Solo Exhibition: Painting through the Seasons, In the Footsteps of Charles Tunnicliffe,
10th June- 12th Oct 2025, Oriel Ynys Mon, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL77 7TQ
This is my third year visiting Cemlyn Bay, a magical wildlife haven on the north of Anglesey where there are an abundance of birds to be seen, particularly in the summer due to the large Tern colonies occupying the two small islands on the lagoon. After last years struggle against bird flu it was wonderful to see the Tern colonies teeming with life. There were around 2000 Sandwich tern, 200 common tern and 400 arctic tern chicks fledged this year, as well as chicks of other species across the reserve.
I was interested to learn more about what the Tern colony would have looked like in Tunnicliffes day. I've learnt that the tern colony was a much smaller affair in1969, 21 pairs of Common Terns and 5 pairs of Arctic Terns, 2 Sandwich terns were also hanging about and a pair of Black-headed gulls had nested and reared 3 young. By the summer of 1973 there were 220 pairs of Arctic Terns, 30 Pairs of Common Terns, 12 pairs of Sandwich terns and 7 pairs of Black-headed gulls. Â
Over the years there has been a battle against the Spring tides overcoming the sea defences and flooding the island nest sites on the lagoons bringing devastation to the colonies. But by 1978 the colony has been protected by a weir and structural surveys have shown it remains strong.
Below is a link to the Wildlife Trust Cemlyn Bay blog describing the many wildlife sights throughout summer:
'Sandwich Tern watching its Chick'. 9" x 7", oil on linen.
This is the first painting marking the start of my trip at Cemlyn Bay in late June. Each time I've visited Cemlyn I've been staying in the area in summer, slightly later in the season each time, this has made it interesting in observing the different stages of the Tern colony and other bird species throughout the nesting season.
I was very excited to be returning with a bigger and better telescope, thanks to receiving a very generous bursary from the Eric Hosking Trust, for which I am humbly grateful! I had been struggling to see the Terns through my smaller Nikon ed50 scope but with the Swarovski ATS 65 and a wide angled 25-50 eye piece, I had a clear view of the Terns this time which made a huge difference!
Sandwich Terns carrying food back to the nest over the lagoon.
'Sandwich Tern and bathing Chick'. 9" x 7", oil on linen.
At this point I'm noting to myself not to spend the entire week painting fluffy chicks...as tempting as it is!
A very flat and calm sea.
'Arctic Tern on the Shore'. 9" x 7", oil on linen.
The Terns were gathering on the shore at low tide, something a local artist observed to usually happen later in the season... perhaps its due to this non summer we're having! I found myself painting in full winter gear for half the time I spent at Cemlyn as it is quite exposed on the ridge.
Photo taken with a Nikon d800, a wonderful camera brought for photographing my artwork. Marc Dalessio did a brilliant video on this- Photographing Paintings with a DSLR | Marc Dalessio. Most of my photos in this blog are taken on my mobile as the Nikon proved too heavy to carry on top of all my painting equipment.
Over the first couple of days I was treated to perfect blue skies and golden sunsets!
Here you can see the bay to the left and the lagoon to the right. 4000 Terns nest on two islands on the lagoon.
'Black headed Gull and young close by'. 9" x 7", oil on linen.
'Black headed Gull Pair at Dusk'. 9" x 7", oil on linen. I loved the soft pink hues infused in this scene
'Sandwich Tern Colony'. 9" x 7", oil on linen.
Here I wanted to get a sense of the tightly packed Tern colony. In the bright sunlight the Sandwich Terns glowed blue reflecting the clear sky above, their angular white forms contrasting against the dark foliage.
'Terns flying back and forth'. 12" x 24", oil on linen.
This was a good spot for watching the Tern traffic over the course of the evening until dusk where upon I attacked the painting with those long shadows and the final fiery hues that lit up the scene.
Painting until the last rays of sunlight dip below the hill.
Beautiful warm hues turning the bay pink.
'Precious Cargo'. 5" x 7", oil on linen.
'Swan pair at Dusk', 9" x 7", oil on linen.
I enjoyed painting the swans white plumage reflecting the darkening blue sky and the dusk light. The pairs only cygnet was tucked away safely under the wings.
Such a beautiful twilight sky!
'Juvenile Black headed Gull on the Lagoons edge'. 9" x 7", oil on linen.
