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.

BIG ISSUE SERIES XII

I met Nick On Villiers Street when coming out of Embankment Station. He became my 12th disciple in the Big Issue Series.

BIG ISSUE SERIES VIII, IX, X, XI

All the Big Issue Vendors in this post were done in the City of Bath. One thing I observed about the Difference between London and Bath is that the public tend to respond better and almost all the Vendors at Bath wear a sort of uniform top.

They were all great characters with great stories too!

Enjoy!

LUKE



CHRIS



RONEY





MIKE

Interior Light in Farmyard I, 12" x 18", Oil on Board, 2010 ( Royal Institute of Oil Painters Exhibition May, 2010)

As a provisional member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, I'll be exhibiting my first farm painting at their Members only exhibition, which runs from May 16 to 29 at the lovely Hawker Gallery in Amersham.



This piece will mark the beginning of more farm paintings!

It was done with oil on board.

BIG ISSUE SERIES VII

Met Harvey as he calls himself at the front of the National Portrait Gallery, this guy has been the most efficient salesman I have met so far! Nice voice, contemplative greeting and nice jokes, even tries to guess where the tourists come from. He makes number 7 of my current series of Big Issue Sellers.




I sketched him and he was pleased. He allowed photography after the sketch.



NEXT:Watch out for 4 Big Issue sellers I captured on Friday in the City of Bath!

Sketches on the bus, train and tube in May V

Just got into the real sketching zone on the 12th and 13th of May, hence loads of sketches.