John Haywood Watercolours

So excited to see my painting as the background to RI exhibition promotional information! Definitely one for the scrapbook! Can’t wait to see this exhibition - it’s always one of my favourites in the calendar!

Last of the pumpkins. Visiting Poynings pumpkin patch is one of our favourite Halloween traditions and has inspired quite a few paintings over the years - this is the latest! Happy Halloween!

Still pinching myself about being selected for this year’s Royal Society of Marine Artists Exhibition! Resting Fleet, Hastings is now framed and ready for its trip to the Mall Galleries. The exhibition runs from 16–26 September. If you’re in London, I’d love you to see it!

I hand delivered Fallen Tree, Stanmer Park to its new owner yesterday. This path is one of their regular walks, and the fallen tree has become “their” tree. So when they saw my painting, there was an immediate connection. I loved hearing that.

Our last campsite in Cornwall. Above Polperro, with this narrow lane providing the route down to the harbour. A bit of a slog on the way back in the heat, but I loved the way the trees formed a natural tunnel around the road. Sometimes the hardest walks make the best paintings.

If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this was the sun-drenched Dordogne! But it’s Cornwall — somewhere between Polperro and Polruan. One of those beautiful country lanes connecting the little bays along the coast. Really pleased with this one.

Delighted to discover today that my watercolour ‘Resting Fleet, Hastings’ has been selected for this year’s Royal Society of Marine Artists exhibition. My first acceptance after entering on and off over several years. A very happy day indeed!

After almost 16 years working at the Uni of Sussex I’ve walked off campus for the final time as an employee. This is my painting of the Meeting House — one of my favourite places on campus. It’s not retirement though! Just time to rest, recharge and see what comes next.

Living in Brighton means the sea is never far away, but I don’t always find beaches the most inspiring of subjects. This scene near Hove Lagoon was all about the light catching the steps - the beach simply provides the setting. Sometimes the supporting act steals the show.

From first sketch to finished painting. This country lane was inspired by a recent exploration near Arundel. Swipe through to see how it developed one stage at a time. Which stage do you prefer - the loose washes or the finished painting?

One of the joys of painting is that it can still surprise you. After years of practice, every so often a painting comes together exactly as you’d hoped. This view of the old bridge at Mill Road, Arundel, was one of those rare moments. 🎨

This bridge near Arundel caught my eye for one reason: composition. It leads you straight into the painting and lets the light and shadows do the talking. It also got me wondering… which bridge has stayed with you longest? Mine might still be Tower Bridge. 🌉🎨

It was too hot to paint outdoors this weekend, so I explored the lanes around Arundel instead. This golden wheat field became today’s studio painting. Funny how the simplest scenes are often the hardest - there’s nowhere to hide when every shape and tone matters. 🌾🎨

Rediscovered this watercolour while looking through some old sketchbooks. Painted from a photograph I took in one of our favourite holiday destinations, Lyme Regis, and it brought back so many memories. Paintings or photographs—which brings a place back most vividly for you?

Delighted to learn today that this watercolour painting has been selected for the 2025 Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colour annual exhibition to be held at London's Mall Galleries! Thanks so much to the selectors, I'm absolutely thrilled!

#NewProfilePic realised that I’d been using the same profile picture from 2011 for years so thought it was time for a change. Differences are that I’m a lot older, even greyer, bigger of beard, about 3 stones heavier and maybe a bit better at painting.

Accidentally knocked a full glass of red wine over my preparatory sketch! Decided to carry on regardless and was quite pleased with how it turned out. It’s certainly much more fragrant than most of my paintings!

A little watercolour sketch of Barcelona to celebrate booking a little holiday there at the end of the month - I can’t wait!

I’ve really been enjoying painting in my sketchbook of late, and removing the tape is always so satisfying! This is a view along the river Thames in London. #watercolour #watercolor #sketchbook

Nice to be able to deliver this painting of Piazza Maggiore in Bologna in person to its new owner who lives near me in Hove!