In developing a painting or a study, Holland could work very quickly, or he could be meticulous and picky, producing a number of versions until he was happy with an image. There are for example at least three versions of Approaches to Birmingham, which will feature later in the year when we look at his work from the 1960s.
In 1976, Holland produced a number of small images of boats he remembered from his childhood in the Medway towns.
[From a sketch book, 1976, watercolour and pen, in a private collection]
He then built up an image of smaller boats loading their goods onto a larger vessel, ready to head out to sea.
[From a sketch book, 1976, watercolour and pen, in a private collection]
This was finally worked up into this magnificent oil painting, of which he was justifiably proud.
[Coaster loading cement from barges in the Medway c 1920, oil on board, signed, framed, 1976, exhibited at the Art Connoisseur Gallery, London, 1997, available for purchase.]