1987 Watercolour of Bucks Mills North Devon with Fishing Boats, Cliffs and Shore

Title: 1987 Watercolour of Bucks Mills North Devon with Fishing Boats, Cliffs and Shore
By Tony Herbert (1927-2024)
Medium: Watercolor on artists paper
Size: 11 x 15 inches
Annotated Verso: “Bucks Mills 87, N. Devon”
Condition: very good; mild surface ageing and light handling wear at corners
Provenance: From a large private collection of this artists work, Oxford, England

Description: This atmospheric 1987 watercolour by Tony Herbert depicts Bucks Mills, a small, historic fishing village on the rugged North Devon coast, situated between Clovelly and Peppercombe. Known for its dramatic cliffs, pebble beach and characterful stone slipway, Bucks Mills has remained largely untouched by modern tourism — a rare and special subject for collectors of West Country art.

In the foreground, Herbert captures the rocky shore with masterful texture: wet stones, scattered pebbles and rust-toned sand. Two white-and-blue fishing boats rest on the slipway, and a figure appears at the edge of one — a quiet nod to the village’s long-standing connection to the sea. The composition rises into stone walls, lush green cliffs and a distant, hazy coastline beneath a grey sky.

The subdued palette and use of atmospheric perspective are hallmarks of Herbert’s later coastal work, and the scene is both grounded in place and softly expressive. Bucks Mills was historically associated with artists from the St Ives School and has remained a hidden gem for painters seeking unspoiled views and moody light.

Tony Herbert (1927–2024) produced a rich body of watercolour landscapes throughout Devon and beyond. This painting is a strong example of his ability to honour both the built and natural environments of Britain’s coastline.

A must-have for collectors of North Devon fishing village art, British marine landscapes, or those with ties to Bucks Mills and the Hartland Heritage Coast.