DAVID·HAUGHEY

Painting • Process • Field Notes

Painting 2026

Paintings, studies, filmed fragments, weather, paths, people, photographs, the edges of days, and the landscape from which paintings are built.

After Rain, Lower Path

Charcoal on fabriano. A large study. Derived from the sketchbook and photos.

Conan Study

Charcoal on Fabriano. The beginning of a study of Conan. Derived from the sketchbook and various photos.

Studio Clip

Charcoal on Fabriano. If I stopped here?

The Smell of Silt

Exposed silt, mud, and disturbed sediment. When floodwater spreads and then drops back, leaves behind fine mineral particles, bits of plant matter, and microorganisms that can produce that distinctive “wet sandbank” smell.

Leaves in Water

The end of the day. Haste and patterns.

Palette Decisions 1

There are currently three brands on the table. Winsor and Newton, Sennelier, and Michael Harding. Each of the hues have a different charactaristic. A lifetime mixing variations.

Conan Study

Charcoal on fabriano. 1:1 study to help get a sense of values and composition.

Square painting detail with atmospheric sky

Finn Study

Charcoal on Fabriano. Overworked, but useful in deciding what not to do.

Looking Back

When the studio did not exist for me, or is not an option on any given day, I'll paint in smaller sketchbooks with watercolour or acrylic, or draw with charcoal on newsprint. The sketches in this image are from 2014, 2016 and the newsprint drawing from 2015.

Looking Back

Inevitably there's a question about value that arises from looking at old drawings and sketches. What was useful, what was necessary, what maintains. In this group, sketches from around 2014-15.

Studio B-Roll

From the window.

Palette Decisions 2

Oxide of Chromium is central. For whatever reason.

Bifurcate

Discovery. Rediscovered. Rhyming but not identical.

Interiors / Exteriors

It seemed like a short distance through the floodwater. Deeper and longer than I supposed.

Palette Decisions 3

The difference between one ochre and another is, well, remarkable.

Flood Waters

Charcoal on Fabriano. A large study derived from my on-site sketchbook and various photos.

Fiona Study

Charcoal on Fabriano. The beginning of a study of Fiona. Derived from the sketchbook and various photos.

Looking Back

Drawing of Fiona. Charcoal on newsprint c.2005.

A Copse Study

Charcoal on Fabriano. Through the hedge. Near a racetrack.

Looking Back

Drawing of Fiona. Graphite and watercolour in Moleskine c.2019.

Heron Study 1

Charcoal on Fabriano. From the sketchbook and various photos. The empty canal near lock-keepers cottage.

Heron Study 2

Charcoal on Fabriano. From the sketchbook and various photos. The empty canal near lock-keepers cottage.

Heron Study 3

Charcoal on Fabriano. From the sketchbook and various photos. The empty canal near lock-keepers cottage.

Heron Colour Study

Oil on canvas. A small colour study. The first few marks in charcoal.

Studio Fragments

The heron colour study and the charcoal study of a tree.

The Isle of Pines

"Having dispatched our business and freighted again our ship, we left Calicut and put forth to sea..."

Flood Waters

Study. Charcoal on Fabriano. Looking from the garden at Terrace Hill toward Malone House

Felled Tree Study 1

Charcoal on Fabriano.

Studio Fragment

A small colour study. Oil on Canvas. Felled tree midpoint. Charcoal on Fabriano.

Felled Tree

Charcoal on Fabriano.

Looking Back

Drawing of Fiona. Charcoal on newsprint c.2013.

Heron Study 4

Charcoal on Fabriano.

Counterpoint

1:1 studies. 135 x 95cm.

Interiors / Exteriors

Context.

A Group of Trees

The start of a study. Derived from a sketch made later in 2020, and the associated long walks.

A Group of Trees

The end of a study. Derived from a sketch made later in 2020, and the associated long walks.

Tracks

An incomplete study of a snow-covered Mary Peter's running track. With tracks.

Studies

1:1 studies. Testing composition and values. Rehersals.

Finn

It was necessary to recompose the small study of Finn. In doing so, likeness was lost. It will be found again though. Eventually.

Looking Back

Drawing of Fiona. Charcoal on newsprint c.2015.

Studio Visits

...

Mirrored Egret

A study. I saw this bird in Belfast for the first time earlier this year. During the flooding. Since then, I've seen it a few more times near Minnoburn and Gilchrist footbridge. The composition needs simplified.

Sculpted Tree

In the centre, an oddly shaped tree that appears sculpted, manicured, but also remote, incidental, happenstance.

Self

A study. Derived from a photo taken by Fiona. The wind was blowing, I'm holding my left hand up and squinting.

A Snow Covered Field

A Study. Drafted in minutes. Enough.