The Black headed gull juveniles were resting and feeding in small groups. Black headed gull chicks begin fluffy and brown and are very well camouflaged, they stay near their nest site until fledging which occurs 35 days after hatching. These birds are on the amber list with an estimated 140,000 breeding pairs in the UK.
The coastal wildflowers here in June are just beautiful. Other plants to spot include sea kale, sea campion, thrift, sea beet, yellow horned poppy, sea aster, sea holly and sea purslane.
A piece in the early stages and at the point where I was enjoying painting it the most... not all paintings are a success!
Thrift or Sea pink- one of my favourite flowers which I look forward to painting each spring.
Looking back to Cemlyn bay.
'Sandwich Tern Chick in the Sea Mist'. 9"x 7", oil on linen.
A chilly day with sea mist shrouding the lagoon. Here I painted a Sandwich Tern chick with its adult plumage beginning to show. I enjoyed the atmospheric effects of the moving mist obscuring the landscape.
'Juvenile Black headed Gull peering into the Lagoon'. 9" x 7", oil on linen.
A juvenile black headed gull peering into the lagoon where they regularly liked to feed along the waters edge. The light was soft but bright in this scene.
Field sketches and studio refined drawings.
12" x 18", oil on linen.
If I'd been at Cemlyn longer I would have liked to have scaled up to working on a larger canvas but I enjoyed capturing these scenes in the evening light. I think swans demand a larger canvas, a subject I will have to revisit again elsewhere!
9" x 18", oil on linen.
This was lovely to see, blue glowing swans against the pink lit lake!
Photo's taken with my phone camera lens held up to the scope eyepiece.
9" x 14", oil on linen.
A brief spell of light one morning at Cemlyn whilst watching a small gathering of Terns on the bay.
9" x 7", oil on linen.
Another spell of light, the Terns were repeatedly flying up and then landing back down on the shoreline as the tide rose. It seemed it was easier to ride the breeze to move up the shore rather than walking.
A lot of cloud during my stay at Cemlyn, but rendering it no less magical!
12" x 18", oil on linen.
Since it was windy I had the wonderful opportunity of studying the Arctic Terns in flight as they hovered a while before landing on the nest sites.
6" x 8", oil on linen.
9" x 7", oil on linen.
Terns taking to the air in synchronised flight in order to protect the colony from predators.
The Sandwich Terns were very noisy and always fiercely guarding their chicks and chasing off 'the wrong' chicks to keep the way clear to their own. It was quite a warm day whilst the sun shone and there were a number of chicks lying down resting whilst camouflaged against the dry earth.
12" x 24", oil on linen.
This was one of my bigger pieces, I enjoyed trying to get a sense of the wide open space and soft summer light.
9" x 7", oil on linen.
I had noticed the sign but I hoped pulling up to paint wasn't the same as parking! The owners did pass by, fortunately they were friendly!
This was painted hastily in the fading light, unfortunately my composition was way off and will need to be repainted in the studio.
More snippets captured through the scope of Ringed Plover chicks running freely whilst the parent stood still watching for threats. The Ringed Plovers nest on the wildflower shingle ridge, a stunningly beautiful and unspoilt habitat! Coupled with Ringed Plover chicks, this was a real treat to paint! Later in the evening the parents would guide them to the beach to feed whilst keeping a watchful eye out for predators, occasionally a threat would be observed and the parent would sound a quiet alarm to call the chicks over to take cover.
12" x 18", oil on linen. Ringed Plover family under a hazy light.
12" x 18", oil on linen.
Ringed Plover family and a Yellow horned poppy in the late afternoon light.
12" x 18", oil on linen.
Black headed Gull roost at sunset in the shallows of the lagoon, the water is coloured by the large brick wall reflecting in the water.
A couple more painting attempts which I'll hold onto for references when I come to finish and develop what I'd caught.
A stunning farewell sky from Cemlyn, its a shame I can't paint everything at once! There had been a scene reminiscent of a Bruno Liljefors painting unfolding behind me on the rocks where birds were roosting against a twilight sky.
To be continued in the studio... check back to see step by step demonstrations added here as I develop larger pieces in the studio and share the creative process.
This project has been supported by The Eric Hosking Charitable Trust (erichoskingtrust.com)
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