Dear Friends,
Firstly, thank you to all those who bought from my Easter online sale. It is always lovely to see the paintings go off to a new home.
I’m going to be very busy over the coming months and I thought I would share a glimpse of what’s ahead.
Also, I’d love to see you in person - do join me at the ROI Friends Paint Out, my SWA demo, or drop by one of the exhibitions to see my work. I’ll share details on Social Media of when I will be in the galleries nearer the time. There is also my exciting Solo show coming up in August and September.
ROYAL INSTITUTE OF OIL PAINTERS FRIENDS PAINT OUT – Saturday 16th May
I am leading another ROI Friends’ paint out at the beautiful Denbies Wine Estate in the Surrey Hills. Last year was such a joy—the vines, rolling hills, and all those lovely greens—that I couldn’t resist going back. The café terrace and wine bar are as lovely as ever, and this time I’ll book a marquee table for all of us to gather for a drink at the end of the day.
Quite a few people have already signed up - and many are repeat visitors - thank you! It will be a great day out.
Facilities are ideal: FREE parking, loos, café, restaurant, and the wine marquee, of course. You do need to be a Friend of the ROI to join me, and it is certainly going to be worth it - there’s lots of fun to be had. Please click here for ROI Friends information.
If you do plan to join, please message me by email (lucy@lucymarks.co.uk) or text (07769 697693) so I know who to look out for on the day. We will meet by the entrance of the main building at 10.30am.
I can’t wait to see you all there - we had such fun last year.
When: Saturday 16th May, 10:30am-4pm
Where: Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6AA
SOUTHERN PLEIN AIR - GROUP SHOW - May 18th-24th
This May, the Southern Plein Air Group will be holding a group exhibition, and I’m thrilled to be part of this wonderful band of painters. I’ll be showing a brand-new collection of new oil plein air paintings painted along the South Coast. It’s going to be such a joy to have us all together.
It is already shaping up to be fantastic show, celebrating the joy of painting outdoors - do come along if you can!
Towards the Sea, Oil, 30x40cm
When: 18th to 24th May, Open from 10am to 5pm
Where: Fishing Quarter Gallery, 201 Kings Rd Arches, Brighton BN1 1NB
CHELSEA ART SOCIETY 77th ANNUAL SUMMER EXHIBITION
The Chelsea Art Society’s next Summer Exhibition will be held once again in mid-June at Chelsea Town Hall. As a member of the CAS, it is always a joy to be part of this amazing artist led community. It is always an extravaganza combining painting, print-making, sculpture and ceramics. It is never short on colour and variety!
The Summer show is an Open exhibition and it will have a mix of Members’ and non-Members’ work. I will be showing three plein air oils in this years show.
Trees on the Hill, Oil, 30x40cm
When: 16th to 21st June, Open 10am-6pm, daily (closing early Sunday 21st at 3pm.
Where: Chelsea Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE
SOCIETY OF WOMEN ARTISTS - EXHIBITION and MY OIL DEMO
As a Member, I am always excited to be part of the annual exhibition of the Society of Women Artists. It brings together a wide range of artists, mediums, and subjects into a busy, vibrant show at the Mall Galleries in central London.
I am delighted to be exhibiting two large oil paintings in this year’s show. I will also be giving a demonstration in Oil at the show.
Demonstration of ‘Loose landscapes in Oils’
Free with Exhibition entry to the SWA Annual Show
Saturday 27th June, 2-4pm
Join me for a fun approach to painting loose, expressive landscapes in oils. Working from a photo, I will bring my plein air process into the studio, sharing tips on capturing light, atmosphere, and movement with confident, economical brushwork. It will be a practical and energetic insight into painting with freedom. If you haven’t been to one of my demos we have lots of fun.
Demo is free with your entry ticket. More details below.
Moonlit Fields, Oil, 60x84cm
When: Open 23rd to 27th June, Tuesday 23rd 3-5pm, Wednesday Private View, Thursday - Saturday 10-5pm.
