Fishing boat in Burnmouth Harbour, Scottish Borders

"Burnmouth Harbour", Burnmouth, Scottish Borders.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.
Burnmouth is a small village situated between, Berwick-upon-tweed to the south and Eyemouth to the north, on the East coast of the Scottish Borders.

The harbour and village are enclosed by cliffs on one side and the North Sea on the other. A few fishing boats left the harbour on their morning trip while I was doing some sketches and notes but otherwise not that many boats in what must have been a busy harbour in the not so distant past.

Painting of boats in Newlyn harbour, Cornwall

"Beached Boats at Newlyn", Newlyn, Cornwall.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

A bright morning light reflecting of the wet beach at the tide slow goes out leaving a collection of interesting boats beached amongst the seaweed.

Sea and rocks on the North Cornish coast near Sennen.

"Rocks at Sennen", near Sennen Cove, Cornwall.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.
There's something impressive about looking at the forces of nature... firstly, those that created the rocks and secondly, the sea, along with the wind etc trying to break them down.

This oil painting shows a tiny section of the north Cornwall coast between Sennen Cove and Land's End, that's exposed daily to all that the Atlantic ocean can throw at it. On the day, the sea had nothing more than a large swell and almost at high tide, but created some interesting loose shapes which contrasted with the sharper shapes of the rocks.

Painting of Cornish sea cliffs

"From Gurnards Head", Gurnards Head, Cornwall.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

This view is looking from Gurnards Head, on the north coast of Penwith in Cornwall, towards Pendeen Watch and the lighthouse on the distant headland.

Gurnards Head is a superb place to explore, assuming you have a head for heights that is. It has stunning views up and down the Cornish coast, or just watching the waves crash against the cliffs and rocks and the sea birds passing by, all add up to a wonderful location to spend a few hours drawing.