Another great Sketching Day

I’ve just got back from an inspiring Outdoor Sketching event with Thornbury Art Club.

Eleven of us met at the Stonehouse Court Hotel, a 19th century building alongside the Stroudwater Canal. The Hotel building is a magnificent Grade 11 listed Manor House, dating back to 1601 and originally owned by the Earls of Arundel.

The Hotel staff were very welcoming, inviting our artists to not only sketch in the grounds but inside the beautiful building as well.

It was a perfect Autumn morning - a chill in the air with the sun shining and nature’s colours beginning to sing. This tempted us to go outside and see what we could find.

A popular choice was the exterior of the building. like most old buildings, the Manor House had been previously gutted by a fire but the beautiful external architecture and internal walls had thankfully stood strong. Our sketchers delighted in capturing it’s stonework and detail.

Other Sketchers proceeded through the gardens and onto the canal banks where, enticing views beckoned. To the left was St Cyr’s church surrounded by mighty trees, and along the canal banks was attractive vegetation and local wildlife.

A handful more of us crossed the canal by the swing bridge and walked back along the towpath to see what we could find. Nutshell House and Bridge proved a tempting subject. It was lovely to sit in the sunshine and get engrossed in our art, stopping now and then to watch the ducks have a squabble or pass the time of day with folks out for their morning exercise.

When a cool wind started to bite I knew it was time to head back to catch up with the others in the hotel over a welcome coffee. The interior historical features and furniture were fascinating and one or two of the group continued their sketching whilst chatting and supping. We shared our work, all different in many ways.

Another fabulous morning together.