Latest News for the UK Artist Karen M Berisford

Spectres of the Past: My Acrylic Painting of The Lion Tower at Warkworth Castle, Northumberland, UK

22/9/2024

I am pleased to share one of my recent acrylic paintings entitled 'Keeper of The Castle'. This piece showcases the 'Lion Tower' located at Warkworth Castle in Northumberland, UK.

In this blog post, I provide historical insights related to the subject of my painting, describe the creative process involved in its development, and discuss the reasons behind my choice of this captivating theme. Additionally, this painting is currently available for purchase through my Art Store.

Nestled along the banks of the River Coquet, Warkworth Castle stands as a silent sentinel—a testament to centuries past. Its ancient stones echo with whispers of battles, love, and intrigue.
And there, on the little stair, a Jackdaw perches—a spectral observer bridging the gap
between now and then.

Acrylic painting of a Jackdaw stood upon the old winding stone steps of the Little Stair Tower at Warkworth Castle, Northumberland, UK

About the Painting

As an artist with a focus on birds, I find myself fascinated by the rich history embodied in locations such as Warkworth Castle. The feet that have walked those steps through the centuries, and the wildlife that has traversed those grounds over time, have both played a role. It is this intertwining of history and nature that inspired the creation of this specific composition. You can read more about the creation of this painting by following this link.

Northumberland artist Karen M Berisford applying paint to a canvas board depicting a Jackdaw sat upon the stone steps of the Little Stair Tower at warkworth Tower in Northumberland, UK

My goal is not only to express texture through the brushstrokes but also to incorporate detailed textures into my paintings by enriching compositions that require such intricacy. The ancient stone steps, weathered by time, were depicted with an added layer of textured medium. This technique allows you to not only see the stonework within the paint but also to perceive it through the painting's tactile, raised surfaces.

Texture medium added to an acrylic painting depicting the little stair tower steps at Warkworth Castle, Northumberland, UK

The Enigmatic Jackdaw

And then there’s the Jackdaw—a bird steeped in symbolism. Intelligent, curious, and mysterious, it perches on the stair, its coal-black feathers catching the light. While the bird is the central figure in the painting, the artwork primarily depicts the history of the castle and its adjacent structures. The Jackdaw appeared to trail me as I took photographs of the weathered stone steps and the window, thus becoming a symbol of a ghostly spectre of bygone days.

A photograph of a Jackdaw upon the old stone staircase of the Little Stair Tower taken at Warkworth Castle in Northumberland, UK

A second photo of a Jackdaw sat in the stone window at the Little Stair Tower, Warkworth, UK

A Brief History of the Castle

Warkworth Castle, with its imposing keep and curtain walls, stands as a medieval masterpiece, perched atop a hill overlooking the River Coquet. It is one of northern England’s largest and most impressive castles. The castle’s origins are veiled in antiquity, possibly dating back to the Iron Age. The exact founding date remains uncertain, but its current form, including the 'Lion Tower', the subject of my latest acrylic painting, emerged in the 14th century under the patronage of the formidable Percy family.

The exact founding date remains uncertain. Traditionally, it’s attributed to Prince Henry of Scotland, Earl of Northumbria, in the mid-12th century.
Alternatively, King Henry II of England may have overseen its construction when he gained control of England’s northern counties.
The first documented mention of Warkworth Castle appears in a charter from 1157–1164, when Henry II granted it to Roger fitz Richard.
‘Harry Hotspur’, the legendary knight immortalized by Shakespeare, once called it home.

Warkworth Castle grounds and The Lion Tower and The Little Stair Tower

Overview of the Lion Tower and its Historical Significance.

The Lion Tower at Warkworth Castle boasts a captivating history. Constructed circa 1480 by the 4th Earl of Northumberland, it functioned as the principal entry to the newly established bailey residence. The tower is distinguished by its remarkable heraldic sculptures, featuring a striking lion that represents the Percy family's power and prestige. The Lion Tower was intended as a majestic gateway, leading to the great hall where the household would convene. This hall was a 15th-century renovation of a pre-existing edifice dating back to around 1200. The architectural and ornamental features of the tower were designed to display the family's dynastic achievements and elevated status.

