Cass Art - Paint Out

Paint Out Cambridge 2019 Artist Awards & Prizewinning Paintings

20 May 2019 by Paint Out

Judge James Horton and James Colman presenting Watercolour and Mixed Media winner Susanna Field with her first prize

The inaugural Paint Out Cambridge took place this week and saw over 140 paintings created, each in under 3 hours, across the days and early evenings of 13-15 May. Some 30 plein air artists took to the streets of Cambridge painting its classic colleges, beautiful bridges, meandering River Cam and idyllic meadows with cows, geese and swans, the bustling Market Square, canal boats, punts and of course, bicycles, everywhere.

Andrew Horrod with his First Prize in Acrylics painting of Portugal Street at Paint Out Cambrideg 2019 — Andrew Horrod with his First Prize in Acrylics painting of Portugal Street at Paint Out Cambridge

The successful outdoor art event, run in Norfolk since 2014, finally arrived in Cambridge – aided by partnering with Cheffins Fine Art, whose head of paintings, Sarah Flynn, acted as one of the event judges.

Cass Art donated art vouchers for all participants and the three category winners took home £350 each as well as a box of Cass Art supplies. Artist Robert Nelmes won in Oils, Andrew Horrod in Acrylics, and Susanna Field in Watercolours and Mixed Media.

Artist Sarah Allbrook winning a judge's commendation at Paint Out Cambridge 2019 — Artist Sarah Allbrook winning a judge’s commendation at Paint Out Cambridge 2019

Judge’s honourable mentions and £100 each went to Stephen Johnston, David Wood, and Sarah Allbrook who also sold 5 paintings at the Private View. Dan Llywelyn Hall was noted in dispatches for his imaginative artworks and titling, and the Spirit of Cambridge and £100 went to Alice Thomson for the energy and vibrancy of her illustrative works which also sold well. The paintings were shown at Cheffins Fine Art on Clifton Road until 17 May and a number will be available online at Paint Out Cambridge 2019 gallery.

The artists painted around Cambridge at some of the many locations on this map, taking in ‘town and gown’, the city market and spires, colleges, and countryside on your doorstep that exists along the Backs, greens, ‘pieces’, meadows and fens.

James Colman presenting First Prize in Oils to artist Robert Nelmes — James Colman presenting First Prize in Oils to Robert Nelmes

The winning paintings featured Gonville and Caius College (Robert Nelmes), twilight on King’s Parade (Susanna Field), and Portugal Street from Jesus Green (Andrew Horrod).

The judges were allowed their own personal commendations with London artist Alice Hall choosing Stephen Johnston’s ‘View from the Master’s Garden’ at Trinity looking towards Kitchen Bridge, St John’s College. Local artist and writer James Horton selected local Cambridge artist David Wood’s classic watercolour of Westcott House on Jesus Lane. Head of paintings at Cheffins Fine Art, Sarah Flynn – who also judged at the long-running Paint Out Norwich competition last year, chose Cambridge-based artist Sarah Allbrook’s view south on the River Cam from Garret Hostel Bridge.

Artist Alice Thomson being presented with the Spirit of Cambridge Prize at POC2019

The Spirit of Cambridge award won by Girton-based artist Alice Thomson featured Magdalene Bridge with its punts, bicycles and the views towards Magdalene College and St Giles (Parish of the Ascension) on the slight hill on the horizon – our hospitable hub for the week of painting.

Paint Out is grateful for the packed turnout at the Private View on Thursday 16 May and warm welcome received in the city of Cambridge, particularly from the council when our artists were massed around the Market on Wednesday. Hopefully, Paint Out Cambridge 2019 will just be our first foray into this fascinating city and see us return, perhaps next year.

We have other art events beginning 26 May through to October scheduled in Norfolk historic gardens, at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, and at the Holt Festival. Artists can enter any or all of these to continue to push and present their plein air practice to interested art lovers with a growing interest in and respect of the plein air painting tradition.

Paint Out Cambridge 13-17 May 2019

9 May 201912 April 2019 by Paint Out

Artist Sarah Allbrook, February sunshine on King’s Parade

Paint Out comes to Cambridge

The inaugural Paint Out Cambridge takes place 13-17 May in partnership with Cheffins Fine Art. Dozens of experienced plein air artists used to working on the streets will paint Cambridge’s classic colleges, chapels and beautiful bridges, River Cam, Market Square and other views as seen on this map.

