Events. Sketches. Work.
Where it all started. Drawing has always been an important part of my life. From a very early age, I spent time sketching and drawing cartoons. It was a way of communicating when I found writing so difficult. I soon realised how much joy a cartoon can bring by drawing them for friends at school. […]
There is no doubt that 2020 will be remembered as a very difficult year. I’ve worked really hard over the last six years and I’ve been lucky to have very successful exhibitions. It’s always humbling when people buy my work and after each private view there is a huge sense of relief that I’ve made […]
The second Jurassic Coast exhibition is now over and many of the paintings are hanging in their new homes. This exhibition at Symondsbury Tithe Barn was my biggest and most ambitious to date, and the most rewarding one I’ve ever had. It took two days to build the exhibition in the beautiful medieval barn, and […]
It’s always an exciting time when a painting is finished, so it’s great to get the first of the west Dorset paintings finally done. Currently, I’ve got everything for the October exhibition hanging in my studio waiting for the final touches to get ready for the show. This painting of Lyme bay, has been a […]
It’s been quite a while since I’ve written a blog and I’ve got plenty of progress to report. The second year of the Jurassic coast art project is progressing very well with many of the major paintings well under way in the studio. I spent the early part of the year exploring the west Dorset […]
The exhibition in Sidmouth is now over, and the studio has been cleared, painted and it’s ready for the next year’s work. Setting up for the exhibition at Kennaway House now seems a long time ago and the success of the show has temporarily hidden that “what if nobody buys my work” feeling, that I suspect all artists secretly […]
“People often ask me if I find painting relaxing, and when I answer ‘no’ it seems to be quite unexpected”. I’ve always found painting and drawing one of the most challenging, frustrating and difficult things I do. It’s very rare that a painting comes together without the usual intense decision-making, hard work and the inevitable […]
The seasons are rapidly changing on the Jurassic Coast. This has always been a favourite time of year for me, and as an artist, it’s always a great time to photograph and sketch outdoors. The new growth gives the landscape vibrant colours and a fresh look that’s difficult to find at any other time of […]
Colin Bentley is working on a three-year art project in collaboration with the Jurassic Coast Trust. In the latest of his monthly blogs, Colin shares his experiences creating artwork with the help of the Trust’s local Ambassadors. It’s been a busy and very exciting month working on the Jurassic Coast Art Project. I’ve started some of the […]
The sea has always been a major part of my life and painting the coastline is an important aspect of my artwork. I’ve spent time painting in Cornwall and most of Devon, but the Jurassic coast is an area that I haven’t explored enough. The geology has always fascinated me but it’s something I’ve got […]