Lepe Beach and The Solent
Most of Richard's paintings have a strong sense of place, even the ones which were straight out of his imagination. One real place, however, stands out as his richest source of inspiration for his largest single body of work - Lepe beach.
Lepe beach is a short stretch of shingle and sand a few minutes drive from Richard's home in Dibden Purlieu. It stretches east towards the Southampton Water estuary and west to the mouth of the Beaulieu River. The beach itself provides endless material for a painter. Richard loved its textures, the stony spit at low tide and its idiosyncratic visitors. The beach also gives a grandstand view of the vast panorama of the Solent, the channel of open water extending twenty miles from the entrance to Portsmouth harbour, along the whole length of the Isle of Wight, past the spit at Hurst Castle and on to the Needles at the Island's western tip.
The constant procession of vessels also fascinated Richard - warships heading for the Portsmouth naval base, liners and freighters making their way to Southampton port and tankers going into the refinery at Fawley. Then there was the Isle of Wight ferry, countless small motor boats, grand yachts and, closer to the shore, the agile windsurfers. The Island itself is an ever present backdrop to all of this.
The beach faces south, so you look into the light most of the time which makes everything a little more dramatic. It also faces into the prevailing wind so you can see a storm heading straight for you ages before you feel the first raindrop.
Richard moved to the area in the mid 1930s, but he did not start to paint his experience of Lepe Beach regularly until the 1960s, and it was not until he was getting older in the 1980s that that he really became obsessed, painting it right up until his death in 1992.
This set collects together pictures of the beach iteself, views across the Solent from the beach and paintings which document life on the beach or which have been inspired by it.
Steps from the Beach (1990)
oil on board - 29h × 37.5w (cm)
There’s a lovely formality about the arrangement of the details which make up the composition of this picture. The weirdly tall figures feel just right and Dad is not worrying about accuracy here!
Stormy Evening, Lepe (1976)
oil on board - 13.9h × 22.8w (cm)
This scene shows how much Dad could enjoy and be confident with strong colour after many years being rather circumspect.
Hurst Castle Lighthouse (1975)
watercolour on paper laid on board - 28h × 38w (cm)
I thought I would include an ‘empty’ picture. I think it is masterful how the distance across the water to Hurst Castle is suggested in such subtle ways.
Tanker on Fire (1965)
oil on canvas - 30.5h × 40.6w (cm)
An unusually dramatic event reminiscent of scenes Dad dealt with during the War. There is a feeling of greater freedom though here where he is expressing the excitement rather than documenting for historical reasons.
Clearing Clouds at Lepe (1992)
oil on board - 61h × 75.5w (cm)
Last Look at the Sea (1992)
oil on board - 44h × 59w (cm)
Rain Clouds Over the Solent (1992)
oil on board - 29.5h × 59.5w (cm)
Distant Liner (1991)
oil on board - 26.5h × 53w (cm)
Low Tide Fun (1991)
oil on board - 61h × 75w (cm)
Fishing Party (1991)
oil on board - 61h × 75w (cm)
Small Seascape (c1991)
oil on board - 14h × 26w (cm)
The Dog (1990)
oil on board - 18.5h × 27.5w (cm)
