Monthly Archives: January 2015

Kent, the “Garden of England”

Have look at my new page on Oast Houses in Kent.

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Oast Houses at Horsmonden in Kent

Hi everybody

Regular readers of this blog will know how much we love the south of France, and I seem to post about that area quite a bit.

But this week driving around our native Kent I was reminded how beautiful the countryside is right here , just on our doorstep.

We are lucky to live in this lovely part of the UK with it’s green fields, Oast houses, Castles and Gardens. 

With the weather being cold I have been painting some local scenes from photos  and looking back at some paintings from the past year or two and so I thought it was about time I shared a little bit of Kent with you all.

Quite nearby we have several fine National Trust properties. Two in particular, Sissinghurst Castle and gardens, and Scotney Castle have exceptional gardens. Each has unique features but they fit in so well to the lovely countryside around them.

Kent has been known as the Garden of England since Tudor times I believe, and it remains a County that produces a lot of soft fruit, apples, pears, cherries and vegetables. The Spring blossom is spectacular but that is for another day.

These watercolours try to capture a little of the beauty of the area. Scotney with its collections of Azaleas, and Sissinghust famous for it’s gardens and colour.

I hope you like these watercolours and enjoy this quick “visit” to Kent.

Happy travelling and painting!

Brian

http://www.brianswatercolours.com

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Part of the gardens at Sissinghurst Castle

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The ruined castle and gardens at Scotney Castle in Kent

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Fields of rape seed near West Malling in Kent

 

 

 

 

New Year on the Cote d’Azur

Hi Everybody,

Digging in the sand at Mandelieu La Napoule

Digging in the sand at Mandelieu La Napoule

We were very fortunate this year to spend New Year in Mandelieu, on the Cote d’Azur. As you all know we really enjoy this lovely part of France.

The weather was really lovely, sunny enough to eat lunch on the terrace and play golf and paint in the sun.

Especially nice too, as our Grandaughter, aged 2,  and her parents were with us which inspired one of the paintings. A quick dig on a lovely sandy beach is something for any time on the year!

We didn’t actually visit Haut Provence this time but I managed to paint a couple of watercolours from older reference photos.

I hope you enjoy these new paintings and that if you know this part of the world it will remind you of it’s beauty ,or if you haven’t yet visited this lovely coast and mountain region get it on your list!

Happy painting, and travelling to you all and may 2015 be a good year!

Brian

 

“Have look at my other site too.”

http://www.brianswatercolours.com

Lavender at the village in Provence

Lavender at the village in Provence

Winter in the mountains of Provence

Winter in the mountains of Provence

Cottage in Haut Provence

Cottage in Haut Provence

 

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