Late Afternoon Light Reflections, Albert Bridge, 8" x 10", Oil on Board (Plein air)

This is another one in the reflections series.

My studio is very close to Albert Bridge and every now and then I pop down to do a painting. It's a nice experience, The River Thames never ceases to be one of those spots I just can't get enough of.

Late Afternoon Light Reflections, Albert Bridge, 8" x 10", Oil on Board

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I started this one with a very detailed drawing as can  be seen below. There was so much to see that I needed to be careful to make sure everything was in the right place.

The beginning, my very detailed approach, I sketch with pencil on the board, measuring was vital.

I didn't take much stage shots but I  had a photo of the final stage before I called it quits.

The full set up

SPECIAL QUOTE
"Once we make a decision to do a thing, the means appear......"-Andrew Matthews

Spring Reflections, Oliver's Island- Strand on the Green, 8" x 10", Oil on Board, (Plein Air)

Spring Reflections,  Oliver's Island -Strand on The Green, 8" x 10" , Oil on Board

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I am continuing a series of paintings on reflections and this was painting was done on a wonderful day out with members of the ROI at Strand on the Green, I really enjoyed painting this scene and it was a great experience because I was able to sit down under a shady tree without much distractions but most importantly, the light remain constant for most of the day.

The Scene and the set up.

SPECIAL QUOTE
"Once the painting becomes a burden and you just don't know what to do, don't fiddle, STOP!!"-Adebanji Alade

Afternoon Light, Regents Canal, 6" x 8", Oil on board (Plein Air)

This little painting was done in the afternoon at a lovely place near Kings Cross St Pancras, called, Regents Canal.

Afternoon Light,. Regents Canal, 6" x 8", Oil on Board

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I only discovered the place when I was out painting  with my friends and I was thinking of somewhere to paint. I love painting water, so when I got to Kings Cross St Pancras, I saw a sign that showed directions on how to get to a Canal. I simply followed the directions till I got to this lovely spot.

Adding the finishing touches with a smile (photo by Olha Pryymak)

The day was brilliant and the reflections and trees in background just highlighted the beauty of the place.

A picture of the scene!

I long for places like this!

SPECIAL QUOTE
"Sometimes it's the the love we have for the scenes we paint that shines through in the finished product! Look for a place you love, a place you have feelings for and put some of those feelings into the painting!"-Adebanji Alade

Plein Air Painting of MV Bolgen & other Boats at Cadogan Pier

MV Bolgen & other boats at Cadogan Pier, Chelsea Embankment, 18" x 10", Oil on Canvas Board, 2012-picture taken with my  I-Phone-sorry about the quality.

This morning I embarked on painting one of my beloved scenes around the Chelsea Embankment. A walk along the Chelsea Embankment is one of my best walks in London and it's always great to paint a place one loves.

Adebanji painting the MV Bolgen and other boats along Cadogan Pier, Chelsea Embankment

Here in this post I have decided to share some "stage shots" of the painting in progress. It's not a step by step procedure but just a good way of seeing how I go about these pieces using the "inside-out" technique of painting shape by shape, from the inside of the painting till it spreads all over to fill up the surface.

1. Ready to go, The Canvas board is given a warm wash of Burnt Sienna, this was already done in the studio with acrylic.

2. The very important grid lines and diagonals-this helps me position the main  features exactly where I want them

3. With some careful strokes laid with some precision but with the mind of an impressionist, I sketch and paint at the same time, working on the boring buildings in the background first, and then coming closer to the boats.

4. I think here-I had finally got the hang of the buildings and then I began to gradually come lower into the middle area, where most of the action takes place. 

5. At this stage I got the first few strokes of the water in, and a few reflections, the water keeps changing, it's always better when it is still.

6. I am really deep into it now, working on the reflections and trying my best to nail the right colour of the murky River  Thames on a grey day.

7. And finally- it's details and pulling the whole piece together, I hadn't made up my mind on whether to stop-then the rain came to my rescue and that was it for the day!

Hope you enjoyed this-I always have fun looking over the palettes of other artists-it's always a treat!

SPECIAL QUOTE
"The tide was in and the creek glassy, so I met the Mayor of Kingsbridge, who was off to paint his boat and a man who quizzed me- not the first time- on the build quality of my box easel! He was a joiner and was redesigning one-god, did I get excited! We exchanged emails and I never heard from him again!-(Peter Brown on one of his experiences while painting "Salcombe down from Southpool Creek")