River Frome Water Views - South Cotswolds

By Angie Spencer
 
Original artworks
Oil on board
Framed
Image size: H: 50cm x W: 50cm
Framed size: H: 53cm xW: 53cm
£650 each
In order as above:
- Miserden Lake in July
- Up River II
 
As a dedicated plein air painter, Angie is to be found outside, in all weathers, capturing the water and woodlands near her Stroud home.
 
"Water is one of my favourite plein air subjects – it takes meditative concentration to catch the subtle illusion of a reflection. I first started painting the River Frome during lockdown, which led into a three-year self-initiated project to paint it ‘From Source to Severn’."
 
The River Frome flows through Miserden Lake on its way to Stroud. Angie spent a quiet July day painting on the shore, finishing this painting in one sitting, alla prima. As you can see, there was only a slight breeze touching the, otherwise, glassy surface of the lake, which gave Angie her favourite opportunity to paint a watery subject where the sky is only visible in reflection: "I enjoy the inverted composition that wooded valleys give. The rosebay willowherb on the opposite bank adds a warm pinky purple to the mostly green composition."
 
This painting was 'shortlisted', from almost 13,000  entries, in the 2025 Jackson's Art Prize contest.
 
Meanwhile, in Up River II, the close-up focus is on the cool water as it runs, fast, over the early stretches of the river, where sunlight picks out the shadows of branches and water surface undulations:
 
"It was one of the first sunny days in March when I started painting this plein air painting of the fresh spring sunlight on the River Frome in Stroud, ‘Up River’ from where I swim regularly. I loved the brightness of the sunlight, and the wonderful cast shadow on the water of the tree on the opposite bank. I went back the following day to finish it and enjoyed painting the lush foliage growing through the straggly remnants of the previous year’s detritus. I painted quickly and spontaneously, enjoying the subtlety of the colours on the underside of the reflections in the water."
 
Across the seasons, Angie chooses views from quiet or secluded corners of the South Cotswolds -with her particular fondness for its water features. She often cycles to her location and pitches her Lechertier Barbes travelling box easel outside to sketch and paint plein air, finishing the piece back in her studio.
 
These river paintings are reminiscent of the large series of works by Angie which recorded the River Frome from its source to its end point. They are typically vibrant, wiith lively brush strokes and clever observation of shapes, subtle colour changes and shadows. Her preferred medium is oils as she likes the fact that they don’t dry too quickly and are so versatile.