Plein Air: Steamer Point

RAS Plein air painters are a hardy group. For the first plein air session of the year, they gathered under grey skies and in the face of a gloomy weather forecast at Steamer Point.

Steamer Point is a lovely spot; on a clear day you can see the Isle of Wight in one direction and Hengistbury Head in the other. There is a run of colourful beach huts lining a sandy beach and, of course, the sea. Those who fancied a woodland setting can venture along the path to the nature reserve. Local historians describe it as the place where the stone for Highcliffe Castle was unloaded. The site takes its current name from the steamer boat that was pulled up into a gap in the cliff and wedged between two holly trees in 1830, arranged and paid for by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. It was inhabited by a local family for many years.

Our artists worked on in the teeth of unfriendly weather, finally defeated by persistent drizzle.

Here’s hoping for better weather in May!