Two Lighthouses Belle Tout to Beachy Head

Print description

View of the picturesque Belle Tout Lighthouse on the chalk cliffs, with the Beachy Head Lighthouse below. A view of these two iconic landmarks of the Sussex coast, framed by the spectacular expanse of the English Channel and the rolling hills that meet the sea in a sharp, dramatic edge.

Belle Tout was first built in 1832 to guide ships, but its clifftop position meant the beam was often lost in sea mist. Threatened by erosion, the entire lighthouse was moved inland in 1999 and now serves as a private residence. The lower Beachy Head Lighthouse, completed in 1902, replaced Belle Tout as the working light. Constructed on the rock shelf below, it once housed keepers but has been fully automated since 1983. Today, Belle Tout and Beachy Head remain enduring symbols of the coastline—one a landmark, the other still guiding vessels at sea.

Print details

To create this print, I start by crafting individual drawings in ink, which collectively form a collage comprising the final piece. I scan my drawings and digitally add colour. The original design solely exists in digital format, and I print it using archival inks and paper. I then release my design as a limited edition print, available in standard ‘A’ sizes, ranging from A0 (84.1 cm x 118.9 cm) to A4 (21 x 29.7 cm).

Artists of the South Downs Way

The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway running along the South Downs in southern England. The trail runs for 160 km from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex.

Many famous artists have been inspired by the special landscape of the South Downs National Park with its chalk hills, river valleys and sandy heaths.

Jane Austen wrote most of her novels including “Pride and Prejudice” in Chawton. Virginia Woolf’s sister and other friends including the artist Duncan Grant, of the Bloomsbury set, lived at Charleston. Ditchling attracted communities of artists and craftspeople, including Eric Gill the lettering designer and sculptor.

Petworth country house and Goodwood both have exceptional collections of paintings and sculpture. William Blake, Joseph Turner and Constable among many others.

The Towner at Eastbourne has a collection of prints and watercolours by Ravilious, Eric Slater and Arthur Ridgen. Pallant House Gallery in Chichester has paintings by 20th century artists such as Ivan Hitchens who painted around Midhurst.

Print description

In the beginning of 2024, I took a delightful stroll from Friston to Exceat through Friston Forest. As I neared the conclusion and departed the hamlet of Westdean in East Sussex—mind you, not West Dean in West Sussex—a steep hill with steps awaited, culminating at a flint wall. The payoff for ascending this hill is the breathtaking vista that unfolds before you.

This artwork captures the essence of one of the UK’s most iconic landscapes: the Cuckmere Valley where it meets the sea. Here, the calm, rolling hills of low grassland blend gracefully with the sea. This sea, a steadfast boundary in our coastal nation, doesn’t hinder but rather acts as a flowing channel, enabling communication and cultural exchange with distant shores

In this spirit, the print draws inspiration from diverse cultural traditions, perhaps echoing the intricate beauty of Asian woodwork or the minimalist elegance of Scandinavian nature depictions. Yet, amidst these influences, it retains a quintessentially English essence, offering a unique perspective on our connection to the land and the wider world.

Print details

To create this print, I start by crafting individual drawings in ink, which collectively form a collage comprising the final piece. I scan my drawings and digitally add colour. The original design solely exists in digital format, and I print it using archival inks and paper. I then release my design as a limited edition print, available in standard ‘A’ sizes, ranging from A0 (84.1 cm x 118.9 cm) to A4 (21 x 29.7 cm).

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