THEME

Figures on a Beach

Richard loved to juxtapose the formality of the three horizontals of sky, sea and shore with the ever-changing human form and the patterns that they make. He also found humour, pathos or spiritual symbolism in the small narratives that emerged.

"The idea of figures on beaches is undoubtedly one of his favourite themes . . . physical types tend to be monumental and pale - sometimes almost ghostly; a coincidence which reinforces the marginal surrealism that occasionally tinges his vision."
Master of Poetic Narrative, 'The Scotsman', May 1977, author: Edward Cage

Beach Scene, Isle of Wight (1965)

Beach Scene, Isle of Wight (1965)

From the turbulent 60s a turbulent picture! the figures seem to be crawling out of the sea or at least a bit too close for comfort to the thrashing waves. I hope one day to see this in colour. [PB]

Anglers, Lepe (1982)

Anglers, Lepe (1982)

A beautiful little picture with the feeling of hazy light coming off the surface. The details are suggested with the merest flick of the brush.

So That Is the Island (1987)

So That Is the Island (1987)

The rather attenuated figures are poised on the beach and the surface of the sea vibrates all round them. Mavis must have come into the studio with a cup of tea and given the picture its memorable name.

354 works in this theme:

Approaching Hail Storm

Approaching Hail Storm (1978)

Watercolour on paper

Container Ship

Container Ship (1978)

Watercolour on paper

Grey Solent

Grey Solent (1978)

Watercolour on paper laid on board

The Red Chair

The Red Chair (c1978)
Shoes on the Beach, Lepe

Shoes on the Beach, Lepe (1978)

Oil on board

Solent

Solent (1978)

Watercolour on paper

Bait Diggers

Bait Diggers (1979)

Oil on board

Beach

Beach (1979)

Pencil on paper

Bike on the Beach

Bike on the Beach (1979)

Oil on board

Breakthrough, Chesil Beach Portland

Breakthrough, Chesil Beach Portland (1978-79)

Oil on board

Deckchairs, Beaulieu River

Deckchairs, Beaulieu River (1979)

Oil on board

The Deck Chair

The Deck Chair (1979)
Figures on a Beach

Figures on a Beach (1979)

Oil on board

Mother and Daughter

Mother and Daughter (1979)

Oil on board

Sail, Dog, Man

Sail, Dog, Man (1979)

Oil on canvas laid on panel

Sea Watchers

Sea Watchers (1979)

Oil on board

Shapes on a Beach

Shapes on a Beach (1979)

Oil on board

Before Six

Before Six (1979)

Pencil on paper

Stormy Evening, Solent

Stormy Evening, Solent (1979)

Oil on board

The Sunshade

The Sunshade (1979)

Oil on board

Sunshade

Sunshade (1979)
The Breakwater

The Breakwater (1979)

Oil on board

Two Girls Trying to Catch a Dog

Two Girls Trying to Catch a Dog (1979)

Oil on board

Barbeque and Fireworks

Barbeque and Fireworks (1980)

Oil on board

Bathers at Lepe

Bathers at Lepe (c1980)

Oil on board

Bathers

Bathers (c1980)
Couple on the Beach

Couple on the Beach (1980)

Oil on board

Cowes Week

Cowes Week (1980)

Oil on board

The Deck Chair

The Deck Chair (c1980)
Evening

Evening (1980)

Oil on board