Roger Dennis

showcase

Jordan Mill Cottages

Jordan Mill Cottages

Developed from an intensive sketch done in the warmer January days of 1990, this painting completed a year later formed part of my first organised explorations of watercolour techniques.

Watercolour on Paper
51cm x 68cm
River Dart no. 4

River Dart no. 4

Studio version abstracting from sketches done by the River Dart and Webburn near Spitchwick.

Oil on canvas
40cm x 66cm
Painting the Still Life

Painting the Still Life

A quick sketch done during one on my studio classes.

Charcoal on Paper
59cm x 84cm
Blue Face

Blue Face

Acrylic on paper
59cm x 42cm
Dunster, Somerset: Yarn Market, 1980

Dunster, Somerset: Yarn Market, 1980

For sale as printed greetings card A6 size

Pen on Paper

£10.00
Ruined Cottage near Swinecombe 3

Ruined Cottage near Swinecombe 3

What started off as a painting wanted to become a drawing.
The version that for me best captures the atmosphere of the ruin: one of those rare Dartmoor cottages renovators and improvers haven't got their claws into!

Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
38cm x 53cm
INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS poetry collection

INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS poetry collection

54 Poems. A collaboration: each poem of mine is paired with one by musician and poet Steve Day. Published by www.wyldepublications.com

Open Edition
Book; cover image, design, & internal illustrations

£10.00
Dartmoor Dreaming

Dartmoor Dreaming

An invocation of Dartmoor, frontispiece for INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS. "North the bleak wet playground of the Moor/ loamy with fog and ancient history."

Pen on Paper
21cm x 15cm
This is an illustration in ink, drawn with a traditional dip pen with an antique metal nib. It is used as the frontispiece for the book INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS, the collaborative collection of paired poems by Roger Philip Dennis and Steve Day. It illustrates the poem Dartmoor Dreaming by Roger Philip Dennis... "North the bleak wet playground of the Moor / loamy with fog and ancient history…"
In The Full Of The Moon (1)

In The Full Of The Moon (1)

Stippled drawing, an interpretation of the painting 'In The Full Of The Moon,' used as theme for INVOCATIONS AND PROTRAITS. One of 3 variations illustrating separate sections.

Pen on Paper
19cm x 8cm
Red Studio Still Life

Red Studio Still Life

A rambling studio collection including an open book of Matisse and a closed booklet of Cezanne.

Oil on canvas
51cm x 86cm
Still Life with Jug, Onions, Fruit

Still Life with Jug, Onions, Fruit

Acrylic on paper
42cm x 58.5cm
Still Life with Fruit

Still Life with Fruit

Oil on canvas
Still Life Textures

Still Life Textures

Watercolour on Paper
37cm x 54cm
Sold
Blue jug with yellow background

Blue jug with yellow background

Studio still life.

Oil on canvas
53cm x 41cm
Daffodils in kilner jar

Daffodils in kilner jar

Acrylic on paper
40cm x 58cm
Red Block Abstract

Red Block Abstract

Oil paint applied thickly to hardboard on cradle, using a pallet knife, wet into wet, and then layered dry, with some scratching through.

Oil on Board
45cm x 47cm
Painting in Red and Yellow

Painting in Red and Yellow

One of the few pieces that did not start with a particular sketch of a specific place or object.
An exploration of the spaces formed by our experience of our environment and landscape. Working with balance and almost-symmetries and texture of paint.

Oil on canvas
60cm x 92cm
Exploration of space and symmetry within grids that aren't quite grids, texture of worked paint to give variety of focus, a painted in red, as the complementary opposite colour to green the predominate landscape colour in the painter's environment. Using tone and colour to push back or pull forward, marks and texture to both arrest and stimulate movement in all dimensions.
Dart River Study 6

Dart River Study 6

Pastel on Paper
Sold
Dart River Abstract 2

Dart River Abstract 2

Oil on canvas
30cm x 30cm
Fish-'n'-Flowers #1

Fish-'n'-Flowers #1

First completed version of flowers in blue pottery jugs done in wet-in-wet watercolour technique on well soaked paper.