Early Morning (1990)
oil on board - 14h × 25.5w (cm)
Silhouetted Figures on Beach with Dog (c1990)
oil on board - 7.4h × 15w (cm)
People at Lepe (c1990)
oil on board - 24h × 29w (cm)
Bleak Beach (c1990)
oil on board - 60.5h × 75.5w (cm)
Low Tide, Lepe Beach (1989)
oil on board - 45h × 60w (cm)
Water's Edge (1989)
oil on board - 30.5h × 61w (cm)
Seascape (1989)
oil on panel - 11h × 29.5w (cm)
Girl with Seaweed (1989)
oil on board - 45.7h × 60.9w (cm)
Solitary Pair on Beach (1989)
oil on board - 47.5h × 61w (cm)
The Sea (1989)
oil on board - 43h × 62w (cm)
East Wind (1989)
oil on board - 10.2h × 40w (cm)
The Black Dog (1989)
oil on board - 78h × 74w (cm)
Canoes (1989)
oil on board - 15h × 42w (cm)
The Canoe (1989)
oil on board - 45.7h × 61w (cm)
Threatening Skies (1989)
oil on board - 45.7h × 61w (cm)
Breakwaters, Lepe (1989)
oil on board - 42h × 75w (cm)
A Family (1989)
oil on card - 14.8h × 20.3w (cm)
Bait Diggers (1989)
oil on board - 29.5h × 60w (cm)
Night Scene (1989)
oil on board - 18.5h × 36w (cm)
Cowes Regatta (1989)
oil on board - 18h × 76w (cm)
Figures, Low Tide (1989)
oil on board - 10.1h × 30.1w (cm)
Brother and Sister (1989)
oil on board - 45.5h × 61w (cm)
Choppy Sea (1989)
oil on board - 14h × 22w (cm)
The Watcher (1989)
oil on board - 44.5h × 61w (cm)
Beach Scene (1989)
oil on board - 44.5h × 60w (cm)
The Photographer (1989)
oil on board - 43.5h × 60w (cm)
The Rainbow (1989)
oil on board - 28h × 36w (cm)
Gulls (1989)
oil on board - 47h × 60w (cm)
Tide Coming In (1989)
Oil on canvas board
The Island (1989)
oil on board - 45.7h × 61w (cm)
Unusually High Tide (1989)
oil on board - 39.5h × 45.5w (cm)
Wave Power II (c1989)
oil on board - 41h × 60.5w (cm)
Boat on Rough Sea (c1989)
oil on board - 12h × 20w (cm)
Enjoying the Sun (c1989)
oil on board - 16h × 28w (cm)
The Ship (c1989)
oil on canvas board - 9.5h × 14.6w (cm)
Flight of Birds over the Sea (1988)
oil on board - 48.3h × 71.1w (cm)
Windy Solent (1988)
oil on board - 8.5h × 38w (cm)
Brent Geese and Gulls (1988)
oil on board - 29h × 42w (cm)
Breakwaters (1988)
oil on board - 45h × 60w (cm)
Broken Cloud (1988)
oil on board - 48h × 55w (cm)
Bait Diggers (1988)
oil on board - 12h × 15w (cm)
The Tug (1988)
oil on board - 24h × 35.5w (cm)
Storm Arising (1988)
oil on board - 33h × 43w (cm)
The Shore (1988)
oil on board - 20.4h × 61w (cm)
Lone Sail (1988)
oil on board - 61h × 73w (cm)
Storm (1988)
oil on board - 25h × 31w (cm)
Greeting the Spray (1988)
oil on board - 12h × 55w (cm)
Lone Sailer (1988)
oil on board - 44.5h × 50w (cm)
Storm Brewing (1988)
oil on board - 19h × 88.9w (cm)
Bathers (1988)
oil on board - 9.5h × 20.5w (cm)
Low Tide Beaulieu River (1988)
oil on board - 53.5h × 74w (cm)
Mini Regatta (1988)
oil on board - 49.5h × 75w (cm)
Activity on the Beach (1988)
oil on board - 39.5h × 90w (cm)
Windbreak (1988)
oil on board - 31.5h × 35.5w (cm)
Lepe (1988)
oil on board
Two Bathers in a Blue Sea (1988)
oil on board - 46h × 50.5w (cm)
The Large Yacht (1988)
pencil on paper - 28h × 38w (cm)
The Balloon (1988)
oil on board - 28h × 40.5w (cm)
The Launching (1988)
- 45.7h × 60.7w (cm)
The Deckchair (1988)
oil on board - 46.5h × 62w (cm)
Bank Holiday (1988)
oil on board - 10h × 38w (cm)
The Ferry (1988)
oil on board - 20.5h × 25.5w (cm)
Low Tide (1988)
oil on board - 30.5h × 33.5w (cm)
Activity on the Horizon (c1988)
- 35.6h × 58.4w (cm)
Windsurfer with Board (1987)
