Here are a couple of new local scenes, painted Winchester College studies on canvas. One is very much an architectural piece, with almost no green but I hope with its own elegance. The other is all about the landscape and the rolling seas of foliage as you look out over the College campus to St Catherine’s Hill.
The Patchwork Architecture of WInchester College
The College, founded in 1382, is thought to be one of the oldest public schools. Predating the likes of Eton or Harrow, it is possibly the oldest of all, having run continuously without any break or need of refounding. The Campus is filled with many wonderful buildings but on this occasion I picked out a squared view of Flint Court. The wings to the left and right are 3 storey red brick constructions with a single-storey cloister across the centre. It was designed by the Gothic Revival architect William Butterfield, and built between 1867 and 1870. Flint Court provides many of the school’s classrooms and the teachers’ common room.
Winchester College, Flint Court (2025)
I was definitely drawn to it by the distinctive dusky orange of those red bricks; along with the golden moulding details that define all those shapes. But I also loved the play of light and the shadow it cast across the courtyard. My 7 year old was particularly interested, watching me work on this one through the week. He nervously asked if he could try drawing some of the lines. Somehow it felt important to relax my own control and anxiety over every detail… and I suggested he could try one of the windows. Afterwards he was so anxious that he’d messed it up. But I love it, and it will stay there as it is. Can you spot Ben’s window?
Within the Landscape
After focusing so intently on those fiery hues, the contrasting landscape study was a refreshing balm of yellow green. The view looks southeast from the tower of Winchester Cathedral. The tower of the College Chapel is at the centre, with the buildings of Chamber Court and Outer Court below. St Catherine’s Hill sits softly in the background.
Winchester College Landscape (2025) acrylic and ink on 30 x 30cm canvas
Apparently it’s still a tradition for pupils and teachers to assemble twice a year on top of the hill. The game of Winchester College football was formerly played on top of the hill; boys who were not playing stood beside the pitch to keep the ball from rolling down! In 1922, The Old Wykehamist Lodge of Freemasons bought the hill and gave it to the college. The hill remains in the college’s ownership, but is open to the public.
Timelapse: Winchester College Landscape
I didn’t record my architectural study of Flint Court, but below I do have a my timelapse of Winchester College Landscape…
A Winchester Book
These two paintings have been framed and listed in my shop. They are available to buy now, but if no one snaps them up they will be saved towards my next exhibition. I’m working hard on lots of new originals which will hopefully make a nice local showcase, but most importantly they will form the basis of a Winchester book… something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m determined to see it happen within the next year.
Keep sending me your suggestions. You can get in touch here on the blog (leave me a comment or use the contact form) or follow me on one of my socials: https://linktr.ee/illustrationbyjonathan.
