Robert Brindley's Blog

Sheriff Hutton Art Club 29th November 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:50:00 +0000

Many thanks to all who attended the Workshop, below is the painting as it was at the end of the demonstation.

I spent about 30 minutes to complete the painting by softening the wave forms & adding highlights with small touches of white gouache, tinted with Cerulean Blue & Cobalt Violet. The sky was reworked, adding the clouds using Cobalt Blue plus a touch of Light Red.

I hope you found the demonstration useful & look forward to seeing you again soon.

The Priory Art Club 24th November 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:22:00 +0000

It was good to see you all again on Monday night.

This is the finished painting after I added a further 'warmer' wash to the top, right hand corner of the sky, using Cobalt Violet & Raw Sienna.

(Click on the painting to view a larger image).
Please contact me with any queries.

Christmas is coming!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:16:00 +0000

I'll be holding an 'Open Studio' on the weekend of the

6th & 7th December, 10am to 4pm.
There'll be a good range of paintings, prints, cards & gift vouchers, just in case you want to treat yourself, or someone else!

Come & join us for a glass of FIZZ to get the festive season started!

Pickering Art Society Demonstration 19th November 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:23:00 +0000

Many thanks to everyone for making me so welcome last night.
This is how the painting looked when I left you.

The following alterations were made this morning:

The sky was rewet with pure water and Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue & Cobalt Violet added to the top section.

A mix of Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Violet plus Raw Sienna was added to the bottom of the sky, creating a hazy bank of clouds.
Further 'darks' were added to the rocks, using Burnt Sienna plus Ultramarine & more texture to the beach.

Here is the finished painting.

Follow this link & click on the painting to view a larger image.
If you would like to ask any thing, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Hope to see you all again soon.

Painting Workshop at Driffield, 8th November 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:14:00 +0000

To all who attended the workshop at Nafferton on Saturday, many thanks for making me so welcome.
I completed the demonstration painting in the following way:

Darkened the tones of the cottage with a wash of Ultramarine Blue plus Permanent Magenta.

Further developed the hedges, with washes of Raw Sienna & Cobalt Blue and Raw Umber & Ultramarine Blue.

Added darker washes to the moor behind the cottage using Cobalt Violet & Cobalt Blue

Softened the edges along the track & introduced pale washes of Cobalt Violet, Cobalt Blue & Raw Sienna over it.

Added the fence, gates & telegraph pole details.

Please contact me if you have any queries.
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Bonfire Night! 5th November 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:47:00 +0000

We all know that Bonfire Night celebrates the foiling of the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 by a Guy Fawkes & other Catholic conspirators, but did you know that the celebration was compulsory, by Royal Decree, until 1859?

Enjoy!!

Driffield Art Club - Monday 20th October 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Many thanks to all who attended Driffield Art Club on Monday night.

This is the finished Pastel painting, please contact me if you have any queries.

The Moorings / Corfu Old Town

Looking forward to meeting with you again at the 8th November Workshop.

The Pheonix Art Club 9th October 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:31:00 +0000

Thank you for making me so welcome on Thursday afternoon.

Here is the finished Watercolour painting entitled "Between Showers, Sandsend Beach"

Please contact me if you have any queries, hope to see you all again soon.

The Great North Run Sunday 5th October 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:29:00 +0000

Best wishes to all taking part in the Great North Run.
Fingers crossed for a fine day!!

Horsforth Art Society 1st October 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:24:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone last night at the Horsforth Art Society for making my visit such a pleasurable one.

As promised, Below you can see the watercolour painting as it was when I left & the completed painting after I having worked on it today.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Liz & I hope to see you all again in the near future.

Plein-Air Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:35:00 +0000

The much improved weather towards the end of last week & over the weekend, encouraged a burst of plein-air painting along the coastline.

Friday took me to my favourite beach at Sandsend, where I completed these two watercolour sketches looking towards Whitby.

On Saturday I visited Staithes & completed this watercolour & acrylic painting, entitled "High Aspect, Staithes"

This painting was executed from an elevated viewpoint in glorious sunshine.