Watercolour on Paper
56cm x 76cm
Sold
This painting was done on completely wet paper, giving very soft blurry shapes at first, then gradually, as paper dried, adding more defined detail. This helps to fade out background objects, so the two jugs contrast in focus depth. The trickiest bit maybe was getting the orange streaks in the blue iris blooms.
Flowers and Fishjug 2

Flowers and Fishjug 2

Watercolour on Paper
76cm x 55cm
Basket of Fruit, or, A Ripe Pair of Plums

Basket of Fruit, or, A Ripe Pair of Plums

Quick water-colour "drawing" of fruit still life struck by sunlight falling through the window

Watercolour on Paper
20cm x 26cm
Sold
Hound Tor Sketch

Hound Tor Sketch

Drawing done on site with charcoal and white conte on grey paper. Part of the Hound Tor from the North Through Trees series of sketches, studies, and abstracts

Charcoal on Paper
33cm x 46cm
Drawing done on site with charcoal and white conte on grey paper. Part of the Hound Tor from the North Through Trees series of sketches, studies, and abstracts
Hound Tor From The North

Hound Tor From The North

Giclée print available

Gouache
28cm x 40.5cm
Hound Tor Abstract

Hound Tor Abstract

Based on the northern approach to a popular Dartmoor feature. Outcome of a long series of site sketches and studio studies, some of which are available in this portfolio.

Oil on canvas
40.5cm x 71cm
Emsworthy Gate Winter

Emsworthy Gate Winter

Oil on canvas
89cm x 122cm

£1,200.00 Framed
Large oil painting done on primed paper maflouaged onto canvas. Animated expressive brushstrokes for winter wind, frost and dead bracken, sparkling in winter sunshine. The gate is on a "permissive" path through Emsworthy fields behind Saddle Tor, near Hay Tor and the Becka Brook in Dartmoor.
Emsworthy Gate Abstract

Emsworthy Gate Abstract

Culmination of series of sketches, studies and paintings.
Gold light of winter, looming shapes, net of textures.

Oil on canvas
57cm x 67cm
Dart River site sketch 2

Dart River site sketch 2

Watercolour on Paper
River Dart study 3

River Dart study 3

Oil on canvas
River Dart abstract study

River Dart abstract study

Pastel on Paper
42cm x 58cm
Challacombe

Challacombe

View from near the road across fields of Challacombe Down and farm in winter. Thorn trees and old field-walls.

Original
Oil on canvas
61cm x 81cm

£650.00
Can be seen at Blue Indigo Gallery
Blue Wall [Between Walls, Between Tors]

Blue Wall [Between Walls, Between Tors]

Dartmoor view from Blackslade Down looking to Hamel Down over Widdicombe church and Blackslade farm. Giclée print available.

Original
Oil on canvas
91cm x 123cm

£2,500.00 Framed
Dartmoor view from Blackslade Down looking to Hamel Down over Widdicombe church and Blackslade. Patches of sun and cloud scurrying over fields and moor. Blue shadow on grey walls against dazzle of sun behind a gate.
Large study for Devon Field

Large study for Devon Field

Gouache
60cm x 84cm
Purple Grazer [Hay Tor, Dartmoor]

Purple Grazer [Hay Tor, Dartmoor]

Oils. Strong colour dragged over warm-tinted ground, using ground strongly.
View of Hay Tor from the Saddle Tor and Ashburton road approach.
Giclée print available.

Oil on canvas
61cm x 76.2cm
Featuring Dartmoor colours, winter sun, wind, cold, stones, heather, bracken, fields, trees, and small farms or ruined cottages glinting in sunshine or disappearing in cloud-shadow.
Apple Tree May in Parke

Apple Tree May in Parke

Painted on the spot, direct interaction with light and colour, apple blossom and spring weather. The colour on wood fence as important as the blossom.

Oil on Board
Dartmoor Lane

Dartmoor Lane

Acrylic on paper
42cm x 60cm
Abstract oclusion

Abstract oclusion

Acrylic on paper
Red Studio Still Life

Red Studio Still Life

A rambling studio collection including an open book of Matisse and a closed booklet of Cezanne.

