WIN a watercolour original of Hedingham Castle

James Merriott continues his watercolour tour of the county with a selection of his favourite Essex scenes drawn from his extensive archives

Great British Life: ALL SAINTS CHURCH HUTTON Not as difficult as you may think. Although drawing skill is necessary, all the snow is shown by leaving the white paper. ALL SAINTS CHURCH HUTTON Not as difficult as you may think. Although drawing skill is necessary, all the snow is shown by leaving the white paper. (Image: Archant)

This month, with the restrictions of Covid-19 still apparent, I have made up a collection of views from some of my favourite locations around the county.

Great British Life: HUTTON PARK BLUEBELL WOOD A watercolour depicting late Spring. Only rarely do I use white paint, but it helped to highlight the distant bluebells. HUTTON PARK BLUEBELL WOOD A watercolour depicting late Spring. Only rarely do I use white paint, but it helped to highlight the distant bluebells. (Image: Archant)

Two of these watercolours I completed from my home village of Hutton and two from further afield, the much-loved Upminster Windmill and the fabulous Vale of Dedham.

Great British Life: HYLANDS HOUSE An Essex icon, once filmed as the White House for a feature film. More figures were used than I usually add to my watercolours, fills the foreground space. HYLANDS HOUSE An Essex icon, once filmed as the White House for a feature film. More figures were used than I usually add to my watercolours, fills the foreground space. (Image: Archant)

Together with the other Essex highlights, all were completed (without leaving home) from photographs I retained through 15 years of sublime travels painting for Essex Life magazine.

Great British Life: ULTING CHURCH, RIVER CHELMER Walk along the beautiful south bank to experience this stunning view of All Saints Church reflected in the tranquil river. ULTING CHURCH, RIVER CHELMER Walk along the beautiful south bank to experience this stunning view of All Saints Church reflected in the tranquil river. (Image: Archant)

All watercolours were painted on handmade paper from le Moulin de la Rouzique in France, purchased some 30 years ago.

Great British Life: UPMINSTER WINDMILL Autumn trees compliment the much loved windmill, now part of Greater London. Local windmill lovers will always regard it an Essex Mill. UPMINSTER WINDMILL Autumn trees compliment the much loved windmill, now part of Greater London. Local windmill lovers will always regard it an Essex Mill. (Image: Archant)

Very absorbent and with a very rough texture, the paper can be difficult to work on, but also provides some beautiful results at times.

I simply loved the challenge of the difficulties and my head was full of ideas of how to go about producing this feature. I selected various seasons from throughout the year, while some I left void of figures and some I added more people than I usually do.

Great British Life: VALE OF DEDHAM It was so easy to select some of my favourite Essex places. The fabulous Vale of Dedham in summer was my priority. VALE OF DEDHAM It was so easy to select some of my favourite Essex places. The fabulous Vale of Dedham in summer was my priority. (Image: Archant)