Your posts are always so interesting, thank you. And I thought that Constable was boring! I love all those sketches, particularly the barges where there seems always more to see. Love the picture you did for your nan. I hope things calm soon.
Seeing these sketches completely changed my mind about Constable. While the big paintings are a bravura performance, I much prefer these small sketches. Thank you, Miranda, I hope they do too.
Thank you for the Constables! The bark on the elm is just mind-blowing. I imagine the care that he took with it. And now I will go to sleep hearing Cosmo Sheldrake’s cuckoo song.
Last year, we went to stay with friends in Clacton, and one morning they took us to Eat Bergholt. We spent time there, looking at Willie Lot’s Cottage, the famous view of The Haywain, which always takes me back to my Aunt and Uncle’s home in rural Essex. They had a poor reproduction of the picture above their fireplace. One of the millions of them that were printed since it’s conception. I confess that this, and many others put me off Constable. Some where I read a quote about his “green messes” and I didn’t give him any attention. But when we were there, I did retain many intricate “shots” of the details of things; a white rose climbing up a black clapboard house, a grindstone against a wall, swallows over the back water by Willie’s cottage, sipping the water, the texture of tiles on a barn roof.
So, your pictures of Constable’s “laborious studies” were a revelation and a delight. Growing up with elms and seeing their demise was my first painful introduction that the natural world I loved and inhabited was not a permanent structure.
Later that same day we drove through the Valley of Bergholt and down to the coast, scene of many childhood holidays, where, to my delight we watched a rain storm touch the sea, just as Constable had depicted.
As I too suffer from arthritis, you have my sympathy; though it sounds as if yours is much more painful than my swollen knuckles and dodgy knee. Some days its worse than others, and I think of my Grandmother doing the washing by hand, lifting those sodden heavy sheets and woollens. At least I don’t have to manipulate them. Thirty years of restaurant cooking haven’t done my hands or feet any favours though.
I think you are a very talented writer as well as artist and was wondering if you kept the posts you write as I think they would make an excellent book. I love the work of Laura Cumming, and her book Thunderclap, reminds me of the work you produce. I would certainly buy any book you wrote and produced. Thank you for yet another insightful, interesting well crafted piece.
Thank you very much for such a lovely comment, I am deeply touched.
Like you, I had previously found Constable's major works rather offputting - their over familiarity and poor reproduction made me think them dull. But seeing these sketches changed my view completely and made me look again at his showstopppers which are astonishing when looked at closely. His clouds, which I shall return to, are wonderful too.
I too remember the loss of elms especially the news reports about the disease. Seeing paintings of this period does make you realise what an important part of the landscape they were.
The shift in my arthritis has been rather a shock and I really hope it settles again, but it is being very persistent. I am trying hard to focus on what is possible, rather than what I have lost. When I began here I never intended to write as I have, but I have loved researhing and understanding about these painters, and I am very glad you enjoy them. I love the columns of Laura Cumming, but have yet to read Thunderclap, and must remedy this!
Meant to say, I have just attended a poetry writing Workshop on The Plight of the Curlew at the Mid Wales Art Centre in Caesws, Newtown. Am working on the poem I was inspired to write. Take an online look at the centre. Lovely venue
Thank you for the recommendation of Melissa Harrison’s book which I was unaware of. I’ve been obsessed with the hawthorn here, as I am every year, and this year is a great one for it. I’m searching out the book today!
When I visited Tate Britain a few months back I happened upon some Constable oil sketches and loved them. Everything you’ve said here was how I felt about them, I was stunned at how wonderful they were. And it was such a lovely surprise to see his oil sketches of Hampstead Heath where I spend so much of my time. I didn’t realise some of his sketches were at the V&A so thank you for that, I can’t wait to see them!
I am hoping that you are able to take up your work again, it must be so difficult not to be able to. I’m constantly aware of how my physical health is changing and I get into a panic about not being able to make art…. I suppose it’s about making the most of it when you can.
Have to tell you again how much I love this Substack of yours, it has become my favourite on here. I usually save it up as a treat to read! Xx
The book is brilliant, as is Clay, which she reading in her Substack.
I am envious of you having the V and A so accessible. It is such a treasure house and the Constable sketches were a wonderful find. I love their simplicity and spontaneity.
Working around how I going to continue with my art is a huge challenge, but I am beginning to see a way forward. The shift has been so sudden and my dexterity affected too, that I confess to have found it devastating. But I will find a way.
