Student Artwork Guide — Near Cushendall

4 parts 1 The artwork2 In context3 Artist and museum4 Look closely

Name Class Date

sam mclarnon, Near Cushendall, Northern Ireland Civil Service. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist: sam mclarnon wahooart.com/en/artists/sam-mclarnon/
Artist’s dates: 1924 – 2012
Original size: 29 x 39 cm
Held at: Northern Ireland Civil Service wahooart.com/en/museums/northern-ireland-civil-service-belfast/

Copyright This work is still under copyright. sam mclarnon died in 2012; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2082. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Near Cushendall — sam mclarnon

How big is it?

The original measures 29 × 39 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When might this have been painted?

1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010

Shaded: the lifetime of sam mclarnon (1924–2012)

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Fairhead, Ballycastle wahooart.com/en/art/sam-mclarnon-fairhead-ballycastle-ARAPZE-en/
Glencloy Carnlough wahooart.com/en/art/sam-mclarnon-glencloy-carnlough-ARAPZA-en/
Glenballyeamon wahooart.com/en/art/sam-mclarnon-glenballyeamon-ARAPZC-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wahooart.com/en/art/similar/sam-mclarnon-near-cushendall-ARAPZJ-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Driftwood #949655

Catalogued palette

#949655
#ADD3DB
#5C6427
#C6BF8E

Main colour name: Driftwood
Intensity: Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Near Cushendall — sam mclarnon

Artist

sam mclarnon

Samuel McLarnon: A Painter of Antrim’s Soul

Samuel McLarnon (1924-2012) wasn't merely an artist; he was a chronicler of the wild, breathtaking beauty of Northern Ireland. Born in Larne, County Antrim, his life and artistic vision were inextricably linked to the rugged coastline, shimmering glens, and evocative light that defined his homeland. McLarnon’s legacy rests not on grand pronouncements or revolutionary techniques, but rather on a deeply felt connection to place – a quiet reverence for the landscape rendered with exquisite detail and an undeniable sense of nostalgia.

McLarnon's early artistic education began at Larne Technical School, where he received awards that recognized his innate talent. However, it was a scholarship that led him beyond the confines of formal instruction and into the heart of his passion: painting outdoors. This decision marked a pivotal shift; McLarnon deliberately chose to pursue his vocation rather than a career as a teacher, dedicating himself entirely to capturing the essence of Antrim’s visual poetry. He established a studio in Main Street, Larne, becoming a central figure in the local art scene and contributing significantly to the development of artistic communities throughout the region.

Museum

Northern Ireland Civil Service

On show in Belfast, United Kingdom

A Living Tapestry of Ulster’s Soul

To step into the spaces curated by the Northern Ireland Civil Service is to encounter a profound dialogue between governance and grace. Unlike the silent, sterile corridors often associated with bureaucracy, this collection breathes with the vibrant pulse of a nation’s identity. Established in 1963 through the visionary foresight of Captain Terence O’Neill, the collection was conceived not merely as an accumulation of assets, but as a deliberate infusion of beauty into the machinery of state. It serves as a reminder that the halls where policy is forged are also the sanctuaries where culture thrives. Today, with over 1,800 works valued at £2.5 million, the collection stands as a monumental investment in the creative spirit of Ulster, weaving together the historical threads of the past with the bold, experimental strokes of the contemporary era.

The sheer breadth of this assembly is nothing short of breathtaking, offering a kaleidoscope of styles that range from the delicate intimacy of watercolor landscapes to the commanding presence of abstract canvases. One might find themselves lost in the rugged, atmospheric coastlines captured with meticulous precision, only to be suddenly confronted by the dynamic energy of modern thought.

Where to read more

The artist sam mclarnon wahooart.com/en/artists/sam-mclarnon/
The museum Northern Ireland Civil Service wahooart.com/en/museums/northern-ireland-civil-service-belfast/
Similar works More works to compare wahooart.com/en/art/similar/sam-mclarnon-near-cushendall-ARAPZJ-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Near Cushendall

wahooart.com/en/art/download/sam-mclarnon-near-cushendall-ARAPZJ-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: mclarnon, sam. Near Cushendall. n.d., Northern Ireland Civil Service. https://wahooart.com/en/art/sam-mclarnon-near-cushendall-ARAPZJ-en/
APA: mclarnon, sam (n.d.). Near Cushendall [Painting]. Northern Ireland Civil Service. https://wahooart.com/en/art/sam-mclarnon-near-cushendall-ARAPZJ-en/
Chicago: sam mclarnon. Near Cushendall. n.d. Northern Ireland Civil Service. https://wahooart.com/en/art/sam-mclarnon-near-cushendall-ARAPZJ-en/
Harvard: mclarnon, sam (n.d.) Near Cushendall. Northern Ireland Civil Service. Available at: https://wahooart.com/en/art/sam-mclarnon-near-cushendall-ARAPZJ-en/

Near Cushendall — sam mclarnon

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at Fairhead, Ballycastle, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?
If you could ask the artist one question about this work, what would it be?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.