Hi Everybody

I haven’t posted for some weeks now as somehow now that our lockdowns are gone and life is returning to normal, albeit slowly, I have found that we have been quite busy which is great!

However recently we managed to spend  a few days in Yorkshire, based in nice Hotel called Sandburn Hall and from there were were able to make a few visits to various places in the East of the County.

Yorkshire scenery is lovely and the coast is great with various villages and larger towns to explore.

Days spent in York are rewarding too and although it is busy City there is so much to see.

In this post I have included some new watercolours and also some from previous visits to the County. I hope you like them and that they remind you of the area, or inspire you to visit Yorkshire too.

In the south east area of Yorkshire lies Flamborough head, with it’s lighthouse and cliffs. This view is of the bay there from the cliffs .

The Bay at Flamborough Head. Watercolour 46 by 23 cms.

Further north is Robin Hood’s Bay, This very pretty village is at the bottom of the cliffs and it  is a steep! walk down to get there. It seems even steeper on the way up.

Many years ago I went to a workshop by Charles Evans, a fine watercolour painter and this painting, more in his style was the result of a great day with him.

Watercolour of Robin Hood’s Bay , painted during a Charles Evans Workshop. 45 by 30 cms.

Here are two of my watercolour sketches of Robin Hood’s Bay.

Robin Hood’s Bay. Watercolour and ink sketch 31 by 23 cms.

A side street in Robin Hood’s Bay. Watercolour and ink sketch 23 by 26 cms.

 Even further up the coast is the fishing village of Staithes. This watercolour from last year tries to capture this pretty village, which is once again at the bottom of a very steep hill!

Staithes in North Yorkshire. Watercolour sketch with ink 26 by 23 cms.

Turning inland towards York reveals the varied scenery of Yorkshire, the Moors and then the softer farming countryside as we headed for York. 

No visit to Yorkshire is complete without visits to some of Yorkshire’s Stately homes and this time we were able to visit Castle Howard, Beningborough Hall and Nunnington Hall. 

Unfortunately Castle Howard interior was closed as a film was being shot there, but the garden and grounds are spectacular and so here are two quick sketches of the view across the lake and the gardens near the Castle.

Across the lake at Castle Howrd. Watercolour Sketch with ink. 26 by 23 cms

The view of Castle Howard from on of the flower gardens. Watercolour sketch 24 by 24 cms.

In York there is so much to see and it is a sketchers paradise, but also there are some great Restaurants and Cafes to enjoy. Two are our particular favourites. Rustique, a great French style bistro in Castlegate, and Little Italy in Goodramgate. Both really good and very welcoming. 

Here are a few sketches of York from our previous visit which try to capture the interesting scenes around the City.

York Minster from Low Petergate .

York Castle

“The Shambles” in York

Petergate in York

York Minster from the City Wall.

Finally a trip to Harrogate is always for us a must, with its elegant buildings , beautiful parks, great shopping and above all, Betty’s Tea Rooms!

We were lucky as the queue was only 25 minutes( it can be much  longer!) and as always it was a great coffee, scone and cake event. If you are there do visit this beautiful Tea Room in a very elegant building.

This quick sketch will serve to remind us of a great few days in Yorkshire. 

Betty’s Tea rooms in Harrogate. Sketch 26 by 23 cms.

Wherever you are stay safe and if you are now able to travel again do enjoy it!

Best regards

Brian

ps Don’t forget to post my shop on Artfinder (http://www.artfinder.com/brianswatercolours)for many watercolours that are for sale or contact name about any that you see here or elsewhere on this blog.