For those fascinated by the history of Warkworth Castle in Northumberland, a valuable video from the YouTube channel Castles and Legends. has been included. Spanning 12 minutes, it delves into the captivating history of the castle.
" Warkworth Castle, a once majestic fortress steeped in drama and history located in Northumberland, England. Its story is one of power, betrayal, and enduring legacy. "

Did You Know?
Northumberland is renowned for its impressive collection of over 70 castle sites, the highest in the UK. This abundance is a testament to the region's rich history and its strategic position near the Scottish border, which has led to the construction of numerous fortifications over the years.

Keeper of the Castle - The Little Stair Tower acrylic painting

Visualisation sample only

If you are looking to purchase this painting, please contact me direct. You can also discover more original paintings featuring the birds and wildlife of Northumberland, alongside pieces on various other subjects. Consider dropping by to see if something catches your eye, particularly with Christmas on the horizon.

To commission a personal portrait, please visit my Commissions page for more information. For a custom pet portrait, explore my work on the Pet Portraits page.

Feel free to share your stories about your own trip to Warkworth Castle in the comments below.

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Charming Calico Cat Duo: Acrylic Pet Portraits for a Golden Wedding Anniversary

9/8/2022

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I want to share my recent art commissions with you. The portraits feature Mindy, a lovely Calico shorthair with one eye. A loving husband commissioned them as a special gift for his wife on their golden wedding anniversary, which is today. I am hoping that Maureen will cherish them.

" I commissioned Karen to paint two acrylic portraits of our one-eyed rescue cat, Mindy, based upon photos that I had taken. These were a surprise Golden Wedding Anniversary present for my wife & we were both absolutely delighted with the final results; my wife described them as being absolutely stunning & was amazed by their detail & accurate colours, with every hair & whisker clearly visible. Karen kept me fully informed as the paintings progressed, via emails & a specially designed website, so that I could be part of each step of the process. She also compiled a video to help me select suitable frames, which perfectly complemented the colours of the completed paintings. I thoroughly recommend Karen to anyone wanting a very special piece of artwork; she is incredibly talented. "

Michael I Harrison
UK

An acrylic painting of Mindy, a calico shorthaired cat

I spent about seven weeks creating these paintings using GOLDEN heavy body acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord. I am very detail-oriented and used a sword liner to apply every strand of fur, from short hairs to long whiskers. I worked on both paintings intermittently in between other tasks.

Acrylic painting of Mindy, a calico shorthaired cat

Acrylic painting of Mindy, a calico shorthaired cat in a bronze frame

The painting is 12" x 12" in size and was framed in the beautiful Windermere Bronze moulding. An acrylic painting is not framed behind glass, but a couple of protective layers were applied, to preserve it for many years to come.

Photograph of Mindy, a calico shorthaired cat

This is the final painting of the second portrait of Mindy, which measures 12" x 16" and is painted with acrylic. Mindy's owner, Michael, provided me with numerous high-quality digital photos of Mindy. These photos were used as a reference for creating the portrait, ensuring that every detail and colour was accurately represented.

If you are interested in commissioning your own bespoke portrait, you can find out more on our COMMISSIONS page.

Two acrylic paintings of Mindy, a calico shorthaired cat in a bronze frame

The completed paintings were carefully wrapped and packed with two certificates of authenticity and a sheet on how to care for acrylic paintings. I'm sure these paintings will be appreciated for many years to come.

Happy anniversary to Michael and Maureen

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Diary: Bird Paintings and a Scenic Bike Ride along Newbiggins’ Coastline. Plus: A Rare Bird Sighting!

21/5/2020

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The weather in Newbiggin by the Sea has been delightful. My partner, John Graham, and I have seized the opportunity to go cycling along the coast, basking in the warm, sunny days. The freedom to explore the Northumberland coastline once more, after seven weeks of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, has been exhilarating. Below are some photographs from our cycling adventures and a glimpse of my latest artwork. Furthermore, John has been fortunate to observe a bird at Newbiggin by the Sea that has not been previously documented in this area. Continue reading to discover which bird it was.

