Showing posts with label Essex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essex. Show all posts

Wednesday 10 July 2013

The Bull Theydon Bois Print

Theydon Bois is a little village right on the fringes of Epping Forest - a former Royal forest. The Bull has long stood as a public house, and here my pen and marker drawing pictures it in the winter snow.

Theydon Bois Bull
The Bull, Theydon Bois

Buy print
The Bull ,Theydon Bois, Essex.
Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on Bockingford 190gsm watercolour paper £14.99
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2013  

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Sketch of The Sail Lofts, Tollesbury

I sketched these Grade II listed Sail Lofts in Woodrolfe Road whilst visiting Tollesbury in Essex. They are hard to miss as you approach the marina along Woodrolfe Road, and have a charm all of their own. I should imagine it would keep an exterior painter very busy during a lifetime (as well as a carpenter), but what a lovely nest of lofts they are.

Tollesbury Parish Council's website tells us that the "Tollesbury Sail Lofts were built c.1900 to serve the local fishing fleet and probably the great J class yachts which were owned by wealthy Edwardians and skippered around the Mediterranean by men from Tollesbury. The most well known of these yachts, 'Flying' was entered by Tommy Sopwith in the Americas Cup."

Sail Lofts at Tollesbury
Tollesbury Sail Lofts


Buy pencil sketch print or original
Original sketch of Sale Lofts, Tollesbury, Essex  
Hand signed A4 Print of pencil sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 13.5" x 10" pencil sketch on 140lb watercolour paper £55
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012   

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Sunday 30 June 2013

Tollesbury drawings

Visiting Tollesbury and ambling through the apparent disorder of moorings and boats in the sunshine is a pure joy.

There is the bright red Lightship (Trinity) which seems to be on the horizon wherever your vantage point.

There's also the old weather-beaten sheds placed here and there and the Marina full of boats and their rigging tapping in the wind. A must visit as the stroll to the lightship is most pleasant across Woodrolfe Creek and the marshes.

Tollesbury boat shed drawing


Buy Sketch print or original

Original drawing of old boat shed, Tollesbury, Essex  
Hand signed A4 Print of pencil sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 13.5" x 10" pencil sketch on 140lb watercolour paper £55
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  




Trinity Lightboat Tollesbury
The Trinity Lightboat, Tollesbury, Essex Print


Buy Original or Print


Original drawing of the Lightship, Tollesbury, Essex  
Hand signed A4 Print of pencil and ink sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 13.5" x 10" pencil and ink sketch on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Drawing of Cressing Temple Barns

Cressing Temple

The two 13th Century barns at Cressing Temple, Essex were host to an Antiques and Collectors fair last weekend and I took the opportunity to visit and look at all the curios and antiques on offer. The barns are truly magnificent and a worthy setting for this type of event.

My pen, wash and pencil drawing takes in the two barns, fresh in spring sunshine and perhaps the first decent bathing of sunshine for a good few months. The scale is impressive - note the people I have penned in in my painting. Barley Barn (c.1205) is to the left of the illustration and the Wheat Barn is to the right (c.1257).

The Tudor walled garden is next on my list of Essex jewels that deserve some time spent in them with sketchpad. Watch this space and do get down there for yourselves. The site has been here since 1137 so why wait any longer? The Barns are located Witham and Braintree.



cressingtemple
Drawing of Cressing Temple Barns

Buy original artwork or print


Original drawing of Cressing Temple Barns, Essex Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 13.5" x 10" pen, ink and watercolour on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012     

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!


Thursday 11 April 2013

Drawing of St Giles, Langford, Essex

Langford Essex
St Giles Church Langford Essex

St Giles Church in Langford

The subject for my drawing is the beautiful St. Giles Church in the village of Langford, near Maldon in Essex. I have the double-pleasure of not only being introduced to it for the first time and capturing its beauty, but next year I am honoured to be a best man to a close friend within its 11-12th Century walls. I am really looking forward to the build up to the day.

My late afternoon illustration captures the low sun's light cutting across the grounds, with the mature trees casting their long finger-like shadows across the roads that pass two sides of the Church.

The church is believed to be Early Norman construction, and roman artifacts have been discovered on the site too.



Buy print


Original drawing of St Giles, Essex
Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!



Monday 8 April 2013

Local Greetings Cards

We have pleasure in announcing the launch of a range of 4 quality local greetings cards.

The first local greetings cards designs to be available as greetings cards are of Tiptree Windmill, The Jam Factory Tiptree), Maldon Promenade, and The Hythe (Maldon).

The cards are an impressive size, measuring 9x5.5 inches (just under standard UK letter size so use a standard stamp). They are printed on quality stiff white card and are blank inside for your own personal geeting. The greetings cards come with a white matching envelope in cellophane.