Where: The Mall Gallery, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AS
INTERPRETING THE LANDSCAPE - Online Workshops - July/Aug
All mediums and levels welcome! Come and join me for three live online sessions one of Winslow International Art Center’s Summer Classes. We will be exploring how to interpret the landscape with freedom and confidence. I will work from observation in oil, gouache, however, you can work in your preferred medium, creating expressive sketches and larger paintings.
Learn to:
Simplify and edit from nature
Build strong, dynamic compositions
Capture light, movement & atmosphere
Explore colour, materials, and painting energy
Paint more instinctively, loosen up your work, and find your own voice in the landscape!
Medium: All mediums welcome
Level: All levels welcome
When: Thursday 23rd and 30th July, and 6th August
Class Times:
• 9:30 am-11:30 am Pacific time
• 12:30 pm-2:30 pm Eastern time
• 5:30 pm-7:30 pm UK time
Where: Online through Zoom
Details: Click here for more details and booking information
ROYAL WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY - PERMANENT MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION
After launching the Permanent Members’ Exhibition in March, the RWS Gallery team will taking time to run a re-hang of the Exhibition in early July. Taking place at the RWS Gallery on Whitcomb Street, this new permanent collection features members’ work and will be on display in between other shows and events at the Gallery.
The permanent show will be changed regularly. And I have new works going in very soon for the new change around. Make sure you pop in if you are in the area to see this great Permanent Show. It is a treat if you are a fan of work in water-based media.
Check RWS website for details and opening times.
When: Currently open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm, with the re-hang opening to the Public with a celebratory drink on Saturday 11th July
Where: RWS Gallery, 3-5 Whitcomb Street, London, WC2H 7HA (Right next door to the National Gallery)
GALLERY NEWS
SUMMER EXHIBITION, Russell Gallery, Putney
Delighted to have been invited to be part of the lovely Russell Gallery Summer Show. Always a treat. Below is one of my plein air oil paintings of Putney that will be in the exhibition.
Towards Putney Boathouses, Oil, 35x45cm
When: Open 10-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday, Late June to End August.
Where: 12 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1JP
SOLO SHOW: Arundel Contemporary Gallery,
Exciting news for later this summer! I’ll be holding a select solo show at the Arundel Contemporary Gallery, It will be part of the Arundel Art Trail and coincide with the August Bank Holiday,
I’ll be showing a hand-picked collection of new plein air oil paintings - some small and some very large - of landscape in and around Arundel and across Sussex. Details available by clicking here.
When: Open daily 11-4pm during Arundel Art Trail 21st-31st August, then continuing throughout the month of September.
Where: 2 Maltravers Street, Arundel, BN18 9AP
COME PAINT WITH ME IN A CASTLE IN ITALY
Join me in Umbria with Winslow Art Center for an inspiring week of plein air painting among rolling hills, olive groves, and the timeless beauty of the Italian landscape. We will be staying in a beautiful castle; the perfect base for a week immersed in painting the Italian countryside.
Together we’ll explore the joy of all prima painting in oil and gouache, working with spontaneity and freedom to capture the light, atmosphere, and mood of this extraordinary place. Through quick sketches, painterly exercises, and more developed studies, I will guide you as you respond to the landscape with fresh eyes and a lively brush.
Imagine painting on cobbled terraces as the Italian light drifts across centuries-old stone, the scent of olive groves in the warm air. Each day is a chance to slow down, look deeply, and connect with both the landscape and your painting.
Thinking of Joining the Italy Trip?
If you’ve been dreaming of joining the Italy trip—and especially if you’d like to stay in the castle—booking early is a must! Places are limited and spaces are filling fast.
It promises to be such a fun, inspiring week: painting, exploring, and soaking up the incredible Umbrian light and atmosphere together. Don’t miss the chance to experience it all in such a beautiful setting!
When: 3rd to 10th October 2026
Where: Castello di Petroia, Gubbio, Umbria, Italy.
Details: See Winslow Art Center for details here.
BUY DIRECT FROM MY STUDIO
I know that some of you spotted my New Work section on my website. I will continue to pop new works up there as soon as they are available. Several of my works have already found new homes!
The changing weather has given me renewed energy and I am so excited to be out in the fresh air with my pochade and plein air kit.
I look forward to meeting you out and about!
Lots of love and look after yourselves,
Lucy x