Nun’s Bridge. Painting #27. An Early Original Oil Painting Inspired by a Riverside Walk.

Nun’s Bridge was painting #27 in my oil painting journey—and another early original oil painting. I didn’t follow along with any Joy of Painting episode for this one; it came straight from a place I’d walked, seen, and wanted to preserve in paint.

Around this time, I was venturing into new techniques and exploring lessons from a variety of artists. I had also started dabbling in original compositions of my own. Unlike my other early original oil paintings Nunnery Lakes or Little Ouse, which were painted from other’s photos, this one was inspired by a photo I snapped with my phone near where I lived in Thetford, England. And yep—surprise—it’s another spot I used to frequent on dog walks.

I’ve taken countless mental snapshots of this spot over time, studying it from all different angles. I knew I wanted to paint it—I just needed the right reference. I snapped dozens of photos around here across different seasons, trying to catch the mood I had in mind. The clock was ticking too, since I was getting close to leaving England. This is one of many pieces drawn from that quiet little town in Norfolk that left its mark on me.

This isn’t one of my stronger pieces, at least in my opinion. It’s not terrible, but I’ve always felt it could’ve been better. Looking back, I wonder if it might’ve worked better on a black canvas, or with a different approach altogether. The standard Ross techniques didn’t quite translate here the way I’d hoped. What bugs me most is the water—the river just didn’t come together. I probably should’ve kept it simpler.
That said, I do like the little duck in the bottom right corner. Small win.

In the end, I sold this one to a friend before he left England—he wanted something to remember the local area by. So while it didn’t turn out as well as some of my other originals, I wouldn’t call it a failure. Sometimes you just have to take the shot. I’d like to revisit this scene someday and see what a different version might reveal

If this riverside memory stirred something in you, I’d love to hear it. Whether you’ve painted your own version of a familiar walk or just have questions about the process, drop a comment below.

Curious about more of my early works or how this journey has unfolded? You’ll find plenty more paintings—and some quieter lessons—across the blog and on my social media.

Thanks for stopping by, and as always—

Happy Painting!