Sunday began with an early 'sunny' start, once again at Sandsend, where this 8" x 16" oil was completed in rapidly deteriorating light!! I hope I managed to capture the light, somewhere between the two extremes!

Oh the joy of the British weather!!

Residential Painting Workshop 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:18:00 +0000

After enjoying myself so much on this year's residential 'Painting Workhop' in Staithes, I'm happy to say I will be tutoring another next year.
The dates for the 3 day Workshop are Friday 17th July to Sunday 19th July inclusive.

If you would like more information, please contact Al Mines by telephone on +44 1947 841 840 or by email

I'm really looking forward to it, hope to see you there!

Quote of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:39:00 +0000

"A man who works with his hands is a labourer

A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman

But a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist"

Author unknown, but kindly sent by Mr Baxter.

If you have any favourite quotes, please email them & we can add them to our 'Quotation Library'

NEW......... Online Shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:12:00 +0000

I'm pleased to say that I've just opened an 'Online Shop' on my website.
As well as Limited Edition prints, there is now a selection of original paintings, gift vouchers & greetings cards to buy.

Please click on this link to view

Residential Workshop at Staithes 17th to 20th July 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:51:00 +0000

Many thanks to all who attended the Workshop at Staithes over the weekend, not forgetting Pete of course!
I had a wonderful time, one I shall definitely remember.

These are some of the completed paintings, hope to see you all again soon.

To view in a larger format, please follow this link

Wyedale Hall Demonstration 14th July 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:30:00 +0000

Many thanks for inviting me to give an Oil painting demonstration last monday. I really enjoyed your company & the interest everyone showed.

This is the completed painting

When I got the painting back in the studio I did the following:

- Added a little more detail to the cliffs by introducing more 'fissures' & highlights.

- Added more resolution to the cliff reflections.

- Increased highlights to the breaking waves.
To view a larger version of the painting, please click on the image

As always, if you would like to ask anything or comment, please do.

Hope to see you again.

Willington Art Group 10th July 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:03:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone who attended the Workshop yesterday, I really enjoyed your company. The completed painting is shown below:

I decided to leave the sky exactly as it was, creating a 'moody feel' to the painting.

The breaking waves & light on the sea, were worked on using white Gouache tinted with Cerulean Blue & Raw Sienna.

A little 'dry brushwork' was used on the background sea to create a slightly hazy atmosphere.

(Click on the image to view a larger version of this painting on the 'Recent Additions' page of my site.)

Should you have any queries, please get in touch.

Residential Course, Higham Hall, The Lake District

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:25:00 +0000

Thank you to the York Group of Artists who invited me to Tutor their group at Higham Hall in the Lake District, last week.

I had a really enjoyable time in your company & hope you are pleased with the work you produced?

I Hope to be able to meet with you all again in the future.

Painting Trip in Holland

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:12:00 +0000

I have just spent four wonderful days with another four members of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, sailing from Heeg in Holland around the Ijsselmeer (inland sea).

Our generous hosts, Janette & Wieger Van Brue, from the De Scheepskamer Van Heeg Gallery, sailed the barge & made sure we never went hungry!!

During the trip we were accompanied by journalists from National & Local press, Radio & TV and several prestigious magazines, which has provided great advertising for the R.S.M.A.
Click here to view video

It was a wonderful experience, with plenty of paintings been produced.

An exhibition of our work will be held at the De Scheepskamer Van Heeg Gallery, in Heeg April 2009.

Gift Vouchers

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Stuck for present ideas?

Gift Vouchers are available for purchase from my website just contact me to let me know the value you require & I'll do the rest.

The voucher will be sent next day, by 1st Class Post, either to yourself, or directly to the recipient, personalising it for the occasion.

The Gift Vouchers will be 203mm x 150mm (A5) depicting one of my paintings & where possible, you can chose the image from one of the paintings shown in the Gallery.

If you'd like to place an order or would like more information, please contact me.