pencil on paper - 39h × 55w (cm)
Cowes Week, Isle of Wight (1987)
oil on board - 18h × 59w (cm)
Bait Diggers Returning (1987)
oil on panel - 10.2h × 12.7w (cm)
Figures and Dog on a Beach (1987)
pencil on paper - 39h × 55w (cm)
Two Bathers Having Fun (1987)
oil on board - 18.5h × 29w (cm)
Red Sails (1987)
oil on board - 16h × 17.5w (cm)
Boy Watching Object (1987)
oil on board - 45.5h × 61w (cm)
The Girl (1987)
oil on board - 30.2h × 20.7w (cm)
Father and Daughter Watching Sailing Boats (1987)
pencil on paper - 39.4h × 56.5w (cm)
The Rocket (1987)
oil on board - 28h × 60w (cm)
Two Yachts (1987)
pencil on paper - 39h × 55w (cm)
Solitary Figure and Bird (1987)
oil on board - 50.5h × 66.5w (cm)
Bait Diggers (1987)
pencil on paper - 38.5h × 55w (cm)
Sunset at Sea (1987)
oil on board - 18.5h × 35.5w (cm)
Dark Sea with Storm Clouds (1987)
oil on board - 23h × 29w (cm)
Boys Resting (1987)
oil on board - 14.5h × 14w (cm)
Sail in the Dark (1987)
oil on board - 13.2h × 17w (cm)
Cloud Explosion (1987)
oil on board - 61h × 61w (cm)
Bait Digger (1987)
oil on board - 48.3h × 61w (cm)
Lady with a Bucket on a Beach (1987)
pencil on paper - 39h × 55w (cm)
View of a Yacht (1987)
pencil on paper - 39.4h × 56.5w (cm)
Rain and Rainbow (1987)
oil on board - 30.4h × 40.6w (cm)
Early Morning, Lepe (1987)
oil on board - 41.9h × 61w (cm)
The Toy Boat (1987)
oil on board - 27.8h × 29.7w (cm)
Cowes Regatta (1987)
oil on board - 9.5h × 17w (cm)
Rain At Times (1987)
oil on board - 12h × 15w (cm)
Low Tide, Lepe (1987)
oil on board - 17h × 24w (cm)
Canoes with Sails (1987)
oil on board - 12h × 21w (cm)
Bathers at Low Tide (1987)
- 20.3h × 30.5w (cm)
So That Is the Island (1987)
oil on board - 62h × 81.4w (cm)
Figures on the Shore (1987)
oil on board - 13h × 17w (cm)
Winter Solent (1987)
oil on board - 38h × 61w (cm)
Two Boats and a Bait Digger (1987)
pencil on paper - 39h × 55w (cm)
Sky Over Beach (c1987)
- 10.2h × 20.3w (cm)
Figures on Beach (1986)
oil on board - 10.1h × 33w (cm)
Cowes Regatta (1986)
oil on board - 12.7h × 28w (cm)
The Bait Digger's Family (1986)
oil on board - 17h × 28w (cm)
Windsurfer Evening (1986)
oil on board - 30h × 65w (cm)
Red Heads and Young Man (1986)
oil on board - 42h × 55.8w (cm)
Dark Beach (1986)
oil on board - 8.9h × 35.6w (cm)
Wind and Waves (1986)
oil on board - 45.8h × 66w (cm)
The Girl on the Beach (1986)
oil on board - 17.5h × 26w (cm)
Two Girls (1986)
oil on board - 22.2h × 28.6w (cm)
Summer Garb (1986)
oil on board - 31h × 46w (cm)
Study (1986)
oil on board - 39h × 74w (cm)
Further Outlook (1986)
- 14.7h × 33.25w (cm)
Beach No. I (1986)
- 12.1h × 30.5w (cm)
Beach No. VII (1986)
oil on board - 23h × 28w (cm)
Wings (1986)
oil on ? - 54.6h × 80w (cm)
Beach No. VI (1986)
oil on board - 10.2h × 31.1w (cm)
Beach No. V (1986)
oil on board - 9h × 36.5w (cm)
Sails (1986)
oil on board - 12.5h × 17w (cm)
Busy Shore (1986)
oil on board - 40h × 43w (cm)
Mother and Child on Beach (1986)
oil on board - 17.5h × 23w (cm)
Low Tide - Lepe (1986)
oil on board - 17.5h × 54w (cm)
Ship in Fog (1986)
oil on board - 15h × 27w (cm)
Figures on the Beach (1986)
oil on board - 16h × 35.5w (cm)
Beach Study No. II (1986)
oil on board - 10.8h × 32.4w (cm)
Brent Geese (1986)
oil on board - 27.5h × 33.5w (cm)
Beach No. III (1986)
oil on board - 28h × 33w (cm)
Beach No. II (1986)
oil on board - 11.4h × 32.4w (cm)
Windsurfer (1986)
oil on board - 36.2h × 50.2w (cm)
Low Tide (1985)