Oil on canvas
51cm x 86cm
Purple Grazer [Hay Tor, Dartmoor]

Purple Grazer [Hay Tor, Dartmoor]

Oils. Strong colour dragged over warm-tinted ground, using ground strongly.
View of Hay Tor from the Saddle Tor and Ashburton road approach.
Giclée print available.

Oil on canvas
61cm x 76.2cm
Featuring Dartmoor colours, winter sun, wind, cold, stones, heather, bracken, fields, trees, and small farms or ruined cottages glinting in sunshine or disappearing in cloud-shadow.
Dartmoor Lane

Dartmoor Lane

Acrylic on paper
42cm x 60cm
Hound Tor from the north sketch

Hound Tor from the north sketch

A sketch painted among the scratch of heather, gorse, myrtle as a rain threatens. Holly trees adding only an illusion of shelter.

Watercolour on Paper
20cm x 25cm
House On The Moor

House On The Moor

Acrylic on canvas
91cm x 120cm
River Dart no. 4

River Dart no. 4

Studio version abstracting from sketches done by the River Dart and Webburn near Spitchwick.

Oil on canvas
40cm x 66cm
Study for Dartmoor Grazer (Haytor)

Study for Dartmoor Grazer (Haytor)

Watercolour, Indian Ink, and Oil Pastel used as resist

Mixed Media
40cm x 50cm
Challacombe

Challacombe

View from near the road across fields of Challacombe Down and farm in winter. Thorn trees and old field-walls.

Original
Oil on canvas
61cm x 81cm

£650.00
Can be seen at Blue Indigo Gallery
Hound Tor Abstract

Hound Tor Abstract

Based on the northern approach to a popular Dartmoor feature. Outcome of a long series of site sketches and studio studies, some of which are available in this portfolio.

Oil on canvas
40.5cm x 71cm
Large study for Devon Field

Large study for Devon Field

Gouache
60cm x 84cm
Ruined Cottage near Swinecombe 3

Ruined Cottage near Swinecombe 3

What started off as a painting wanted to become a drawing.
The version that for me best captures the atmosphere of the ruin: one of those rare Dartmoor cottages renovators and improvers haven't got their claws into!

Acrylic and charcoal on canvas
38cm x 53cm
INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS poetry collection

INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS poetry collection

54 Poems. A collaboration: each poem of mine is paired with one by musician and poet Steve Day. Published by www.wyldepublications.com

Open Edition
Book; cover image, design, & internal illustrations

£10.00
Dartmoor Dreaming

Dartmoor Dreaming

The frontispiece of INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS that reflects the Dartmoor setting of several of the poems. Tors, trees, and heathy scrub, bracken and gorse.

Pen on Paper
Painting in Red and Yellow

Painting in Red and Yellow

One of the few pieces that did not start with a particular sketch of a specific place or object.
An exploration of the spaces formed by our experience of our environment and landscape. Working with balance and almost-symmetries and texture of paint.

Oil on canvas
60cm x 92cm
Exploration of space and symmetry within grids that aren't quite grids, texture of worked paint to give variety of focus, a painted in red, as the complementary opposite colour to green the predominate landscape colour in the painter's environment. Using tone and colour to push back or pull forward, marks and texture to both arrest and stimulate movement in all dimensions.
Border Crossing

Border Crossing

Inspired by Jennie Osbourne's poem, "Border Crossing," exhibited in Teignmouth Poetry Festival 2017 "Borders" Poetry-&-Art Event

Charcoal on Paper
43cm x 74cm
Sold
Border Crossing: a group of men scan the harbour front for boats going out or coming in (who knows!) Meanwhile work of all sorts carries on, boat mending, carrying in supplies, but perhaps the mos tserious is the waiting...
Flowers and Fishjug

Flowers and Fishjug

Wet-in-wet watercolour painting. Some dry edges. A follow-on from "Fish-'n'-Flowers."

Watercolour on Paper
53cm x 74cm

£650.00
View from Aspiran Hill

View from Aspiran Hill

A collage with additional pastel, one of the earliest interpretations of the 'motif', following several sketches, and preceding more naturalistic large pastel, watercolour, and oil versions. Not for sale.

