Original Watercolour Southwold Harbour Boats and Fishing Huts Scene

Title: Original Watercolour Southwold Harbour Boats and Fishing Huts Scene
By Tony Herbert (1927-2024)
Medium: Watercolor on artists paper
Size: 11 x 15 inches
Condition: Good overall; minor corner wear and subtle warping to paper edge
Provenance: From a large private collection of this artists work, Oxford, England

Description: This vibrant 1993 watercolour by British artist Tony Herbert captures the lively, working atmosphere of Southwold Harbour, a beloved Suffolk fishing port. In this expressive plein air scene, Herbert paints the rough texture of the unpaved harbour path as it curves past rows of moored boats, corrugated iron fishing huts, and signage advertising fresh shellfish. A bold red flag flutters from a rooftop, adding both motion and focal colour to the scene.

Southwold Harbour is located on the River Blyth and has long served both fishing and pleasure vessels, with its boatyards, smokehouses, and iconic black wooden huts lending a rich visual character. Known for its mix of utility and charm, the harbour has been a magnet for artists capturing the enduring traditions of the English coast.

Herbert’s confident brushwork and loose wet-on-wet technique bring immediacy to this scene, conveying the earthy tones and diffused light of an early spring day. Details like the painted sign, the bold lettering on the boats, and the sharp vertical masts help anchor the looser areas of atmospheric sky and muddy ground.

Collectors of British coastal art, marine scenes, or Suffolk landscapes will find this piece a dynamic and characterful addition to any collection.