Man in a Hat

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10 x 14 in  -  25 x 36 cm.     This was inspired by an old (pre World War One) colour photo from the Albert Kahn collection shown on a BBC4 TV prog. Did it come off - almost its a bit heavy handed and not enough lightness for my prefered style of watercolour.

Susan's Sweet Peas

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14 x 10 in  -  36 x 25 cm.    


My wife picked some of her Sweet Peas to take to a friend as a scented bouquet. What more do you need for an instant still life except an apple or two.

This was done in a 'Charles Reid' style which is my standard way to approach painting flowers.

Old Balkan Soldier

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13 x 10 in  -  33 x 25 cm.     This was inspired by an image from the BBC 4 TV series which featured colour photos from the Musee Albert Kahn of the Balkans pre 1914. Has this approach worked? - umm - NO but it was fun trying.

Ca' Rezzonico - Venice

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10 x 14 in  -  25 x 36 cm.     I took the original photo from low down near the water line. I was trying to imitate the low postion that Sargent has when sketcking from a gondola. The painting comes off just but saddly is not that interesting for it. You can see the ref photo click the link under the larger image in the gallery, click the image above to go there.

Beside St Paul's

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14 x 10 in  -  36 x 25 cm.    


As you can see this was a bit of an experiment which did not really come off.

Boat on the Mud

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10 x 14 in  -  25 x 36 cm.     An attempt to show the mud of in one of the estuaries on the Essex coast. You decide if it came off.

John's Lady and John's Yacht

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Click either Image to see larger version in my gallery

Both paintings  10 x 14 in  -  25 x 36 cm.     Of course you have to understand that this is not really John's yacht or his lady. Instead these paintings are just from reference photos he had previously taken.

A Family on the Beach

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10 x 14 in  -  25 x 36 cm.     Just a family on the beach last summer. I have changed the colour of the chair from green to blue and felt of nearly the daughter who is out of frame (to the left). I am not sure what to say about it. While the painting is more "meticulist" that I want to paint it works so I should not complain.

The Grand Canal

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10 x 14 in  -  25 x 36 cm.     This started out as an attempt at a Charles Reid style appoach but it soon went off the rail so to speak. You can get to the ref image via the big version in the gallery double click the painting.

The floor of the Frari - Venice

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14 x 10 in  -  36 x 25 cm.    

This one fell between two stools, the floor was inspired by a Charles Reid style high key and enhanced colour but the pews are my attempt a John Yardley way but they have not quite come off. They may be a lot better dareker.

You can get to the ref pic that inpired the painting by clicking the image and following the link.

Santa Maria della Salute

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9.5 x 12 in  -  24 x 30 cm.     This was done in a (sort of) Charles Reid inspired style but using only secondary colours Mauve/Violet, Green and Orange. Well it sort of works, well almost.

Ducking

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14 x 10 in  -  36 x 25 cm.    

Perhaps I should have made the gondolier duck a little more. He did in real life but I thought it would look a little contrived if I showed it that way.

Concentration

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14 x 10 in  -  36 x 25 cm.    

Back to trying a portrait. This time it is an old friend of mine. Clicking on the image will get you to first a larger size image and from the link on that page you can get to the reference image.

I draw all my paintings first freehand from just looking at the photo. Thankfully I and getting quicker at it.

Bridge and Gondola

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10 x 14 in  -  25 x 36 cm.     Here is another studio attempt at a Venice painting. Well it works but it lacks the fluidity I would like it to have

Colourful Girl

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14 x 10 in  -  36 x 25 cm.    

Time for a change - this is an enhanced colour portraint with more than a nod to Charles Reid. Well it sort of worked.