Painting Pig's head pub in Clapham

An illustration of The Pig’s Head Pub in Clapham, London

I was recently commissioned to produce an illustration for a newly refurbished pub in Clapham in south London. Like many pubs in recent times it has been through a few reincarnations and the new owners were going to create a high-end gastropub and rename the pub “The Pig’s Head”. This painting is available as aRead more…

Painting of tower bridge and tower of london

A painting of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Someone contacted me earlier this year asking me to paint a scene along the river Thames in London. It is arguably one of the most famous river views in the world. This being the view from the south bank of the Thames looking across to the Tower of London and featuring the iconic Tower Bridge.Read more…

Four paintings London and Somerset

Four small oil paintings from a small paint box

During lockdown, as part of the ‘exercise thing’, I began packing watercolours in my bike pannier and going into the countryside to paint postcard sized pictures. I really enjoyed it. In those difficult times it was a great tonic for both body and soul. I even recorded a video about it. As time went on,Read more…

Flower Gardening for Beginners blog

Illustrations for the book Flower Gardening for Beginners

Earlier this year I was asked to illustrate a book on flower gardening. I rather enjoy painting flowers as there are so many varieties. With this kind of work comes different challenges around colour, tone and structure. The one thing they all have in common however is delicacy. It’s a real challenge to make themRead more…

Painting video around Liverpool docks

A painting video of Liverpool Docks and The Liver Building

Earlier this year, after visiting a client, I took the opportunity to visit Liverpool and do a spot of painting. While there, I thought I would produce a small video of my experiences. I hope you enjoy it.   You can buy a limited edition print of the painting here The City of Liverpool datesRead more…

Padstow Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2021

I am exhibiting at The Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2021

Later this month I will be exhibiting my painting ‘Back to Padstow’ at the Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London. You can buy a limited edition print of the painting here I am really looking forward to getting back to exhibiting again and to get a chance toRead more…

A painting of The Standard on the High Line in New York City

A painting of The Standard on the High Line in New York City

You can buy a limited edition print of The Standard here In late 2019 just before the world went mad, I took a painting trip to New York City. It was a research expedition for studio paintings. This essentially meant visiting a series of locations and producing on the spot paintings, supported by photo referenceRead more…

Corfe Castle Dorset

Painting Corfe village and Castle in Dorset

You can buy a limited edition print of  Corfe Castle here In May, the lockdown eased a wee bit and I seized the first opportunity I could to get out and do a spot of painting. I wanted something within easy distance of Pilton where I live so I pulled out a map and studiedRead more…

Campo Santa Margherita Venice

A painting of A Venice Square to win in my next newsletter dated 15th-Jul-21

Win this original painting of Campo Santa Margherita, Venice worth £160. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of  Campo Santa Margherita  is 20cm x 20cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 15th July 2021. I look forward to yourRead more…

Painting post cards around Pilton in Somerset

Painting postcards around Pilton in Somerset

When the first lockdown hit, obviously I could not get out and about like I used to, so I had to come up with a solution that included a bit of exercise that might prevent me turning into a bit of an old hermit. My solution was to take up regular exercise and, to keepRead more…

Padstow painting in cornwall

A painting of Padstow in Cornwall

You can buy a limited edition print of the Padstow painting here I really enjoy marine painting, you get to see many aspects of life, landscape and seascape. With the town of Padstow, in Cornwall, you are treated to a cornucopia of each. My main aim for the painting trip was to visit St EnodocRead more…

Leadenhall Market painting

A painting of Leadenhall Market in The City of London

Last year a client contacted me to paint an anniversary present for his husband who he married in 2019. The wedding reception was at The Lamb Tavern in London’s covered Leadenhall Market and he wanted an interior scene of the market showing the pub exterior with him, his husband and their families and friends. A realRead more…

An allotment painting in Fonthill Bishop

Allotment painting in Fonthill Bishop

I was asked to paint a small allotment in the village of Fonthill Bishop. This modest village is about nine miles from the Wiltshire town of Warminster. It may go unnoticed but for the Fonthill Park Estate. Fonthill Park Estate In one form or another, the Fonthill Park Estate goes back to 1533 and from 1830Read more…

Wardour Street London painting

A painting of Wardour Street, London to win in my next newsletter dated 21st-Jan-21

Win this original painting of Wardour Street, London, worth £150. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of  Wardour street, London  is 21cm x 16cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 21st January 2020. I look forward to your signRead more…

Woodbridge Prep School Map combined

Illustrated Aerial Views Woodbridge School in Suffolk

“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” To me, this quote is the quote of 2020, we are living through a pandemic so businesses must quickly learn to adapt to the challenges of the ‘new normal’. In normal circumstances a school would hold open days to meet parents and potentialRead more…

