Christchurch Priory Dorset

Christchurch Priory Dorset, west view, oil painting

Christchurch priory, west view


This is a painting of Christchurch priory from the west aspect. I did a previous painting which depicted the northgate entrance, and is here.

Being a piece of complicated architecture naturally meant that some time would be spent drawing it out and getting the details correct. The figures help a great deal to give a sense of scale. The church is in the coastal town of Christchurch in Dorset, UK. The painting is on a 20" x16" canvas, and painted in oils.

from the website...
The town of Christchurch, Dorset, UK boasts a wonderful priory, painted and photographed many times over the centuries. Construction first started in 1094 AD as a norman church. It took several centuries to construct and is a landmark for several miles in all directions. This painting is in oils on a canvas measuring 20" x 16". The original photograph was taken in the summer of 2010. The late afternoon sun helps to pick out the details of the churches architecture. This is a very popular view of Christchurch Priory, photographed and painted countless times over the centuries, even though it never changes its appearance. Buildings are always a welcome challenge but the gravestones are in a way more interesting having many varied colours on the stone due to weathering over the centuries. The people were added later from similar photographs to add interest and scale.