iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Pub portrait. Man in the corner enjoying a pint and some quiet contemplation. Warm haven on a cold, dirty winter's night. #supportyourlocal #Pencildrawing #portrait

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Portrait of Joan watching TV. Joan is my mother-in-law, a wonderful lady slowly sinking into dementia. Happy in herself, still enjoys company and a wee dram, and happy to let me draw pictures of her. None of us are here for ever so we should make the most of the time we have.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Durham Cathedral from Observatory Hill; Autumn Colours. This one took three visits to that location with my easel, many lovely interactions with people while I was there, and several hours in my studio. You have to let each painting go on its own journey. Oil on canvas 16 x 20 inches

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

A bit of quick gouache & pencil sketchbook action from today. My favourite medium for getting down some colour and composition for further painting ideas. Near Bishop Thornton in North Yorkshire. Never be without your sketchbook for these moments.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

I saw my first real painting up close when I was a child and was immediately fascinated by how a painting was just blobs of colour on a surface. That still informs my painting technique to this day. Portrait work-in-progress detail.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Gottle o geer... ink drawing. Object drawing is what I do when I'm sitting at home on an evening and just want to draw something. When it comes to drawing, there's no such thing as too much practice. And it's fun. #ink #drawing

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Another session on this painting I've been working on, Observatory Hill in Durham.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Work in progress: Observatory Hill on Remembrance Sunday, painting and listening to the incredible sound of the Cathedral bells peeling out into the landscape. #WIP #durham #durhamcathedral #remembrance

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

The world is full of beauty. Get out and make the most of it. Durham Skyline from Observatory Hill - Autumn Colours Oil on canvas board 10 x 12 inches October 2025 #pleinair #landscape #CoDurham #durhamcathedral #Durham #oilpainting #landscapepainting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Autumn Sun in Tynemouth, Oil On Canvas board 12 x 16 inches October 2025 This was done during a trip to Tynemouth with Urban Sketchers Tyne Wear & Tees group. #Tynemouth #pleinair #landscape #urbanlandscape #oilpainting #landscapepainting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Autumn colours on a cold day. You'll never regret going out to paint.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Back in the 90s, I was the archetypal starving artist in a garret, and what a garret on the 15th floor of a tower block looking over the great city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Big Lamp, Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 inches C1998 #urbanlandscape #Newcastle #oiloncanvas #landscapepainter

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

This unfinished painting of Holy Island was my first trip out with a French Easel. It's been quite a journey since then and that easel dropped to bits. Most of my painting is now done outdoors and steadily wearing out a second easel. A life well lived should be an endless learning process.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Some #WIP shots of my trip out to Tynemouth with the Urban Sketchers Tyne Wear & Tees. Bit of a cold day on the fingers, but totally worth it. #pleinair #tynemouth #urbanlandscapepainting #oilpainting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Had a mental few months and posting on here has fallen by the wayside. However, I did get back out painting at the weekend. Work in progress shot from Observatory Hill in Durham catching the glorious autumn colours. I'll post the finished piece in due course.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Pardon the pun. Started a book of cat doodles. Other animals may be involved.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Farm Machinery, St John's Chapel, Co Durham. Oil on canvas. My first plein-air competition, had no idea what to expect and got 3rd prize.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Found this little painting of St Nicholas aka Newcastle Cathedral I did sometime in the late 90s. #Newcastle #StNicholas #oilpainting #urbanlandscape

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Leave your smartphone at home, take your sketchbook instead, and you can get engrossed in other people getting engrossed in their smartphones. #smartphone #peoplewatching #sketchbook #drawing

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Dog walk, couple of pints, a bit crack with the Wednesday evening crew and a portrait. Not too shabby for a Wednesday night. Danny sitting at the bar. #pubdrawing #Pencildrawing #supportyourlocal #portrait

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Big Dave drives a pickup truck for picking up trucks. Ron Perry services, A19 northbound. Watching people coming and going. Conversations in the rain. Filling cars with fuel and and themselves with garage snacks. #Drawing #peoplewatching #A19 #sketchbook

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Band rehearsal today. I think I'll take these two out today. #Gibson #Elderwood #Marshall #Supportlivemusic

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Finished: Corporation Terrace, Trimdon Grange, oil on canvas, 10 x 12 inches. Commissioned by a Canadian lady who's father lived on that street and recently moved to Canada. This will be a present for his 80th birthday. #pleinair #CoDurham #landscapepainter #oilpainting @grimartgroup.bsky.social

