Finding inspiration in historical buildings
with TESS NEWALL
Lesson 3 of 32
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Join Tess on a visit to the private chapel at Madresfield Court, a stunning stately home located in the Malvern Hills. Observe exactly how she approaches gathering inspiration, and how she translates this into her work.
From the Lesson Workbook
Finding Inspiration in Historical Buildings
Join me on a visit to the private chapel at Madresfield Court, a stunning stately home located in the Malvern Hills. I'll be showing you how I gather inspiration from visiting historical buildings, and how this might translate into my own painting.
Madresfield Court
Situated in the rolling Worcestershire countryside, Madresfield Court has been passed down through 29 generations of the Lygon family for over 900 years and remains a family home to this day.
The original house was built in the late Medieval times, first appearing in records dating back to 1086. Parts of the current building have their origins in the 16th century, but the majority is the result of an extensive restoration and Victorian reconstruction that took place between 1866 and 1888.
On this particular visit, I'm looking specifically at the private chapel which was decorated in an Arts and Crafts style in 1902 by Birmingham Group artists including Henry Payne. It took 21 years to complete, and depicts the residents of Madresfield Court at the time; William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp, his wife Lady Lettice Grosvenor and their 7 children.
Tips for Finding Inspiration
- Try not to feel overwhelmed by the scale or extravagance of the examples you go to visit. It's not about copying them exactly, but rather noticing general themes or focusing on small sections and details.
- As well as taking photographs, bringing a sketchbook will help you to observe the paintings more closely. You can do quick sketches to interpret what you are seeing, which might spark wider ideas later down the line.
- Look closely at details and think about how they were achieved; the methods that have been used and the reasons why.
Things to Look Out For and Questions to Ask
Colour combinations
Are there unusual pairings? Do they feel complementary or contrasting? Are the tones muted or bright?
Details
Where is the decoration? Is it in places you wouldn't expect? Does the decoration enhance the architecture of the building?
Patterns and motifs
Are they in a hyper-realistic style, or more abstract? Is the repetition exact or more fluid? Has it been painted using a stencil or free hand? Do the patterns vary and why? How does the placement inform the pattern? Are the patterns more graphic or organic?
Further Reading
Madresfield Court
About artist Henry Payne
Your Assignment
Book a visit to a local historical house that is in a style you admire or is from an era that interests you. Take a camera and a sketchbook, and record your observations.
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Your Instructor
Tess Newall
Acclaimed artist and set designer specialising in hand painted homewares and decorative painting.
Tess Newall is a decorative artist based in Sussex, specialising in hand-painted bespoke murals and furniture. Following a decade of experience as a set designer and painter in the film industry, Tess has mastered how to bring a creative vision to life. She often draws on historic patterns and aims to capture an artisanal feel, where textures and brushstrokes add to the atmosphere of a room or to the character of a furniture piece. Tess and her studio team work with interior designers and private clients on bespoke commissions for both commercial and residential projects, as well as collaborating on homewares collections with brands including Liberty and Matilda Goad.
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