En Plein Air Session in Barnstaple

This event forms part of a series of En Plein Air sessions taking place on Saturdays throughout August to accompany our summer exhibition, Sir Alfred Munnings: Exmoor Through the Seasons.

The lead artist will give a short demo at the start of each session and be on hand to offer guidance throughout.

En Plein Air: Sketch Outdoors with artist, Richard Towers
Meeting point: Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
Date: Saturday 1 August
Time: 10am-12.30pm
Cost: £10 (£45 for all five sessions)

Itinerary
Starting at 10am in the ‘Munnings on Exmoor’ exhibition, then fanning out along the Barnstaple riverside to sketch, ending with a friendly review of the sketches produced back in museum at 12.15pm.

What to bring
Please bring your own art materials – see below – and dress appropriately for the weather. A hat will be essential for shielding your eyes from the sun. Sessions will take place come rain or shine!

Suggested materials for sketching:
Sketchbook or paper clipped/ taped on to a drawing board
Your choice of sketching materials – pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolour paints/brushes, pen and ink, etc.

Suggested materials for painting in watercolour:
Watercolour palette – with at least a red, blue and yellow
Watercolour paper – loose sheets on a board, or a pad
Water container and water bottle
Watercolour brushes – varying sizes
Tissues
Lightweight Easel (for standing up) or portable canvas chair to sit on
Masking tape
Pencil

Suggested materials for painting in oils or acrylic:
An outdoor suitable easel or tripod set up
A support to paint on – primed panels or canvas boards
Paints
Medium/thinners or water
Brushes
Palette
Rags/kitchen roll

Who are the sessions for?
These sessions are aimed at adults. Those under 18 years old must be accompanied by a fee-paying adult.

No previous experience is necessary – come with curiosity and an open-mind!

About the artist
Richard Towers is a sketcher and artist with a particular interest in urban landscape, although his move to North Devon and its splendid scenery a few years ago has widened his interests. He is particularly interested in sketching and has led several practical sessions at the Museum associated with various exhibitions. His aim in these is to help people record the world around them from direct experience. Richard also works in other media, often using his sketches as a starting point.

Richard’s work can be seen on Instagram and Facebook.

Image: Courtesy of Richard Towers

For further details about the full programme
For details of the full programme of En Plein Air sessions happening in Barnstaple or on Exmoor this summer, visit our What’s On page.

These events are run by North Devon Arts as part of the The Big Draw Festival 2026. North Devon Arts is an organisation representing artists and those who appreciate art throughout North Devon. The Big Draw is a global movement campaigning to get everyone drawing. For full details, visit thebigdraw.org.