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Work in progress. Not sure about this one. Bright sunlight creates a lot of strong contrasts and I was getting lost in an entanglement of big old Hawthorn. I'll get back there this afternoon. I also need some easel maintenance. #WIP #pleinair #oilpaint

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Made a start to this little commission. This style of terrace in Trimdon Grange is ubiquitous to the former pit villages of Co Durham. #pleinair #oilpainting #CoDurham #landscapepainting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

This weekend, I published my website and bought a car. The two things are not related. www.alanmcginn.co.uk

alanmcginn.co.uk

Home | My Site

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Wi tippeny be we fear nae evil; wi usquebae, we'll face the devil.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Finished this. The Insanity of Cars; Middlesbrough Flyover at Rush Hour. Oil on canvas. 12 x 16 #urbanlandscape #Rushhour #Middlesbrough #oiloncanvas #Northbound #Teesside

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Thought I should put a bit more energy into getting my paintings back out into the world. Taking a punt on the Cass Art prize with this one. #CassArt #oilpainting #artist #exhibition #DH7 #CoDurham

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Another session on this one this evening. I think it's there. It'll sit on my mantle piece for a wee while and I'll spot anything that needs more work, but I'm happy with it for now. #WIP #pleinair #oilpainting #urbanlandscapepainting #DH7 #ushawmoor #CoDurham

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Evening sun in #DH7 Stopping now as the light has already changed too much. I'll come back for another session soon. #pleinairpainting #oilpaint #urbanlandscape #CoDurham

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

A DH7 landmark, The Blue Hut, once a Chinese Takeaway, previously a Fish & Chip shop. Since painting, it has changed again. Started on a sunny April morning in 2023; finished this year. It sometimes takes a while. Oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches. #Oilpaint #CoDurham #pleinair #urbanlandscape

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

The idea to paint this one has been brewing for years. Railway Bridge at Langley Moor, Co Durham. Painted on location over 3 sessions, and a bit more in the studio. #pleainair #oilpainting #urbanlandscape #landscapepainting #DH7 #CoDurham @grimartgroup.bsky.social

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Long spring evening shadows playing on the back of a terrace. I see this view every day, there's a painting in there somewhere. Waiting for the moment. Cockhouse Lane, Ushaw Moor, Co Durham. #drawing #lightandshade #pencildrawing #sketchbook #DH7 #CoDurham @grimartgroup.bsky.social

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

Lovely day for a spot of painting in Durham. I even had a free model and live entertainment. #urbanart #keepstreetslive #supportlivemusic #pleinair #busker #oilpainting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

Pub portrait. Trying out my new 3.15mm clutch pencil. Also tried out a couple of pints of Guinness. It loosens up the drawing arm.

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Second session on this one. It's nearly there. Quite happy with progress. Every painting has its own journey and you have to let them find their way. #pleinair #oilpainting #DH7 #Durham #codurham #urbanlandscapepainting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Art supplies delivery day. My weekend is sorted. Particularly excited about my fountain pen ink and my 3.15mm clutch pencil. #art #cassart #artmaterials #newpencilday

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

First session on this one. It's a view I've been pondering for quite a few years now and I'm happy with my progress so far. Langley Moor with the East Coast Main Line shooting overhead. #DH7 #CoDurham #Pleinair #oil_painting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

From yesterday's plein-air session. Work in progress. I'll try to get back down next weekend around the same time if the weather is right. It can live on the mantle piece until then. #Durham #pleinair #urbanlandscape #oilpainting

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Work in progress. Sunny Easter Sunday on Silver Street. Lovely couple of hours of painting and chatting to curious passersby. #Easter2025 #HappyEaster #pleinair #oilpainting #Durham #WIP

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

I'm great at starting paintings with great gusto and enthusiasm... Never so good at finishing them, so dragged this one out for a third session as it has been sitting in my studio in a state of "almost but not quite" for weeks now. #pleinair #urbanlandscape #DH7 #CoDurham #oiloncanvas

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Alan McGinn @ahmcginn.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

First session on this one, making the most of a sunny Saturday in Co Durham. Another of those views which I've been considering for years. #DH7 #Pleinair #oilpainting #EshWinning #urbanlandscape

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