Collage with pastel
40cm x 57cm
Steps in Dartington Hall Gardens

Steps in Dartington Hall Gardens

From the green sketchbook. A disciplined site sketch done with three pre-diluted ink washes, neat ink, brush and pen.

Indian ink wash and line
20cm x 28cm
Emsworthy Gate Study

Emsworthy Gate Study

Oil on Board
26cm x 38cm

£300.00
Our Lady of Staverton

Our Lady of Staverton

Sketch of the figure carved by Dougie Rouse that used to stand in Staverton churchyard. Reproduced as the cover design of INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS poetry collaboration.

Watercolour and Ink
18cm x 14cm
This carving used to stand at the end of Staverton churchyard, and the sketch was done standing in the lane that leads down to the river Dart, looking up through the hedge. It was carved out of a standing tree sump by Dougie Rouse, and, as untreated, has gone the way of natural tree-stumps...
Ker-Boom!

Ker-Boom!

Alternative version of the drawing accompanying the opening section "Invocations - Overtures." Black-and-white contrasts, whereas the book version uses more textures.

Pen on Paper
21cm x 15cm
In The Full Of The Moon

In The Full Of The Moon

The painting source of the "theme" for illustrations in INVOCATIONS AND PORTRAITS

Acrylic on paper
Sold
Studio Still Life Blue version

Studio Still Life Blue version

Gouache
51cm x 86cm
Still Life with Knife

Still Life with Knife

Acrylic on paper
40cm x 28.5cm
Still Life with Window

Still Life with Window

Still Life and Landscape painted in a limited palette.

Oil on canvas
61cm x 77cm
Still Life and Landscape painted in a limited palette of neutral orange and greyed blue mixes from 3 primary paints plus white. Winter warmth outside, cold concentration inside: with much needed coffee pot and bottles of fortification....
Pears

Pears

Acrylic on paper
Trees and Fields (sleeping figure)

Trees and Fields (sleeping figure)

Abstract landscape of trees, plouged and grass field with gate. Shapes of a reclining figure is hinted at.

Oil on canvas
59.6cm x 96cm

£1,200.00
A series of paintings done of a view in Dartington, Devon featuring woods and fields on a hill side. Developed into an abstract where the central field enclosed by woods and hedge suggests part of reclining figure, a presence or essence or mood of the environment.
The Flood

The Flood

Abstract study in black, white and yellow ochre. Exceptional in being more about an idea than a particular space and place.

Original
Acrylic on paper
36cm x 33cm

£450.00 Framed
Abstract in Primaries

Abstract in Primaries

Acrylic on canvas
92cm x 122cm
Path Through The Woods

Path Through The Woods

Acrylic on board
108cm x 78cm
Flowers and Fishjug

Flowers and Fishjug

Wet-in-wet watercolour painting. Some dry edges. A follow-on from "Fish-'n'-Flowers."

Watercolour on Paper
53cm x 74cm

£650.00
Flowers with striped cloth and orange #1

Flowers with striped cloth and orange #1

Watercolour on Paper
30cm x 21cm
Sold
Pot and Apple

Pot and Apple

Watercolour on Paper
22cm x 18cm
Hound Tor from the north sketch

Hound Tor from the north sketch

A sketch painted among the scratch of heather, gorse, myrtle as a rain threatens. Holly trees adding only an illusion of shelter.

Watercolour on Paper
20cm x 25cm
Hound Tor Yellow and Blue

Hound Tor Yellow and Blue

Studio study from sketches done on Dartmoor.

Giclée print available

Acrylic over charcoal on paper
38cm x 58.5cm
First sketch of Emsworthy Gate, winter

First sketch of Emsworthy Gate, winter

A quick watercolour while the frost was still on the path.

Watercolour on Paper
14.5cm x 20cm
Emsworthy Gate Study

Emsworthy Gate Study

Oil on Board
26cm x 38cm

£300.00
River Dart field study

River Dart field study

Watercolour on Paper
River Dart study 1

River Dart study 1

Oil on canvas
River Dart no. 4

River Dart no. 4

Studio version abstracting from sketches done by the River Dart and Webburn near Spitchwick.