At present the greetings cards are available from the Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Jam Shop, and the Cheap Shop in Church Road Tiptree. Other retailers will be announced shortly!

Buy Here

Greetings Cards
Essex Greetings Cards

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Drawing of 'The Chantry' in Billericay

Chantry House Billericay England
Drawing of Chantry House, Billericay

I have been told that Chantry House is Billericay's oldest building and dates back to 1510 (not 1501 as stated on the building). It was from this building that the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to settle in America Aboard the 'Mayflower'.

I recently walked with my wife the length of Billericay High Street on a bright but bitter spring day and visited all my old haunts that where I played as boy. We had a rather nice coffee in the little teashop in 'Slipped Discs' next door.

It was nice to finally sketch and pay homage to such an old building that has been ever-present on the High Street for centuries and seen many generations stroll past it's doors.

I hope you like my drawing and urge you to visit sometime. Prints available soon.


Buy original or print
Original drawing of The Chantry, Billericay Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen, ink and watercolour on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012    

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!








The Chantry in the 1930s

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Billericay - 30 years on

I thought it might be fun to look back and see how the views I have illustrated have changed in the past 30 years in Billericay.

Not surprisingly, not a lot is my verdict. It was great walking the streets where I spent my childhood. I enjoyed an excellent coffee in the cafe/record shop next to the 'Chantry'. And so, I decided as my next work, to sketch the oldest building in Billericay. The 'Chantry' dates back to 1510 and is the place from which the Pilgrim Fathers embarked to settle in North America.

Keep watching and all the best to everyone in Billericay & the USA :-)












See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Monday 4 March 2013

Drawing of St Peters Church, Great Totham

Drawing Great Totham
St Marys Church, Great Totham

Drawing of St Peters Great Totham


St Peters Church in Great Totham, Essex is tucked away down a country lane on a S-bend so it's quite the pleasant surprise when you stumble upon it. Nestled between Maldon and Tiptree this church dates back to Norman times. The church is rich with character and is just as beautiful and historical inside.

The Church has special significance as we chose this Church for our wedding in May 2010 and have special memories of that special day. I drew a pencil sketch of it to grace our wedding invitations and order of service, so this is the second illustration of St Peters Church I have penned.

Hope you like my drawing this quintessentially English Church. It's worth a visit at anytime and if you are a local, well worth supporting. I have used pencil and ink and finished with pen and sharpie marker for my drawing.


Please Choose drawing or print
Original drawing of St Peters, Great Totham Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen, ink and watercolour on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012   

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Monday 28 January 2013

Drawing of Maldon and its waterfront

Maldon Essex drawing
Drawing of Maldon, Essex

My Drawing of Maldon and its waterfront

New year's day 2013 was a bright, clear, slightly chilly morning in Essex.

My wife and I decided to take a stroll from Heybridge into Maldon and along the promenade. Beauty was everywhere. Morris dancers dance and struck sticks outside the Queen's, the smell of chimneys laced the air and seabirds were flying in tighly packed groups like starlings are famed for, each sharp turn flashing white as the sun caught their wing surfaces. Hundreds of people were walking their dogs and strolling with their families to grab some post-Christmas fresh air and enjoy the free scenery. Beautiful.

I caught this view (how could one miss it?) looking back at the Hythe over the lazy curve of the Blackwater estuary. The drawing can be seen during its creation in time lapse here.

You must visit Maldon and enjoy for yourselves!


Please Choose drawing or original
Original drawing of Maldon, Essex
Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen, ink and watercolour on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Monday 24 December 2012

Drawing of Coggeshall

Coggeshall Essex
Coggeshall Essex

Drawing of Coggeshall

Happy Christmas to my followers and there's nothing more festive than a drawing of a lit Christmas tree in the heart of timeless English village. I love this spot looking up Stoneham Street from Market Hill in Coggeshall, Essex. There is the famous Baumann's Restaurant for fine dining to the right and an amazing tea room next to the clock tower serving delicious home made cakes to the left.


Please Choose

Original drawing of Coggeshall, Essex
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink drawing on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen and ink drawing on 140lb watercolour paper NOW SOLD
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012 

Sunday 16 December 2012

Drawing of Railway Tavern Kelvedon

Kelvedon Essex
Railway Tavern Kelvedon

The drawing depicts the Railway Tavern in the village of Kelvedon, Essex, a popular pub on the banks of the river Blackwater next to an old road bridge that leads up Feering Hill. The Tavern was built in 1876 to serve the the railway. The pub greets you with an open fire in winter, and in summer, the diners eat good honest and delicious British food bathed in sunshine outside on the riverbank where the ducks congregate. If you pop by do say hello to Barry, the landlord, or his wife Sue - they are impeccable hosts, and Barry a fellow Spurs supporter.

