Jan Couling, has been lucky enough to visit Clare, and some old old haunts that we miss from our pre-lockdown painting days.

During the first few weeks of lockdown I was digging my vegetable garden, and planting the seeds which I had fortunately bought in February before Covid 19 affected us. Everything got off to an early start and I’m now harvesting a variety of vegetables every day, which cuts down on shopping trips.

Hawkedon Church by Jan Couling

I then decided to draw a quick sketch in the countryside every day while walking my dog. I’m very fortunate to live in an area surrounded by fields and can walk for miles without meeting any other people. I carry an A6 sketchbook, fine line pens, water-soluble pens and graphite pencils, watercolour crayons and a water brush in my bum bag along with the dog treats.

When not gardening, I have been experimenting with different materials and papers which I’ve had for some time and not used. The rough texture of Khadi handmade paper from India has produced some nice effects in a couple of hare paintings.

More recently, since lockdown eased, I have been meeting up with a friend for socially distanced sketching/painting outings in the area around Clare. This has been extremely enjoyable, making the most of the wonderful weather, and scenery near home.

Here are a few sketches, all done on location (some colouring finished in the studio though). Some took 10 mins, and others a couple of hours. Not my usual style of artwork, but a challenge to try something different.