30x30 Direct Watercolour Challenge 2026 *9 DOnkeys and *10 Ice cream by the pier, and first third done!

Yes, dearly beloved, I am a week into the 30x30 Direct Watercolour Challenge 2026, and I’ve already made 10 paintings which means I’m one third of the way towards completion.

To put this into perspective, I completed 7 paintings in the first week in 2025. When you consider that I was off work with a broken left shoulder so I had all day to paint if I wanted in 2025, then that makes what I’ve managed in the last week even more impressive.

Ah, but you may say, yes, that’s all very well and good, but considering you’ve completed the challenge in 2018,19,21,22,23 and 25, 6 times in 8 years, then why would there be any question of you not completing it? Well, if you look at the list of years again, the two really interesting things are the omissions. In 2020 I just never got round to starting it. In 2024 though I started in very high hopes and just blew it. It wasn’t because I didn’t have enough time for it. I did no preparation for it and made he first couple of paintings on pretty poor paper. It didn’t help, but then again my heart really wasn’t in it, I lost enthusiasm because however hard I tried, the paintings weren’t getting any better and to me seemed nowhere near the standard of the best paintings I made in 2023. It became a daily chore just to get something, anything down on paper and after 8 paintings I gave up.

In 2025 I got off to a good start, and that made all the difference.

So, how have I done in 2026 so far? I decided to make at least my first few paintings on a nostalgic beach theme and 8 of my 10 paintings so far have been just that. Click on the pictures to see them full size

1)   1) Whitley Bay

I love Northeast England and the coast of Northumberland is wonderful.

    

2) Swinging London -  not as good as picture 1, but I enjoyed making it.

3)  3) Grandpas on beach duty. I’m a grandpa myself.

 4) Gone fishin’ – Not quite there – competent but uninspired

 5) Paddling – I love the idea of wearing your Sunday best clothing when you go for a paddle. The white blouse of the old lady works well

6)   6) The Wreck – I found a reference photo showing this flying boat and I knew that I was going to want to paint it

7) The Toy Yacht – I think this is the best painting showing reflections in the water that I’ve ever managed

8)   The sandcastle builders – I had the guts to go a bit stronger with the colours here

9)Okay - so here's the two most recent that I hadn't posted yet.

9) Beach Donkeys - I thought that I hadn’t yet shown any donkeys on a beach yet. Deliberately didn’t show them giving any kids rides as I don’t really like that sort of thing.

10)                   Ice cream on the prom –

I haven’t yet decided the theme for the next 10 – if any. Watch this space. As a set I’m delighted with the first 10, though. I think they’re the best first 10 I’ve made in any year of the challenge.