle site from which the more mobile of our crew could take in the splendid views of the surrounding local area, to both the coast and nearby moorland. A tour by Nichola of the pretty and pond growing white bog bean flower, a rare and lovely tiny purple orchid and various other treasures around the garden, made our morning even more special.

We couldn’t have chosen a better day or been made more welcome by our hosts. After a quick hello, everyone found a little corner of paradise to sit and sketch, take photographs and just absorb the splendour. The convivial atmosphere was lovely.

The Art group in Devon in the sunshine! Truly today we needed a magic carpet to zoom our Northern friends down for the day. We know you were all were here in spirit as usual. And if you hire that carpet, Ill be talking very nicely to Nichola…

Castle Dyke sketches

We can’t thank Nichola enough for enabling today to happen. It was incredibly generous of them both. Sometimes a little kindness goes a long way and today will keep us all going all year. .

A lot can happen when you sketch .

Why not pick up a pen?

All my love, liz at the beach hut xxx 😘