Oil on canvas
40cm x 66cm
Dartington Swan and Azaleas

Dartington Swan and Azaleas

Dartington Hall Gardens, late Spring. Sun-caught azaleas against the cool shade of large trees and the sound of water tinkling in Sukop's ambiguous double-swan fountain.

Original
Oil on Paper on Board
33cm x 48.5cm

£450.00 Framed
Dartington Hall Gardens, late Spring. Sun-caught azaleas against the cool shade of large trees and the sound of water tinkling in Sukop's ambiguous double-swan fountain.
Ruined Cottage, Swincombe

Ruined Cottage, Swincombe

A dwelling well on the return to nature, more of a tor than architecture, a conglomeration of stone and trees.
Sienna and Ochre, braced with blue.

Oil on Paper
35.5cm x 48.3cm

£250.00 Framed
Cottage on Dartmoor

Cottage on Dartmoor

Based on a sketch done at Jordan Mill - with artistic licence as to the architecture, to increase the atmosphere of a dwelling buried in the wilds of a Dartmoor valley.

Acrylic on canvas
95cm x 120cm
Based on a sketch done at Jordan Mill - with artistic licence as to the architecture, to increase the atmosphere of a dwelling buried in the wilds of a Dartmoor valley.
Autumn in the Valley, Dartmoor

Autumn in the Valley, Dartmoor

A Dartmoor valley, beside a small stream in autumn.

Gouache
58.5cm x 41cm
A view of a Dartmoor valley, a footpath winding along a small brook or stream, through bracken and heather and small trees, with rowan [the mountain ash] bright with red berries. White clouds scurrying across a windy but deep blue sky.
Estuary

Estuary

Acrylic on paper
Dartmoor gate in the Rain

Dartmoor gate in the Rain

Watercolour over charcoal
29cm x 42cm
Painting in Red and Yellow

Painting in Red and Yellow

One of the few pieces that did not start with a particular sketch of a specific place or object.
An exploration of the spaces formed by our experience of our environment and landscape. Working with balance and almost-symmetries and texture of paint.

Oil on canvas
60cm x 92cm
Exploration of space and symmetry within grids that aren't quite grids, texture of worked paint to give variety of focus, a painted in red, as the complementary opposite colour to green the predominate landscape colour in the painter's environment. Using tone and colour to push back or pull forward, marks and texture to both arrest and stimulate movement in all dimensions.
Emsworthy Abstract

Emsworthy Abstract

Original: oil on canvas, 57 x 67 cm

Limited Edition
33cm x 48.5cm

£60.00
Still Life with Fruit

Still Life with Fruit

Oil on canvas
Blue Wall [Between Walls, Between Tors]

Blue Wall [Between Walls, Between Tors]

Dartmoor view from Blackslade Down looking to Hamel Down over Widdicombe church and Blackslade farm. Giclée print available.

Original
Oil on canvas
91cm x 123cm

£2,500.00 Framed
Dartmoor view from Blackslade Down looking to Hamel Down over Widdicombe church and Blackslade. Patches of sun and cloud scurrying over fields and moor. Blue shadow on grey walls against dazzle of sun behind a gate.
Hound Tor Yellow and Blue

Hound Tor Yellow and Blue

Studio study from sketches done on Dartmoor.

Giclée print available

Acrylic over charcoal on paper
38cm x 58.5cm
Parke Orachard in May

Parke Orachard in May

Acrylic on paper
Ruined Cottage, Swincombe

Ruined Cottage, Swincombe

A dwelling well on the return to nature, more of a tor than architecture, a conglomeration of stone and trees.
Sienna and Ochre, braced with blue.

Oil on Paper
35.5cm x 48.3cm

£250.00 Framed
Below Saddle Tor

Below Saddle Tor

Acrylic on paper
38cm x 53cm
Dartmoor Field study 2

Dartmoor Field study 2

Hound Tor in the distance. Bowerman's Nose slightly less distant behind us to left

Oil on Paper
30cm x 42cm
Hound Tor From The North

Hound Tor From The North

Giclée print available

Gouache
28cm x 40.5cm
River Dart field study

River Dart field study

Watercolour on Paper
Yarner corner

Yarner corner

Mixed Media on paper