oil on board - 38h × 45w (cm)
Hazy Day, Bait Diggers (1985)
oil on board - 48.8h × 75w (cm)
Boy With a Kite (1985)
oil on board - 58h × 78w (cm)
No.24 Seaweed Beach (1985)
oil on board - 48.3h × 68.6w (cm)
The Beach (1985)
- 35.6h × 30.5w (cm)
The Picnic Party (1985)
oil on board - 61h × 76.2w (cm)
Marine (1985)
oil on board - 13h × 60.5w (cm)
Bait Diggers and Sunbathers (1985)
oil on board - 22h × 50w (cm)
Sea Study (1985)
oil on board - 13h × 29w (cm)
Thames Barge (1985)
oil on board - 25h × 33w (cm)
Study (1985)
oil on board - 20h × 32w (cm)
Marine Sun (1985)
pencil and watercolour on gesso board - 14h × 31w (cm)
Telecom on the Beach (1985)
oil and pencil on board - 45.5h × 66w (cm)
Burning Wreckage on the Beach (1985)
oil on board - 31h × 64w (cm)
Entrance to Beaulieu River (1985)
oil on board - 29.5h × 109w (cm)
The Black Dog (1985)
oil on board - 51.5h × 80.5w (cm)
Gathering Seaweed (1985)
mixed media (pencil and oil) - 30h × 63.5w (cm)
The Sea Wall (1985)
oil on board - 37h × 62w (cm)
Racing, Cowes Regatta (1985)
oil on board - 33.5h × 60.3w (cm)
Man and Dog on Beach (1985)
oil on board - 23h × 30.1w (cm)
Lepe (c1985)
oil on board - 11.3h × 36w (cm)
Sunrise (c1985)
oil on board - 51h × 76w (cm)
Family by the Sea (c1985)
- 11.4h × 26.7w (cm)
The Shore, Lepe (1984)
pencil and oil on board - 21.6h × 31.8w (cm)
Windsurfing on the Solent (1984)
oil on board - 36h × 61w (cm)
Wind Surfer Seascape (1984)
oil on board - 61h × 61w (cm)
Last Glimpse (1984)
oil on board - 41.9h × 61w (cm)
The Three-Master (1984)
mixed media - 25h × 30w (cm)
Children on the Beach (1984)
oil on board - 30.5h × 61w (cm)
Rain Over the Island (1984)
oil on board - 56.5h × 101.5w (cm)
The Bait Digger (1984)
oil and pencil on board - 46.3h × 64w (cm)
Fishermen, Low Tide (1984)
mixed media on board - 57.5h × 59w (cm)
The Three-Master (1984)
oil on board - 23.5h × 60.9w (cm)
Winter Seascape (1984)
oil on board - 30h × 40w (cm)
Sea Shore at Lepe (c1984)
- 35.6h × 61w (cm)
Freighter at Sea with Dog Walker on the Beach (1980s)
oil on panel - 7.6h × 10.2w (cm)
Choppy Sea, Lepe ([date unknown])
watercolour - 29.8h × 38.1w (cm)
The Spit, Solent (20th Jul 1983)
pencil on paper - 31h × 46w (cm)
Three Sisters (1983)
oil on panel - 8h × 35.5w (cm)
Into the Wind (1983)
oil on canvas - 25h × 35w (cm)
The Surf Board (1983)
oil on board - 59h × 75w (cm)
Incoming Tide (1983)
oil on canvas - 8.5h × 38.5w (cm)
Seascape with Rainbow (1983)
oil on board - 13.3h × 27.3w (cm)
Mist at Lepe (1983)
oil on board - 30.5h × 61w (cm)
Bait Diggers (1983)
oil on paper on board - 25.3h × 38.5w (cm)
East Wind (1983)
pencil on paper laid to board - 28h × 38.2w (cm)
Dredger (1983)
oil on board - 59.5h × 74.5w (cm)
Winter Seascape (1983)
oil on board - 29h × 68w (cm)
Passing Vessel (1983)
oil on board - 23h × 30.5w (cm)
Nocturne (1983)
oil on board - 12.1h × 24.1w (cm)
Two Figures (1983)
pencil on paper - 23h × 26w (cm)
In Memoriam. Crispin (1982)
oil on board - 52.2h × 68.9w (cm)
Ragworms (1982)
oil on board - 20h × 26w (cm)
Anglers, Lepe (1982)
oil on board - 18h × 25.5w (cm)
Solent from Lepe (1982)
charcoal pencil on paper on board - 18h × 31.5w (cm)
Sunset (1982)
oil on board - 16.5h × 32.5w (cm)
Summer Evening (1982)
oil on card - 23h × 33w (cm)
Watching Figure (1982)
oil on board - 41h × 61w (cm)
The Black Sail (1982)
oil on board - 17h × 32w (cm)
Yacht Race (1982)
oil on board - 15.5h × 26.5w (cm)