In the foreground of my pen and ink drawing is an old 'fingerpost' road sign of the type that were introduced in 1921 and must have escaped being taken down during WWII to stop the Germans making easy progress across East Anglia. It is a reminder of when Kelvedon's busy narrow high street (B1024) was in fact the A12! At the road sign's base are flower beds tended to by local well-wishers and a contribution, in part I am sure, of Kelvedon being voted  'Essex's Best Kept Village' in its class for two years running.


Please Choose illustration
Original drawing of RAILWAY TAVERN, KELVEDON, ESSEX
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink drawing on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen and ink drawing on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012 

Monday 10 December 2012

Drawing of Thaxted

Thaxted Essex drawing
Thaxted Essex

So beautiful. In 2000 I very nearly bought a cottage in Orange Street, off of Town Street, Thaxted in Essex. My study looks up the rise of Town Street towards Watling Steet, and from this view you can see why I was drawn to it.

The drawing of Thaxted looks up towards our focal point, Thaxted Guild Hall dating from c.1450, and Parish Church of St.John pointing its slim tower into the heavens. Close by id Thaxted's Windmill, doubtless I will illustrate at some point so watch these pages. Its name is Old English for "place where thatch was got.

You can almost hear the music of Gustav Holst, a long term resident of "The Manse', Town Street, Thaxted when you dwell close by. His house is in the left middle ground of my drawing. No doubt Gustav drew inspiration from Thaxted's and Essex's beauty.


Please choose original drawing or hand signed print:



Drawing of Town Street, Thaxted, Essex
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink drawing on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen and ink drawing on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

Monday 26 November 2012

Drawing of The Essex Rose in Dedham

Dedham Essex drawing
The Essex Rose, Dedham

A lovely village in northeast Essex, Dedham is situated on the River Stour right on the border of Essex and Suffolk in the heart of Constable country.

My drawing of The Essex Rose in Dedham is sketched early afternoon in winter when shadows are already long, but the air is clear and crisp.

We look with Brook Street behind, all the way up the High Street. Centre in my pen and ink illustration is of the bustling 'Essex Rose' Tea Room run by Wilkin & Sons (of Tiptree). To the left in shadow is Dedham Parish Church's tall and imposing tower; only at this time of year can you see through the trees from this viewpoint.

Well worth a visit to illustrate :-)


Please choose original drawing or hand signed print:



Drawing of Dedham High Street, Essex
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink drawing on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen and ink drawing on 140lb watercolour paper £125
The Art of England
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Drawing of The George Hotel Colchester

Colchester Essex drawing
The George Colchester

It was a day to remember. Remembrance Day 2012, and on a Sunday.

My son and countless other cadets, Paras, musicians and brave veterans filled the heart of Colchester, Essex, for a impressive parade and service along the High Street, finishing at the war memorial at the Castle. The sun beamed down on a clear but chilly day.

During the build up and after the service we enjoyed a pint in the George (Hotel), which has long dominated the High Street, and we sat in the 15th century beamed lounge warmed by a crackling fire, with uniformed servicemen both new and old stood at the bar. Perfect and so very British. And so to my drawing.

This scene I have drawn looks up Colchester High Street's gentle hill passing the Town Hall and on into the far distance to the Water Tower. The pleasure of sketching is that artistic license can remove the cars and taxis, but happily on this day, scores of yellow cones had completed this task for me. Save four WWII Willys Jeeps and a justifiably proud population, Colchester High Street was totally bare.

To finish:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Please choose original drawing or hand signed print:


Illustration of The George, Colchester, Essex
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink illustration on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen and ink illustration on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Drawing of Maldon

Maldon Essex drawing
The Promenade Maldon Essex

Maldon in Essex , famous for it's Sea Salt, attracts countless visitors to its door. The draw of a pretty high street full of independent shops, pubs dotted on every corner, Hythe Quay and Promenade Park together make for an irresistible combination of tourist attractions in one place. And illustration!

Promenade Park hosts all manner of events throughout the year and the Splash Park is a hit with the kids during the hot summer months.

My drawing is of Promenade Park's ornamental lake with its Swans, catching the reflection of St Mary's Church (origins as far back as the Saxons) atop the hill, and the Queen's Head can just been seen to the far right, masts popping skyward, and no doubt full of patrons enjoying the company of friends, whilst seagulls soar, and skippers ready their boats. If you are lucky you might just catch a Thames Barge.