Warren's Blacking Factory of Charles Dickens

Warren’s Blacking Factory, the first workplace of Charles Dickens

My normal process of work is to go on-site to begin initial drawings and watercolours of the scene in front of me. These visual notes are then used as a basis for the final painting. Earlier this year I was given a rather unusual commission. My client requested a scene that no longer exists.There is,Read more…

A painting of Worcester Cathedral

A painting of Worcester Cathedral to win in my next newsletter dated 21st-Dec-20

Win this original painting of Worcester Cathedral, worth £160. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of Worcester Cathedral  is 17cm x 23cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 21st December 2020. I look forward to your sign up inRead more…

Dylan Thomas' home Laugharne

Dylan Thomas tour, A visit to Laugharne, the home of the great Welsh poet

I first became interest in the Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, when I was about 17 or so. I think I heard a few things on the radio that piqued my interest. Thomas was essentially a poet who mused upon the everyday, the passing world. Simple day to day existence was his main subject, one inRead more…

Painting trip Dittisham for site

A painting trip and video in Dittisham in South Devon

Dittisham (locally pronounced Dit’sum) is in South Devon and near the mouth of the River Dart it is a fine ancient fishing port and real treat for painter and tourist alike. I have visited here previously when I lived in London. Then it was about 250 miles, which included the dreaded M25 motorway, nicknamed ‘theRead more…

Painting of Coach and Horses pub Barnes

A painting of A pub in Barnes to win in my next newsletter dated 26th-Nov-20

Win this original painting of The Coach and Horses pub in Barnes, worth £140. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of The Coach and Horses pub is 20cm x 15cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 26th  November 2020. IRead more…

A painting of Pilton Somerset

A painting of a house in Pilton Somerset

I get asked to work all over the country but, for this commission, I did not have to go far as it was in the village of Pilton, Somerset where I live. See the final painting here The property looks as though it began as a modest farmhouse that over the years was enlarged dependingRead more…

painting of Harrow on the Hill

A Painting of a Victorian house in Harrow on the Hill

I received an email a few months back, requesting that I paint a house in West Street, Harrow on the Hill. A bit of a trip down memory lane as I used to work in Harrow on the Hill years ago, so many of the streets are familiar. I used to frequent The Castle pubRead more…

Fournier street Spitalfields London

A painting of Fournier Street, London to win in my next newsletter dated 30th-July-20

Win this original painting of Five Fournier Street, in Spitalfields, London, worth £150. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of Five Fournier Street, London is 13cm x 21cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 30th July 2020. I lookRead more…

A painting tour on a bicycle

A small video painting tour on a bicycle around Somerset

  Although I do go on location to paint, much of my time is spent inside the studio so it’s extremely easy to become unfit, not to mention to pile-on the pounds. Consequently, to keep fit and mobile, I like to get out and cycle a few times a week. To be honest with you,Read more…

A painting of The Royal Exchange, London

A painting of The Royal Exchange to win in my next newsletter dated 30th-May-20

Win this original painting of The Royal Exchange, worth £150. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of The Royal Exchange, London is 21cm x 18cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 30th May 2020. I look forward to yourRead more…

The Times Newspaper article on artists painting houses

An article in The Times Newspaper on my paintings of houses

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Lisa Grainger of The Times newspaper. Lisa explained that she was writing a feature about artists who take commissions on painting houses and requested that I contribute.  I really enjoy doing house portraits, to me, they are not just straight architectural images, they are about the historyRead more…

Covid 19 after Lockdown sheet

Covid-19 ‘Things to do when we can meet again!’ download sheet

As I type, we are right in the middle of the Covid-19 lock-down and it is all feeling very strange as it must for you too. I cant see my family, I can’t go to any locations to paint as I normally do, and I can’t even go to my local pub for a beerRead more…

Port Isaac painting in watercolour

A Port Isaac painting to win in my next newsletter dated 17th-Apr-20

Win this original painting of Port Isaac, Cornwall, worth £120. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of Port Isaac, Cornwall is 14cm x 21cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 17th April 2020. I look forward to your signRead more…

A FREE video to help you take up drawing & painting at home and on a budget

A FREE video to help you take up drawing & painting at home on a budget

Please share if you feel it would be of use to another   Discover a new world inside. As a painter, much of my life is spent in ‘self-isolation’ anyway so its not much different for me. But for those of you getting bored or in need of some creative distraction, I have put thisRead more…

Review of Liam O'Farrell

A review of my paintings by the ‘MAKING A MARK’ website

Whilst browsing the internet a short while ago and I was surprised to see my work being singled out for praise in a review by the ‘MAKING A MARK’ website. The review featured my painting of the Tate and Lyle Sugar Refinery shown at the NEAC Annual Exhibition 2019.  As far as I know thereRead more…

