Morning Liight, Albert Bridge II, 6" x 8", Oil on board, 2010

Immediately after the golden morning, I got back to face Albert Bridge. The morning light was blazing through the trees and casting deep shadows on the pathway! A delight to behold! I sat down for this one with the pochade on my lap and sometimes against the chair-I threw everything into this one speed, colour and vigour! I was extra pleased with the result!!!



This format continues to spur me on and I am happy to keep at it everyday, it's almost like a morning exercise!


In the spirit of plein air

I have also included one more picture of Ken Howard with me in it!


Snap shot of the scene



The painting in the box



That's me and Ken!

Golden Morning, Battersea Bridge, 6" x 8", Oil on gessoed card, 2010

Golden Morning, Battersea Bridge, 6" x 8", Oil on gessoed card, 2010 SOLD



The sight for the piece didn't last long. It was a glorious sunrise and the rays were hitting the bridge and the reflections bouncing off The Thames! A great sight! I had to work quickly. I was pleased with the effect and also it wasn't too cold this morning. I met Ken Howard painting on my way back, that was a another great sight to behold! He had got to his painting spot at 6.00am! Hmmmmm I hope I'll be able to do that at his age-to me he is a living legend!



Adebanji doing the early morning shift

The paint here was more fluid and I enjoyed every bit of it, the only time things didn't go right was when I thought the painting was heading for destruction but thank God, it survived!



The painting in the box




snap shot of the scene



Ken Howard Painting

London Eye, Mid morning light, 6" x 8", Oil on board, 2010

On the same day I painted Big Ben, I also painted this piece, It concentrated more on clouds and distance. This scene was the first time I used my pochade box on my lap without the aid of the tripod stand it was quite comfortable and easy to use too.



London Eye, Mid morning light, 6" x 8", Oil on board, 2010



I did this piece on a board this time and it worked well because the board had been primed with a warm off white colour which worked well with this scene and meant I didn't need to paint some places, they actually painted themselves.




That's me with box on my lap

I have used more diluted paint here but with more vigorous brushstrokes.



Snap shot of the scene


Enjoy the pictures.




The box and the painting

Morning Light, Big Ben, 6" x 8", oil on gessoed card, 2010, 2010

Morning Light, Big Ben from Westminster Bridge, 6" x 8", Oil on gessoed card, 2010

This is another London experience. I had to take off from my studio at around 5.30am to catch the greenish blue sky as the sun rose around Westminster Bridge. It was colder than I presumed and I went through some difficulties really gaining grounds but in the end through some dogged perseverance, I managed to knock this together. I can't wait to get to the same spot in other atmospheric situations an moods to compare.

This was done with a combination of thick and thin colours using the the reverse of the traditional-fat over lean.


That's me niggling away in the cold!


Enjoy the pictures, more are coming!


Snap shot of the scene



The box and the painting

Morning Light, Albert Bridge, 6" x 8", Oil on Gessoed card, 2010

Back from Windsor, I decided to take on London and it's always going to be a test with the people, the unstable weather and the sheer courage it takes to set up and paint in this city, but I'm up for it and you'll be seeing more of London or anywhere I can park my myself in the UK with my pochade box!


Morning Light, Albert Bridge, 6" x 8", Oil on Gessoed card, 2010



It was the morning and the sky was sort of white but the sun was rising in its warmth. I climbed on top of a container used for lodging work men's storage around Battersea Bridge and I caught this scene.



That's me high on top!

I've used a bit more diluted paint here because of some delicate details but again I enjoyed the sheer pleasure of working Alla Prima!



Snap shot of the scene

BIG ISSUE SERIES XIII, XIV, XV

These are three of my latest Big Issue Vendors.

I'll let the sketches and pictures do the talking!

They had fascinating stories too!

Cafe, Windsor, 6" x 8", Oil on gessoed card, 2010

This is the fourth painting I did at Windsor.