I am so glad you enjoy the posts, that means a great deal xx
I remember seeing Constable’s ‘Elm’ and being surprised and impressed, so thank you for reminding me, and I loved those memories of your grandmother. Thank you too for the Stephen Booth recommend...I’m in the mood for a new crime series and I see he’s written eighteen! I’d all but given up on newish fiction but I’m currently reading All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker for the the village book group and can’t put it down.
I’m so sorry about your flare up and really hope things have settled now and that warm summer weather helps. We still so enjoy the wonderful owl print that I won in one of your competitions years ago now, and our barn owls are still here. xx
I was surprised by the Elm too, it is so unlike his "big" works and I found it far more accessible.
I really wanted to read something that swept me along and this certainly did. He conveys a strong sense of he Peaks too and I thought very well plotted - the ending made sense of all the threads too! For a first novel, it is very good indeed - and lots more to read! I shall look up Chris Whitaker, thank you!
I love Constable but especially the sketches. You are spot on when you say that impression and the subsequent modernist movements would not have been possible without Constable and his steadfast approach to painting nature and the purity of a mark. On a side note, I too, struggled with making something more out of plein air work until I just started to leave them alla prima, for better or for worse, just a reaction in the moment. After all it is what makes Constable so great.
I love the life in his sketches and years ago used to have a pochade box that I would use with oils. I found a few of the sketches a few days ago and wondered whether to have another go. I feel uneasy, using an easel in he open as I feel so self conscious and don't enjoy interruptions! But I love oils and so I would love to try again. I don't have the original box and am considering making something. I let me know what you use, I would love to know.
I have been using a Mabef halfbox plein air easel for 30 years. It serves me well, but I have also been considering making some sort of pochade box to be a little more portable. I am also not a fan of painting in public, but you do eventually find, either a way to hide in plain sight or look too busy to bother. In recent years I have spent an hour or two working on a painting until it reaches its limit or when the light changes, then I pull out some prepared paper and let it all hang out in 10-20 minutes. The result is usually not great, but there are those occasional magic moments.
I have looked at this box, and would love to use one, but would feel so conspicuous painting! I wish there were more open spaces here to paint, but mostly they are populated with dog walkers who tend to make a bee-line. At my local patch, I have had people just park themselves next to me on the ground and have had numerous dogs dive at me, upending my kit - so you can understand my hesitation! I can fully see how such a play session at the end would yield some gems - you are warmed up and, with a painting under your belt, have nothing to lose! All this said, I am determined to get out there again.
Such a beautiful post Deborah, thank you. I have been a regular visitor to the V & A over the years but have never seen these Constable sketches so it will be something to look out for next time I visit. I’m sure I don’t need to say but your love for your grandmother shines out from your words.
Your writing brings a gift every single time! What a gorgeous elm tree painted so long ago. How in the world does it keep its vibrancy? The Cosmo song honoring the cuckoo was entrancing as my love for music brings art alive! I sent the song onto a dear artist friend in Idaho recovering from a stem cell procedure. She just responded saying “How magical!” I too have hand/fingers arthritis and am often struggling with it so sending healing thoughts to you. I love to write and it’s getting harder. Thank you thank you for this much needed magical post from an Arizonan who treasures the respite from our current gov. chaos.
The song is wonderful, isn't it? The lyrics are ancient but his recording is so fresh. I am glad you liked this post, but I am sorry to hear you too have arthritis. It is wretched and there seems to be little that helps. My has occurred so suddenly and just hope it goes away in the same manner. Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your support.
Thank you Deborah for introducing me to new things yet again! Your nan sounds like she was a wonderful lady. I've never bothered with Constable, but the Elm and the oil sketches are beautiful. I am sorry to hear about your flare, I hope it calms down soon. The appearance of the sun always seems to annoy my arthritis.
She was very special.These studies changed my mind about Constable. I find his larger works overwhelming, though impressive, whereas these small are so accessible. My arthritis is always worse in hot weather too, but it has been far worse than usual, and is being annoyingly disinclined to calm down! I am sorry you have it too.
Oh, thank you for this, Deborah! I have a particular love of drawings and paintings of trees, but I didn't know about Constable's Elm. How wonderful.
You are very welcome! It is a much treasured book.
Wonderful article, thank you! I hope your arthritis flare abates soon.
Thank you very much, I hope so too x
Your posts are always so interesting, thank you. And I thought that Constable was boring! I love all those sketches, particularly the barges where there seems always more to see. Love the picture you did for your nan. I hope things calm soon.
Seeing these sketches completely changed my mind about Constable. While the big paintings are a bravura performance, I much prefer these small sketches. Thank you, Miranda, I hope they do too.
I agree with John Piper regarding Constable & Impressionists, would also include Turner ( he is responsible along with my mum in discovering Art)
Have saved your post to re-read again & again
These sketches made me love and see Constable in a different light. Thank you very much!
