IBBAS Paint Out Competition 2019

This Competition deserves better exposure. The IBBAS… Inspired By Becker Art Society promotes the work of the local artist Harry Becker 1865 – 1928. He exhibited along side Sisley and deserves better recognition for his work which exhibits both Impressionist elements and innovative experimentation.  He obviously loved both the countryside and country people, as evidenced in his sketches, lithographs and paintings.

Paint Out Plein Air Competition 2019

What a brilliant day …though actually it ran over 2 days the Friday and Saturday in late August.
We met in the church at Blythburgh – Holy Trinity Church. Loads of parking and just off the A12 it is very easy to find.
AND what a great Location! The River Blyth runs into the marshes behind this classic suffolk “wool” Church. (Most wool towns in Suffolk have great churches  e.g. Lavenham and Long Melford.) Then over the A12 you can see the Blyth Estuary that flows out into the North sea between the towns of Walberswick and Southwold.

We had 3hrs to complete a plein air painting so I went round the back of the Church and found an old wrecked quay on the river Blyth in the marshes that ran from the church up to a rise in the land at Wehaston – where Harry Becker the artist had a house.

I would recommend Blythburgh as a great base for this area. The White hart inn provides accomodation, views over the Estuary and good food plus farm yard animals including cute chickens and goats.

Happily my painting won second prize which was great result. I think the painting reflects my day perfectly some lovely sunshine and great lansdscape!

Learning Points

1. THE VIEW if you are going to agonise over the best view you need to do an exploration of the site prior to the day. I had a bit of a blip debating …”oh where should I go”…. that cost me 3o mins. If you find something that engages you sit down and paint it. If indecision hits do a slow 360 degree turn on the spot…something will take you eye. You can waste time looking for the unattainable perfect view and mkiss an absolute cracker you had not noticed!

2. SUN BLOCK & WATER…take loads on a hot day. I managed to drop my turpentine on my leg! so needed water to wash it doen then water to drink as it was 30 plus degrees celsius.