Cafe, Windsor, 6" x 8", Oil on gessoed card, 2010

I determined to get one more painting in the box. Peter Wileman told me of some other hots spots around the place so I decide to take my chance. I saw this cafe and just before they closed, I quickly got this done.



This time I'm sitting and loving it!


This one was a bit complicated but I just painted suggestions of the scene to capture the light.



Snapshot of the scene

Brocas, Windsor III, 6" x 8" , Oil on gessoed card, 2010.

This is the third painting I did at Windsor.




Brocas, Windsor III, 6" x 8" , Oil on gessoed card, 2010.


I just wanted to paint another piece without moving from where I was standing, so I saw this lone tree, it looked interesting so I decided to give it a try.



That's me being roasted in the sun

Again I used the paints straight from the tube, pure alla prima!



Snapshot of the scene

Brocas, Windsor II, 6" x 8" , Oil on gessoed card, 2010.

This is the second painting I did at Windsor. I started before the break and finished after the break.




Brocas, Windsor II, 6" x 8" , Oil on gessoed card, 2010 SOLD


My idea here was to have a composition with less sky and more foreground. I wanted to include some of the painters at work to remember the day and its beauty.



That's me stroking away


Somehow this painting seemed to work from the go and some pieces are just like that. This was done with no under-painting, just pure oil loaded straight from the tube with hardly any medium.



Snap shot of the scene

Brocas, Windsor I, 6" x 8" , Oil on gessoed card, 2010.

This was my first painting at Windsor. I was a bit nervous as I was using my pochade box for the first time! I got this little box from Abbey Easels and so far it is has been great! I'll be posting this 6" x 8" revolution almost everyday from now, so, if you love seeing what can happen on this format, stay tuned!



Brocas, Windsor I, 6" x 8", oil on gessoed card, 2010.


I tried to keep all colours fresh and I worked at a pace that helped me to be as accurate as possible. I felt a bit timid using this new thing but I felt better at the end of the this piece.



The hand that painteth



Snap shot of the scene

Highlights from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Plein Air / Picnic Day

Painters at work, Brocas, Windsor


Yesterday was to me the hottest day this year, so far in the UK and what a day to have plein air painting in the blazing sunlight! Well, that was the atmosphere and spirit in the air when Painters and Friends of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters met for a picnic and painting day. I have always longed to paint with a group of like minded painters and this event fuelled my desire and passion! The location for the day was Brocas, Windsor. This was my first time at Windsor and you bet I'll have to back there painting again! Windsor is simply beautiful and so it is with many other locations in the UK, that remain untapped in terms of painting locations and discoveries for me.



That's me nibbling at my second painting for the day. I ended up producing four pieces. Three during the day and my last one after the refreshments when we all departed. I found it hard to leave. Watch for my posts on each of the paintings I produced


As you know pictures speak louder than words, so some of the pictures below will give you a feel of the day. It started at 10.00am with painters arriving and locating their hotspots and then at 12.45pm we had a picnic/break. We then resumed after an hour to knock off the rest of the paintings and finished at 3.30pm. Then we all met up for refreshments later on.



Peter Wileman's tools of the trade



Edman O'Aivazian was my painting partner and what a great inspiration he turned out to be. He produced a beautiful, vibrant piece in the first half of the day and that was it! He makes it look all so easy with his friendly, funny and casual approach.




David Sandell at work, right in the mood!




This painting by Roger Dellar was knocked off within 90minutes or so, his philosophy remains in his loose impressionistic approach. I was particularly inspired by this piece!




Philip James at work in his fluid painterly style.





Veterans, Peter Wileman(PROI) and Ronald Morgan share some views




Painters and Friends enjoy a picnic

Two Homeless Scenarios, 12" x 12", Sketchbook, 2010

These are two drawings I have done when in hunt of Big Issue Sellers. I have posted in large format so you can read clearly, some of the notes I have written beside the sketches.