Thank you for the Constables! The bark on the elm is just mind-blowing. I imagine the care that he took with it. And now I will go to sleep hearing Cosmo Sheldrake’s cuckoo song.
I am so pleased you liked it and hope the Cuckoo lulled you to sleep.
Last year, we went to stay with friends in Clacton, and one morning they took us to Eat Bergholt. We spent time there, looking at Willie Lot’s Cottage, the famous view of The Haywain, which always takes me back to my Aunt and Uncle’s home in rural Essex. They had a poor reproduction of the picture above their fireplace. One of the millions of them that were printed since it’s conception. I confess that this, and many others put me off Constable. Some where I read a quote about his “green messes” and I didn’t give him any attention. But when we were there, I did retain many intricate “shots” of the details of things; a white rose climbing up a black clapboard house, a grindstone against a wall, swallows over the back water by Willie’s cottage, sipping the water, the texture of tiles on a barn roof.
So, your pictures of Constable’s “laborious studies” were a revelation and a delight. Growing up with elms and seeing their demise was my first painful introduction that the natural world I loved and inhabited was not a permanent structure.
Later that same day we drove through the Valley of Bergholt and down to the coast, scene of many childhood holidays, where, to my delight we watched a rain storm touch the sea, just as Constable had depicted.
As I too suffer from arthritis, you have my sympathy; though it sounds as if yours is much more painful than my swollen knuckles and dodgy knee. Some days its worse than others, and I think of my Grandmother doing the washing by hand, lifting those sodden heavy sheets and woollens. At least I don’t have to manipulate them. Thirty years of restaurant cooking haven’t done my hands or feet any favours though.
I think you are a very talented writer as well as artist and was wondering if you kept the posts you write as I think they would make an excellent book. I love the work of Laura Cumming, and her book Thunderclap, reminds me of the work you produce. I would certainly buy any book you wrote and produced. Thank you for yet another insightful, interesting well crafted piece.
May your pen never dry up!
Thank you very much for such a lovely comment, I am deeply touched.
Like you, I had previously found Constable's major works rather offputting - their over familiarity and poor reproduction made me think them dull. But seeing these sketches changed my view completely and made me look again at his showstopppers which are astonishing when looked at closely. His clouds, which I shall return to, are wonderful too.
I too remember the loss of elms especially the news reports about the disease. Seeing paintings of this period does make you realise what an important part of the landscape they were.
The shift in my arthritis has been rather a shock and I really hope it settles again, but it is being very persistent. I am trying hard to focus on what is possible, rather than what I have lost. When I began here I never intended to write as I have, but I have loved researhing and understanding about these painters, and I am very glad you enjoy them. I love the columns of Laura Cumming, but have yet to read Thunderclap, and must remedy this!
Thank you again for your kindness.
Meant to say, I have just attended a poetry writing Workshop on The Plight of the Curlew at the Mid Wales Art Centre in Caesws, Newtown. Am working on the poem I was inspired to write. Take an online look at the centre. Lovely venue
How fortunate to have such a venue close by, it looks such a lovely place. I read up about the course too and which sounded excellent.
Thank you for the recommendation of Melissa Harrison’s book which I was unaware of. I’ve been obsessed with the hawthorn here, as I am every year, and this year is a great one for it. I’m searching out the book today!
When I visited Tate Britain a few months back I happened upon some Constable oil sketches and loved them. Everything you’ve said here was how I felt about them, I was stunned at how wonderful they were. And it was such a lovely surprise to see his oil sketches of Hampstead Heath where I spend so much of my time. I didn’t realise some of his sketches were at the V&A so thank you for that, I can’t wait to see them!
I am hoping that you are able to take up your work again, it must be so difficult not to be able to. I’m constantly aware of how my physical health is changing and I get into a panic about not being able to make art…. I suppose it’s about making the most of it when you can.
Have to tell you again how much I love this Substack of yours, it has become my favourite on here. I usually save it up as a treat to read! Xx
The book is brilliant, as is Clay, which she reading in her Substack.
I am envious of you having the V and A so accessible. It is such a treasure house and the Constable sketches were a wonderful find. I love their simplicity and spontaneity.
Working around how I going to continue with my art is a huge challenge, but I am beginning to see a way forward. The shift has been so sudden and my dexterity affected too, that I confess to have found it devastating. But I will find a way.
