Sketching Cliffe Castle

Sketchers were out in force at Cliffe Castle last Sunday. Not only were Urban Sketchers Yorkshire there, but in the afternoon artists from Sketch That also made an appearance.

Originally the home of Henry Isaac Butterfield the imposing building was completed in the 1880s. In the 1950s the Castle was bought by Sir Bracewell Smith who turned it into a free museum and the grounds into a public park

Inside the Castle are a host of amazing objects and artwork just begging to be sketched, including the natural history gallery with its stuffed animals many in lifelike dioramas. I particularly enjoyed sketching the Pine Martin with its dramatic pose and vicious looking teeth. Though I wouldn’t have been anywhere near if it had been running around. Did I mention the teeth?

There was also a summer party outside in the grounds with stalls, musicians and other entertainment, plenty of subjects to practice our people sketching. This is the Chris White Jazz Trio who were performing outside the entrance to the Castle.

Even the weather cooperated, sort of, with a mixture of showers and sunshine and when it did rain there was always the Castle to retreat into with a host of subjects to sketch.

The grounds have been receiving a major makeover with major construction projects which have have been captured beautifully by talented artist Deborah Rehmat and her fabulous sketches are on display in the Castle. Well worth a look.

Thanks to Deborah Rehmat for organising and Geri for showing us such tremendous hospitality and Mel for the behind the scenes tour of the greenhouses and giving us an insight into the exciting prospects for the future of Cliffe Castle. We plan on paying another visit in the spring to see how it all turns out.