Father's Day 15th June 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:50:00 +0000

Unlike Mother's Day, Father’s Day does not have a long standing tradition, hardly a 100 years in fact. It was the creation of an American woman called Sonora Dodd of Washigton State.

Her father, William Smart, was a veteran of the US Civil War whos wife died when their sixth child was born. He never remarried & brought up the children on his own on a rural farm in Eastern Washington State.

As Sonora grew up, she realised just how much her father had given up for her & her brothers & sisters and whilst listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909 she had the idea for a equivalent Father’s Day celebration.

A year later on her father’s birthday, 19th June, the family celebrated the first Father’s Day.

Through her immense efforts, the then President, Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, openly supported the idea of a national Father’s Day in the USA. However it was not until over 40 years later that it became official.

Today Father's Day is celebrated in USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Friday the 13th June, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:59:00 +0000

Thirteen Facts about Friday the 13th:

1. The fear of Friday 13th is called:- Paraskavedekatriaphobia

2. The modern reason for our superstition is said to come from Friday October the 13th, 1307. On this date, the Pope of the church in Rome in conjunction with the King of France, carried out a secret death warrant against "the Knights Templar". The Templars were executed as heretics, removing the power they had held for so long. There Grand Master, Jacques DeMolay, was arrested and before he was killed, was tortured and crucified.

3. Is considered a day of bad luck in English, French & Portuguese speaking countries around the world, as well as in Austria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Bulgaria, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia & the Philippines.

4. The origin of the fear of Friday the 13th, is said to date back to Nordic Mythology.

5. In Greece, Rommania & Spanish speaking countries, it's Tuesday the 13th that's considered unlucky, whereas in Italy it's Friday the 17th!

6. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, more than 67 million people are affected by a fear of this day.

7. A British Medical Journal British study has shown that there is a significant increase in traffic-related accidents on Fridays the 13th.

8. This year (2008) has only one Friday the 13th, but 2009 will have 3, in February, March & November.

9. Both Margaret Thatcher & Fidel Castro were born on Friday the 13th, (October 1925 & August 1926 respectively)

10. Certain ocean liners will be held in dock until after midnight to appease passenger's fears on Friday the 13th.

11. Friday was the common day for people to be hanged in the past & there were 13 steps up to the gallows.

12. The remake of the film 'Friday the 13th' is planned for release on Friday 13th 2009.

13. The asteroid 99942 Apophis will make its close encounter on Friday, April 13th 2029.

The Meaning of Sayings (9)

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:50:00 +0000

To Flog A Dead Horse

Meaning, to waste time & energy on something which will have a negative outcome.

Thankfully this 'saying' has nothing to do with beating dead animals!!! It's origin is in the 'Horse Latitudes' 30 degrees either side of the equator, where the subsiding dry air & high pressure results in weak winds.

As the tall ships relied on strong winds, they slowed considerably or even stalled altogether, often taking months to pass through the 'Horse Latitudes'.

The advance wages given to sailors at the time of signing on were known as the 'Dead Horse' & by the time a ship had passed through the Horse Latitudes, these would have been worked off.
So, as sailors were paid by the day, a slow passage was to their benefit with no incentive to make much effort, therefore this period of slow progress in mid ocean became known as 'flogging the dead horse'.

Thank you!!

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:06:00 +0000

Well it's come to an end again and Liz & myself would like to thank everyone who visited us at Sneaton Castle over the weekend for my Annual Exhibition.
It was lovely to see old friends & make new acquaintances.
Thank you once again for your support & for making 2008 a successful exhibition, hope to see everyone again next year, if not before?

Annual Exhibition 24th to 26th May 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Brindley RSMA) — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:27:00 +0000

Well, it's that time again, my Annual Exhibition is here!!!

As last year, the exhibition will be held at Sneaton Castle, a wonderful venue, great architecture and lovely grounds.

If you would like to view some of the paintings to be included in the show, please visit the Exhibition page on my website.

There will be a Preview on Friday night (23rd), if you'd like to join us, contact me.

Hope to see you there?