Roses & Castles

'Roses & Castles' is the popular term for the painting style that was used for the last two centuries to decorate the working boats that travelled the 'narrow' canals of England, and just into Wales. No-one really knows where it came from originally, but it developed in its own unique way, thanks to the many dock and boatyard painters around the country. Different styles evolved – Braunston, Knobstick, Polesworth etc.

Jane Marshall, who has been running canal painting courses for 20 years at The Old Stables by Audlem Locks on the Shropshire Union Canal, looks at the history of Roses & Castles, the various local variations in style, and the Masters – some of the most important of the 20th century boatpainters – as well as current painters perpetuating the art. Jane describes, in fully illustrated simple steps, how to paint roses, daisies, and castle scenes, and she also introduces simple lettering, and graining to represent wood (scumbling). Now all you need is a water can or boat to paint!

The production of this book was sponsored by Craftmaster Paints.