Oil. Alistair Butt © 2013 - #AB 021347
The River Blyth, meets the North Sea just to the south of Southwold (Suffolk coast) and is tidal. The local fishermen have used these landing stages for years, selling their catch at the huts that line part of the Southwold side of the river. The long ropes hold the craft in position as the water level rises and falls - when I was on location it was falling hence the wet mud in the foreground. Further upstream on the Southwold side are some boat repair yards which cater for the sailing boats on both the Walberswick and Southwold side. A ferry takes people across the river or a bridge upstream allows access to both sides - a nice walk with ample subjects on route...
For those that want to sample the location via Google maps visit here (links to Google Maps - new page) and type (or copy) in IP18 6ND and press return, then move the orange figure onto the road alongside the river before moving around...
As is the case for many of my paintings it was the light that attracted me... it was then a case of finding the best position for a good composition and getting the reference material needed.