Clare Hall and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, from the Banks of the River Cam, JMW Turner, 1793 — Clare Hall and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, JMW Turner, 1793

Founded in 2014, the immersive outdoor art event has already run a dozen events across Norfolk and Suffolk and has been keen to come to Cambridge for a while. Partnering with Cheffins Fine Art has finally made this possible and the Paint Out team are excited to be running the competition, encouraging artists to capture and immortalise Cambridge’s iconic views.

Who could resist a city that drew JMW Turner to its banks to paint Clare Hall and King’s College Chapel, whilst also being home to the Fitzwilliam and Kettle’s Yard and a series of famous art collections at several Cambridge colleges?

“Cambridge has long been on our radar but with new partners Cheffins Fine Art now on board, the realisation of a central exhibition venue as well as other potential sponsors lining up to host various parts of the Paint Out, we see this is an event that will have multiple opportunities for artists to paint both town and gown in one of the most vibrant and fast-growing cities in the UK.” – James Colman, founder of Paint Out

Artist Sarah Allbrook painting plein air, February sunshine on King’s Parade, Cambridge

Home to the Cambridge School of Art (now part of Anglia Ruskin University) and the Cambridge Drawing Society the team from Paint Out are keen to see local and national artists casting their creative eyes over the city and bringing their art skills to bear in classical and contemporary styles and various media that can be applied to canvas.

Artists can enter and find out more through our website www.paintout.events.

Sarah Flynn, head of paintings at Cheffins, said:

“Following the plein air painting event’s success at Paint Out, Norwich, last year, we are excited to support Paint-Out’s inaugural competition in Cambridge. Cambridge has long been an inspiration for artists such as Gwen Raverat, Edwin La Dell and Elisabeth Vellacott and with its iconic and world-recognised architecture and views such as the Mathematical Bridge, King’s College, Rose Crescent and The Backs, we are sure that it will provide endless inspiration for the artists taking part. Plein air painting is an essential part of learning to paint landscape from life and anything to encourage its proliferation within the artistic community is well supported. As the leading fine art auction house in the region, Cheffins is proud to support art events locally and is pleased to support the growth of Paint Out throughout East Anglia.”

The juried painting competition is open to amateur and professional artists alike and features 3-hour and 2-hour painting sessions around the city in full public view during the days and evenings (‘nocturnes’) of 13-15 May. Three eminent judges from the world of fine art (Sarah Flynn, Alice Hall, James Horton) will select the winning pieces with circa £2,000 worth of prizes awarded at the Private View and Awards evening at Cheffins on Clifton Road, on the 16 May (more information email pv@paintoutcambridge.org). The finished artworks will remain on display until 17 May and typically range in price from £150-£850.

Paint Out Cambridge 2019 Judges

Sarah Flynn is Associate Director of Fine Art and Head of Paintings at Cheffins. As an auctioneer and valuer she also once discovered a Rembrandt lying in a homeless charity’s box and secured them £1000s for their work at auction by spotting it. Sarah was a judge at Paint Out Norwich 2018.

Alice Hall is an en plein air painter focusing on landscapes. When she sets out to paint, she looks more like a vagrant than an artist: Wearing many warming layers of paint-encrusted clothing and carrying a rucksack full with paints, pallets, brushes and much more essential clobber besides. She sets up her impromptu studio and starts to work, first sketching the composition and then building up areas of colour. The aim being to capture character and mood, while being truthful to the subject. “Hall sets out to distill that moment when even the mundane can be magical. As you look at her paintings, you can travel to another land too.” – Rachel Campbell Johnston, Art Critic, The Times

James Horton works continually from life whether at Portraits, landscapes or interiors. Since leaving the Royal College of Art in 1974, the Cambridge based artist has travelled, worked and exhibited on location all over the world. Since 2000, he has concentrated on trips to India, Tuscany, North Africa and Jordan. His plein air work is rarely adjusted back in the studio, preserving the essence of time and place. He has written numerous books including the well known ‘Pastel techniques’ (Chrysalis) and ‘An Introduction to Drawing’ (DK in association with The Royal Academy).

Artist Sarah Allbrook, Boathouses on the Cam, Midsummer Common

Sponsorship, Partnering & Support

13 October 201923 June 2017 by Paint Out

Sponsorship & Partnering with Paint Out

Paint Out is put on and sustained by art-loving founders and team members – some paid, some volunteers, with the aim of supporting the growth of plein air art and engaging the public with a live art experience. To achieve and maintain this we are indebted to our partners and sponsors who have provided funds, prizes, or goods and services-in-kind. If you would like to partner or sponsor current and/or future ‘paint outs’ please contact us. You will get coverage on our 120,000+ views website and our 10,000 social media followers.