Painting of Port Isaac Cornwall

A painting of Port Isaac in North Cornwall

A client packed me off to Port Isaac in North Cornwall to paint the view across the harbour from Rosearrock Hill. I love Port Isaac so I was looking forward to it, marking out a day or two to get down there and complete the job. I would also paint a few other scenes tooRead more…

painting of Thomas Hardy's Cottage

Thomas Hardy’s Cottage painting to win in my next newsletter on 28th-Feb-2020

Win this original painting of Thomas Hardy’s Cottage, worth £120. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw This watercolour preparation study of Thomas Hardy’s Cottage is 18cm x 23cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 28th February 2020. I look forward to your signRead more…

Painting of Highworth High Street

A painting of Highworth High Street, Wiltshire

I have learnt that everywhere, no matter how small or prepossessing, has something unique about it. So, on investigation, I have discovered that Highworth is the highest town in the county of Wiltshire! I really enjoyed this commission and was keen to do a blog on the town. OK, it’s mentioned in the Doomsday bookRead more…

Painting of Carhenge Glastonbury Festival

A painting day at Carhenge, Glastonbury Festival

By kind permission, I visited the Glastonbury festival Carhenge storage area to do a bit of painting. Here is where they store the dystopian sculptures, derelict aircraft and vehicles while the festival is not running. You can buy a limited edition print of the painting here I’m a bit of a fan of engineering so painting derelict carsRead more…

Painting of St Enodoc church Cornwall

St Enodoc Church, Cornwall painting to win in my next newsletter on 29th-Jan-2020

Win this original painting of St Enodoc Church, Cornwall, worth £190. Sign up to my newsletter to enter the free draw   This watercolour preparation study of St Enodoc Church, Cornwall is 29cm x 17cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 29th January 2020. I look forward toRead more…

Oil painting of an allotment

An allotment painting in Pilton Somerset

I mentioned in previous newsletter that I took a painting trip to New York for a week. It was a tremendous experience, but when I got home I was very much in need of a bit or rural! To indulge myself, I took my oil painting easel down to the allotments here in the villageRead more…

A painting of Mousehole Cornwall

A painting of Mousehole in Cornwall

Mousehole is a small fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall which the Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, described as “the loveliest village in England”. He must have thought so as he spent his honeymoon in Mousehole. At a pub. So no surprises there. You can buy a limited edition print of the painting hereRead more…

A painting of Zennor in Cornwall

Win a Painting of Zennor in Cornwall, in my next newsletter on 19th-Dec-2019

Sign up to my newsletter and you will be able to enter the free draw to win this original painting of Zennor, Cornwall, worth £190. This watercolour preparation study of  Zennor in Cornwall is 29cm x 13cm signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 19th December 2019. I lookRead more…

Chipping Campden St James Church Painting

A Painting of Chipping Campden in The Cotswolds

During the summer I got a commission to go and paint a scene in Chipping Campden in The Cotswolds. I used to visit Chipping Campden regularly about ten years ago as I exhibited in the village of Broadway just up the road. I was looking forward to stopping by again to push a bit ofRead more…

painting of The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford

Win a Painting of The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford in my next newsletter on 14th-Nov-2019

Sign up to my newsletter and you will be able to enter the free draw to win this original painting of The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford, worth £140. This watercolour preparation study of Radcliffe Camera, Oxford is 24cm x 18cm, signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 14th November 2019.Read more…

A painting of Worcester Cathedral

A painting of Worcester Cathedral

You can buy a limited edition print of the painting here On this sunny morning I had set up my portable easel on the banks of the river Severn in Worcester. Behind me was the Worcestershire Cricket ground, where I could hear the popping of the cricket balls as the players practiced in the nets. In frontRead more…

Painting of Greenwich Park London

Win a Painting of Greenwich, London in my next newsletter on 5th-Sept-2019

Sign up to my newsletter and you will be able to enter the free draw to win this original painting of Greenwich, London, worth £110. This watercolour preparation study of Greenwich, London is 16cm x 18cm, signed, and mounted on acid-free card. The newsletter will be sent out on the 5th September 2019. I lookRead more…

Painting of the Carpenters Arms London

A painting of The Carpenters Arms Pub in Fitzrovia, London

In March I was asked to paint a picture for a 50th birthday party. The subject of the painting was venue for the party, namely The Carpenters Arms pub in Fitzrovia, London. I was exhibiting at The Mall Galleries so I had an opportunity to get the initial visual just before a Private View onRead more…