Churchyard in Burnham Market
Posted: September 17, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Big Sky Art, Burnham Market, church painting, North Norfolk, The White House Inn, watercolour 23 CommentsAfter our chilly day in Wells-next-the-Sea, the wind died down for us and we had a most productive morning sketching in the churchyard at St. Mary’s Church in Burnham Market. We chose this view of the building primarily because it was so warm in that spot, but I’m never really sure what the protocol is for sketching in cemeteries. I’m always careful not to stand on top of a burial plot and not to touch the headstones. I guess each cemetery is different. This was a popular place for dog walkers and others out for a stroll, and even though I was sure a caretaker would ask us to leave, it never happened.
The rhythm of the overlapping headstones was what I found most fascinating about this scene. I painted them with a variety of dark tones, mostly using Umber, Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue to get a range of earthy and mossy darks, and I used a bit of splatter too, for added texture.
So, so Wonderful!!!!!!
Your sketches and paintings ALWAYS inspire me:)
Love!
Lori, thank you!
I think one reason to visit England is to just visit the historical churches and graveyards! This is really nice and does capture that essence. Colors, lines, composition are so pleasing.
Thanks Naomi. There were indeed so many historical places to sketch. Even in this small town I could have filled a sketchbook with interesting spots.
A lovely piece–you did a wonderful job getting the feeling of an old church yard.
Thanks so much Robyn.
I love this. Graveyards are usually dreary places, but this one is filled with light.
thanks for having a look.
Gosh, I never thought of protocol for sketching in a cemetery. I think what you do is reverent and good.
Thank you Lois.
That is so wonderful
Thanks very much Cherry.
Love the way you did the stonework!
Thanks Karen. I get a lot of practice painting stone in Montreal.
Such a nice painting. The respect you showed the subject comes through.
Denise
Thank you Denise.
Love your style and the way you captured the age of the headstones. I’m curious about your process, do you ink first, or after you paint?
Thanks so much Carrie. In answer to your question, I do the ink first. I love that black ink line on white paper. Also, having that structure makes the watercolour easier to complete. If I do the watercolour first, I just end up outlining the watercolour. Hope that helps.
I love it..reminds me of here in a way.I agree the stonework is to faint .
It looks a lot like here. I was thinking that too.
It sparkles 🙂
Thanks Chris!
Lovely job on the church as well as the headstones. I’ve skeched in cemeteries quite a few times, and I think as long as you are respectful nobody would mind. I sketched in one behind a church and the pastor came out to see the sketches and talk about the headstones. He didn’t mind that we were there at all.