It is very nice to once again be able to get out and about and even spend time sketching in the June sunshine in Kent.

This week I was able to do some sketching at Oare, near Faversham in Kent.

The marshes at Oare are a great wildlife and bird sanctuary and there is a pathway called the Saxon Shore Way that goes all around the coastline.

Where the Oare Creek meets the Faversham Creek is for me a nice place to sit and paint the boats, building and long distance view across Kent towards Faversham and beyond. I wasn’t going to be there long so the sketchbook, brushes and paints and three legged stool were enough equipment to paint a couple of scenes which could then be used to do some larger  studio watercolours.

So here are the two sketches, each about 10 by 9 inches , one a closer detail of the boast and boatyard at the junction of the two Creeks. It was low tide so rather a lot of mud and not much creek!

The Boatyard from Oare Marshes. Sketchbook pen and wash. 10 inches by 9

Low tide at the Boatyard and the scene from Oare Marshes. Sketchbook watercolour, pen and wash. 10 Ickes by 9.

Back home I had started some larger paintings in watercolour of this scene from older photos but my sketches have now helped finish these paintings off for you to see.

The first is from across the creek toward the boatyard with the buildings and the pub there in the background. The second is the same view as the sketches with a glimpse of St Mary’s Church in the centre of Faversham  able to be seen even though it must be about 2 miles away across the flat marshy land.

Barges and boats in Oare Creek. Watercolour 15 inches by 10 on Arches NOT 300gsm paper.

The Boatyard at Oare Creek. Watercolour 15 inches by 10 on Arches NOT 300gsm paper.

And this view you have seen before. A rather impressionistic view from Oare of the creek with some barges moored.

Barges at Oare. Watercolour 15 inches by 10 on Arches NOT 300gsm paper.

Out of interest the two sketches take about 20 minutes each to do so it is fast and furious, but the larger watercolours take me about 2 to 3 hours to complete , albeit with some drying time for the washes.

I hope you enjoy them all.

Where next I wonder?

Stay safe and well

Brian