New Painting, London’s Bridges

Posted by on Nov 7, 2011 in Work in progress | 8 Comments

Work in progress on new painting inspired by day out in London…

I took some photos while on the Millennium Bridge recently, the sky was really stormy and the whole scene was very dark and foreboding.

Here is my attempt to recreate the feeling I got from it.

This is my initial pencil drawing on top of an old picture on some pre-stretched watercolour paper. It shows also my attempts to establish basic colours and tones on some areas. I liked the idea of a huge sky in the top two thirds and the cityscape and river in the bottom third.

UPDATE: 5.11.2011

Here is the progress to date – I am not sure whether I have gone too dark overall but I think I still have to do some more work on the bridges, river and the skyline behind the buildings. The painting is basically in Acrylic but I have used some coloured pencil to tone down bits or change colours slightly as this can be easily rubbed out or over-painted once I am happy with it.

I think it looks a bit moody although I don’t want it to look like London’s burning so may have to tone down the orange in the skyline!

What do people think?

Nearly finished – WATCH THIS SPACE!!

UPDATE: 12.11.2011
Well I think it is now  finally finished but I will leave it stretched till I am sure. This photo looks a little lighter and colder than the previous one but it is because it was taken in daylight – the scan will have the correct colours.

UPDATE: 15.11.2011

Actually I have decided that the painting is finally finished and have scanned it and decided to frame it as below.

8 Comments

  1. Elaine Kidd
    November 8, 2011

    Can we see the finished painting?

    Reply
    • Alan
      November 8, 2011

      Hi Elaine,

      You will be able to see the finished painting when it IS finished. Till then you will have to look at it in my studio!!!

      Alan

      Reply
  2. Diana & Andy
    November 11, 2011

    Can we come and look at it in your studio too??!!
    xx

    Reply
    • Alan
      November 11, 2011

      Diana,
      You know you and Andy are welcome in my studio any time!
      Alan x

      Reply
  3. Bryan Flint
    November 13, 2011

    love the sky !

    Reply
  4. Laura Kidd
    November 15, 2011

    It’s wonderful Dad … love the moody sky 🙂 xxx

    Reply
  5. Nick (Australian!)
    November 15, 2011

    Very clever symmetry on the bridge Al – sure it looks even better offline!

    Reply
  6. TONY MAYCOCK
    November 18, 2011

    As always Alan your paitnings are magnificent. Well done, it’s beautiful and must look fantastic in real life.

    Reply

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