You can download our sponsor and partner documents here:

Paint Out Brochure | Headline Sponsor | Prizes Sponsor | Web & Press Metrics

Paint Out 2019

In 2019, Paint Out is keen to renew and extend its sponsor agreements with businesses, arts sector, and other organisations looking to support creative and visual arts, education, and Norfolk and Suffolk heritage sites. Please download the above files and contact us if you are interested.

Paint Out Cambridge welcomes the principal sponsor support and partnership with Cheffins Fine Art at our inaugural event in the county of Cambridgeshire.

Several Paint Out events in 2019 will also see art material sponsorship and prizes donated by Cass Art who have been very generous in the past to Paint Out events and artists.

The Paint Out Garden Series taking place at 6 locations across Norfolk is grateful for repeat sponsor Leathes Prior Solicitors.

Paint Out 2018

First Prize winning artist Robert Nelmes painting blacksmiths at Paint Out RNS17 under the Leathes Prior sponsor's umbrella — *First Prize-winning artist Robert Nelmes painting at Paint Out RNS17 under the Leathes Prior sponsor’s umbrella*

Paint Out 2018 was especially grateful for renewed sponsorship support from Leathes Prior Solicitors. Read their announcement here.

Paint Out continues to appreciate the support of The Point with some of our printing needs.

Paint Out Norwich, RNS, and Wells 2017

Paint Out Wells 2017 was sponsored for a third year by Hopkins Homes. Paint Out Norwich 2017 saw repeat sponsorship by Strutt & Parker, and Archant, the extension of Leathes Prior Solicitors support, and materials prizes supplied by Cass Art and Norwich Art Supplies. Paint Out also appreciates its other partners, supporters and suppliers including: The Albatros, Anteros Arts, Arnolds Keys Auctioneers, Arts RoundUp, Dandis Clothing, Hostry Festival, Hussey Knights, Norwich Cathedral, RNAA’s Royal Norfolk Show, Service Point UK, The Point, Wells Congregational Hall, & Zesty Design.

Sponsors of Paint Out 2017 - Hopkins Homes, Strutt & Parker, Leathes Prior, Cass Art, Archant — Sponsors of Paint Out 2017 – Hopkins Homes, Strutt & Parker, Leathes Prior, Cass Art, Archant, as well as partners & suppliers

Paint Out at the Royal Norfolk Show 2017

In 2017, Paint Out was invited to bring its live art experience painting event to the Royal Norfolk Show, 28-29 June. We were extremely appreciative of our marquee and hospitality fizz sponsors Leathes Prior Solicitors and for our art auction and leaflet printing by Arnolds Keys Auctioneers and Estate Agents. We were also grateful to the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) for the invite and their support. Archant sponsored a “Best in Show” art prize and Norwich Art Supplies our “Spirit of Plein Air Award”. For keeping our artists lubricated with cordial and water we are thankful to the Queens Road, Brazen Gate, Sainsbury’s Superstore.

Paint Out Norwich and Wells 2016

Paint Out Wells 2016 saw primary sponsorship from Hopkins Homes, Sowerbys, and Archant.

Paint Out Norwich 2016 had as primary sponsor Strutt & Parker, along with La Ronde Wright, Sowerbys, and Archant. Our arts event partners include the Hostry Festival and our hubs – Anteros Arts Foundation and North Cafe Bar.

Supporting & Volunteering Opportunities

Paint Out is thankful for the hard work of its volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering for our current ‘paint outs’, assisting artists, helping manage the registration desks and paintings, and being part of our arts events can register online or join our volunteers facebook group. It looks great on a CV!

Volunteer at Paint Out

Paint Out History

Paint Out Norwich launched in 2014 and since then well over 100 different artists have taken part in our professional competitions and over 120 in our public paint outs. Our first satellite painting event was Wells-next-the Sea 2015 on the North Norfolk coast. That year also saw first-of-its-kind mass public ‘paint outs’ firstly on Wells Beach at sunrise and then, the following month, of some 100 artists, of all ages, painting the expansive Norwich skyline, from historic Mousehold Heath. 2015 also saw our first Nocturne – nighttime painting event. 2016 saw artists taking to canoes and 2017 to an open-top double-decker bus, as well as painting live at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Mission statement

Paint Out is a multifaceted live experience arts festival that aims to attract national and international talent by its annual events that focus on the challenges imposed by creating work ‘on the spot’ in the urban environment. Paint Out is keen to see a competition that tests artists’ skill and craft to the maximum, promoting the burgeoning UK arts scene, and providing an interactive educational experience. Our expanding events have included schools, public, and professional art competitions, artwork exhibitions and auctions, talks, “Artist’s Question Time”, and open air art workshops.