Newbiggin in the sun

Last week, John and I went for a bike ride along the coast. We took a break at Beacon's Point, a popular spot for birdwatchers known to have rare birds occasionally. We enjoyed the warm weather and took some time to relax on the cliff edge before moving on towards Lynemouth power station, hoping to spot some Flycatchers and Whinchats. We followed a path alongside the golf course covered in gorse bushes, providing an ideal bird nesting place.

Red-spotted Bluethroat seen at Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, UK 18th of May 2019

A year ago at this location, John photographed a Red-spotted Bluethroat, a rare bird that drew photographers from far and wide. Sadly, not everyone had the opportunity to witness it, myself included.

Information about the most recent rare bird sighting in Newbiggin can be found further down this article.

'On the Easel' - Kingfisher in Acrylics

Recently, I've spent some tranquil evenings in the studio, focusing on finishing several paintings that have been gathering dust on the shelf. I've resumed work, particularly on a Kingfisher painting whose simple composition enhances its impact. The bird's vibrant presence dominates the otherwise muted backdrop, rendering additional details superfluous. For the wooden post, I employed a combination of paint and texture gel, while strategically placed raindrops at the conclusion serve to highlight the bird exquisitely.

Last year, John captured the reference image for his painting. Surrounding him were open fields and patches of woodland, teeming with wildlife. One morning, a Kingfisher perched briefly on a wooden post, giving John just enough time to take several photos before it took flight again.

This 9" x 12" acrylic painting is available for sale, with options for both framed and unframed versions.
Displayed above are some framed examples of the painting. For information on purchasing this artwork, please contact me.

'On the Easel' - Bullfinch & Apple Blossom acrylic painting

This painting was created by merging two reference images: one of a Bullfinch and the other featuring apple blossoms. Close to home, there's a cycle path adorned with apple blossom trees, a common habitat for Bullfinches. Capturing a photo of both the bird and blossoms together proved elusive, so I utilised an image of a Bullfinch captured by John.
The artwork measures 8" x 8", crafted with acrylics, and is available for purchase either framed or unframed.

For those interested in acquiring this piece, please feel free to reach out for further information.

Why not visit the SHOP to view other available paintings for sale.

What a find!

One morning, John was lucky to spot a beautiful European Bee-Eater flying over a nearby lake. Despite being far away, the Bee-Eater was easily recognisable due to its long beak and bright colours. While there have been reports of Bee-Eaters in other parts of the country, this was the first sighting of one in Newbiggin by the sea.

European Bee-eater seen in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, UK

European Bee-Eater in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland,UK

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Spectres of the Past: My Acrylic Painting of The Lion Tower at Warkworth Castle, Northumberland, UK

About the Painting

The Enigmatic Jackdaw

A Brief History of the Castle

Overview of the Lion Tower and its Historical Significance.

Charming Calico Cat Duo: Acrylic Pet Portraits for a Golden Wedding Anniversary

Diary: Bird Paintings and a Scenic Bike Ride along Newbiggins’ Coastline. Plus: A Rare Bird Sighting!

Newbiggin in the sun

'On the Easel' - Kingfisher in Acrylics

'On the Easel' - Bullfinch & Apple Blossom acrylic painting

What a find!

Author

Categories

Archives

Get In Touch

SERVICES

COMMISSIONS

HELP & INFORMATION

Spectres of the Past: My Acrylic Painting of The Lion Tower at Warkworth Castle, Northumberland, UK

About the Painting

The Enigmatic Jackdaw

A Brief History of the Castle

​Overview of the Lion Tower and its Historical Significance.

Charming Calico Cat Duo: Acrylic Pet Portraits for a Golden Wedding Anniversary

Diary: Bird Paintings and a Scenic Bike Ride along Newbiggins’ Coastline. Plus: A Rare Bird Sighting!

Newbiggin in the sun

'On the Easel' - Kingfisher in Acrylics

'On the Easel' - Bullfinch & Apple Blossom acrylic painting

What a find!

Author

Categories

Archives

Get In Touch

​SERVICES

​COMMISSIONS

​HELP & INFORMATION

Overview of the Lion Tower and its Historical Significance.

SERVICES

COMMISSIONS

HELP & INFORMATION