Two of my clients were looking for two paintings of Lymington for their home. They were not totally sure of the views they wanted, they had, however, a few favourites they would like to explore.
After a brief chat, we decided to walk around the harbour area to discuss a few sites, as we did so I would work up a number of quick sketches as a basis for a conversation.
In this article, I feature three sketched ideas, and two final paintings.
A bit about Lymington
A settlement has been here, tucked away on the banks of the river Lymington since the 6th Century, and has been inhabited ever since with a listing as “Lentune” in the Doomsday book in 1086. The village has survived through fishing, ship building, salt making, and even as an army garrison at one point. It seems Lymington has responded to the changing times rather well over 1,400 hundred years.
Lymington has slowly grown into a small town (9,300), and these days, is one of the south coast’s centres of yachting so is very popular with tourists. During the summer months, it’s packed out, and those that aren’t sailing about, are watching those who are, whilst catching crabs from the quay with bits of bacon and string.
The first painting in this article is one of the two paintings which the client finally commissioned.
Lymington Train Station
The Lymington Railway, running between Brockenhurst and Lymington was built in 1856, at that time, it was a temporary station thought this permanent station was opened at Lymington Town in 1860. Three years later, the company acquired a ferry to the Isle of Wight. The company was then bought by the London and South Western Railway in 1879. Services were extended to Lymington Pier in 1884.
I sketched it out quickly, and as I did so, I noticed how it was built with such care. It is more akin to a country vicarage than a railways station, the twin gables and ostentatious chimneys must have dominated the harbour skyline at the time of its construction. It would be a good painting to do on another day.
I suppose its links to the IOW ferry was the thing that saved it from the Beeching cuts in the 1960s.
Quay Hill (final Painting) Lymington
This painting is the view of Quay Hill which leads down from the main part of the town to the harbour. It is peppered with eateries, pubs, and shops which try to catch a bit of trade from the passing visitors.
If you stand at a certain part of the hill, you can see the harbour and the Isle of Wight beyond. I worked up a loose watercolour idea on site and the client chose this for a final painting as it features one of their favourite eating and drinking spots. The final painting is featured here.
The King’s Head, Quay Hill, Lymington
This quick watercolour features The King’s Head pub on the right with Quay Hill dropping down to the harbour below.
This was originally a bakers with one of the ovens still in place. Opposite was an abattoir with fish drying in the courtyard. The smells must have been ‘interesting’ to say the least. Despite all the changes most of the original features of these 300 year old building are still in place with many of the oak beams you can see inside are salvaged from Napoleonic ships.
I was too busy to stop by for a drink or a meal though Trip Advisor reviews seem positive.
Looking up Quay Hill, Lymington
From here, I did a painting of a view of Quay Hill looking up towards the High Street. At the top on the far left you can see the King’s Head pub.
The final paintings of Lymington
Once the clients viewed all five ideas they chose a view of Quay Hill and the harbour view as the final pieces. A most enjoyable commission and good to visit Lymington for the day.