If you've never been, go. You won't be disappointed.


Please choose original drawing or hand signed print:
Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink illustration on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen and ink illustration on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012 

Monday 5 November 2012

Charming Coggeshall - illustration

Coggeshall Essex art drawing
St Peters Coggeshall

The subject for my illustration is the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula (St. Peter in chains) - a beautiful and imposing Church that deceives the eye as far as perception of scale. I always find it grows largers as you approach it. 

It is Nestled in the Essex Village of Coggeshall in its present form since the 1500's it is home to services, and fayres.

The village of Coggeshall is a beautiful place with a handful of narrow streets and brightly painted picture postcard houses and cottages and is a joy to stroll around and happen upon the little independent shops and tea rooms that are dotted here and there. Always worth a visit - and so too Baumann's Brasserie - a fine place to dine while you are there!

My ambition is to someday live here.



Please Choose
Illustration of St Peter ad Vincula, Coggeshall, Essex
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink illustration on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen and ink illustration on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012 

Drawing of Tiptree WIlkins & Sons Jam Factory

Tiptree Essex drawing
Tiptree

Wilkin & Sons Ltd - of 'Tiptree' jam fame - are situated on the main road of the village of Tiptree adjacent to Factory corner. Her Majesty The Queen recently passed through the hallowed gates topped with her royal warrant in 2010 to mark Wilkin & Sons' 125 anniversary. I have had the good pleasure of presenting an illustration to, and meeting, Peter Wilkin - the great grandson of the founder and a complete English gentleman if you ever met one.

From my house some half a mile away (as the wind blows) the scent of sweet Jam from the tall chimneys is carried on any North Easterly breezes and is a pleasant aroma that always surprises when returning home or setting out for the day. The factory hooter can also be heard marking the important times during the jam making day.

For me there is something of the Roald Dahl's fictional Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory about these main gates and I can't recall seeing any workers enter or leave by these gates. The wonderfully ornamental ironwork twists and turns and its manufacture is a skill from a bygone age, as are their famous jams and preserves.

This drawing is set as the low Autumnal sunshine beams through the ironwork gates, much as the glint of gold always beams from of a box of opened treasure at the movies.


Please choose original drawing or hand signed print:

Wilkin & Sons Ltd, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Essex
Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on Bockingford 190gsm watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12' x 9" pen and marker sketch on 140lb water colour paper £125
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Prittlewell - First Pen & Ink


Prittlewell Southend Essex
Prittlewell Essex

Fresh from Billericay School I studied at Southend-on-Sea College of Art & Technology in Carnarvon Road.

My first drawing teacher was a lovely white bearded illustrator by the name of Reg Gray. He was a sweet natured man, quiet and patient. His ability to draw creatures, naming bones and muscle groups that held them together and make them function amazed me. Every flick of his pencil seemed to have purpose and description. Brilliant. His knowledge of living creatures knew no bounds. Since the advent of the internet many years later I have discovered that he illustrated some of the comics and books that I enjoyed so much, but I never knew at the time which is a shame.

It was on a outdoors drawing expedition of Reg's that I sketched this picture at the tender age of 17 years old. It was probably the first time I drew a building with dip pen and ink looking through my sketchbook. St Mary's, Prittlewell, was a 5 minute walk from the college and I can tell from my sketch it was a sunny day. I remember being pleased with the result and pen and ink became a favourite technique.

Thanks Reg for any ability or technique that rubbed off on me, wherever you are. Respect.



Please Choose
St Mary's Prittlewell, Essex
Hand signed A4 Print of pen sketch on Bockingford 190gsm watercolour paper £14.99
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012 

Thursday 25 October 2012

Kings Head Chigwell Illustration

Kings Head Chigwell painting
Kings Head Chigwell


This scene I illustrated, is possibly the most famous 'Ye Olde Kings Head' ever. 

Or as I like to call it 'The Old Kings Head' in Chigwell, Essex which is said by many to be none other than the inspiration for the Maypole Inn in Charles Dickens' Barnaby Rudge.

Whether that's true (or fiction if you'll forgive the pun), it has stood relatively unchanged for hundreds of years and stands as a constant landmark in Chigwell. It now can boast an (even more?) famous owner who lives close by - our very own Lord Sugar. Beat that Charles.

Pictured at Christmas time it is one of my favourite quintessentially English Pubs.

The original black and white pen illustration for sale on request. Please enquire!


Please Choose

Ye Olde Kings Head, High Road Chigwell,  Essex.
Hand signed and annotated A4 Print of pen and ink illustration on cartridge paper £14.99
Original black and white pen illustration (approx A3) £125
© Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012