I am so glad you enjoy the posts, that means a great deal xx
I am so glad that you are finding a way to keep on making, Deborah x
I remember seeing Constable’s ‘Elm’ and being surprised and impressed, so thank you for reminding me, and I loved those memories of your grandmother. Thank you too for the Stephen Booth recommend...I’m in the mood for a new crime series and I see he’s written eighteen! I’d all but given up on newish fiction but I’m currently reading All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker for the the village book group and can’t put it down.
I’m so sorry about your flare up and really hope things have settled now and that warm summer weather helps. We still so enjoy the wonderful owl print that I won in one of your competitions years ago now, and our barn owls are still here. xx
I was surprised by the Elm too, it is so unlike his "big" works and I found it far more accessible.
I really wanted to read something that swept me along and this certainly did. He conveys a strong sense of he Peaks too and I thought very well plotted - the ending made sense of all the threads too! For a first novel, it is very good indeed - and lots more to read! I shall look up Chris Whitaker, thank you!
I love Constable but especially the sketches. You are spot on when you say that impression and the subsequent modernist movements would not have been possible without Constable and his steadfast approach to painting nature and the purity of a mark. On a side note, I too, struggled with making something more out of plein air work until I just started to leave them alla prima, for better or for worse, just a reaction in the moment. After all it is what makes Constable so great.
I love the life in his sketches and years ago used to have a pochade box that I would use with oils. I found a few of the sketches a few days ago and wondered whether to have another go. I feel uneasy, using an easel in he open as I feel so self conscious and don't enjoy interruptions! But I love oils and so I would love to try again. I don't have the original box and am considering making something. I let me know what you use, I would love to know.
I have been using a Mabef halfbox plein air easel for 30 years. It serves me well, but I have also been considering making some sort of pochade box to be a little more portable. I am also not a fan of painting in public, but you do eventually find, either a way to hide in plain sight or look too busy to bother. In recent years I have spent an hour or two working on a painting until it reaches its limit or when the light changes, then I pull out some prepared paper and let it all hang out in 10-20 minutes. The result is usually not great, but there are those occasional magic moments.
I have looked at this box, and would love to use one, but would feel so conspicuous painting! I wish there were more open spaces here to paint, but mostly they are populated with dog walkers who tend to make a bee-line. At my local patch, I have had people just park themselves next to me on the ground and have had numerous dogs dive at me, upending my kit - so you can understand my hesitation! I can fully see how such a play session at the end would yield some gems - you are warmed up and, with a painting under your belt, have nothing to lose! All this said, I am determined to get out there again.
Wow, fortunately, I have never had anyone simply park themselves next me. That would be a bit offputting.
Very off-putting!
The Study of the Trunk of an Elm Tree, 1821 looks like a photograph there is so much good detail
It is very well observed!
Such a beautiful post Deborah, thank you. I have been a regular visitor to the V & A over the years but have never seen these Constable sketches so it will be something to look out for next time I visit. I’m sure I don’t need to say but your love for your grandmother shines out from your words.
Thank you,Gina, I was so lucky to have her.
Do go and see the sketches next time you go, they are fascinating, and tucked away , so you can look at them at leisure.
Eye-opening and happy-making, as always. Thanks so much for this, Deborah!
Thank you very much, Maria.
Deborah please disregard my request for a link to Cosmo Sheldraje. I found him on Apple Music 🎶
I am glad you found him!
One more thing Deborah. My Idaho friend was searching for a link to the singer Cosmo’s work. Do you share such info?
Your writing brings a gift every single time! What a gorgeous elm tree painted so long ago. How in the world does it keep its vibrancy? The Cosmo song honoring the cuckoo was entrancing as my love for music brings art alive! I sent the song onto a dear artist friend in Idaho recovering from a stem cell procedure. She just responded saying “How magical!” I too have hand/fingers arthritis and am often struggling with it so sending healing thoughts to you. I love to write and it’s getting harder. Thank you thank you for this much needed magical post from an Arizonan who treasures the respite from our current gov. chaos.
The song is wonderful, isn't it? The lyrics are ancient but his recording is so fresh. I am glad you liked this post, but I am sorry to hear you too have arthritis. It is wretched and there seems to be little that helps. My has occurred so suddenly and just hope it goes away in the same manner. Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your support.
Thank you Deborah for introducing me to new things yet again! Your nan sounds like she was a wonderful lady. I've never bothered with Constable, but the Elm and the oil sketches are beautiful. I am sorry to hear about your flare, I hope it calms down soon. The appearance of the sun always seems to annoy my arthritis.
She was very special.These studies changed my mind about Constable. I find his larger works overwhelming, though impressive, whereas these small are so accessible. My arthritis is always worse in hot weather too, but it has been far worse than usual, and is being annoyingly disinclined to calm down! I am sorry you have it too.