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Westminster Bridge and “Big Ben” - Saturday 13th December. Ink/watercolour on a watercolour Moleskine.
This was worked up, later on, from a sketch done in the most amazing rain when we were in London for a family wedding the next day. The drawing does no justice to the wet conditions but it was SO WET that folk were chucking themselves in the River Thames to dry off.
Sarah 1:53 pm on December 19, 2008 | #
London is SO miserable and grey in the wet, but you’ve created light in a natural way to make it seem more attractive despite the grotty conditions. Derain hated London because he thought it was always so miserable (so he painted it non-naturalistically).
Great perspective and I think the path looks VERY watery.
Linda Bachrach 2:22 pm on December 19, 2008 | #
I think the feeling of WET and December come through here nicely and you’ve used interesting color combinations to make London seem much more pleasant than I am sure it actually was!
Sophie Brown 7:25 pm on December 19, 2008 | #
This is maybe my favorite that you’ve done.
Sophie Brown 7:27 pm on December 19, 2008 | #
I think wet things are pretty when you aren’t actually in them yourself.
Rudat 6:16 am on December 20, 2008 | #
With the hint of shadows, looks like it didn’t rain forever. Very nice painting!
trebor61 7:10 am on December 20, 2008 | #
Sarah and Linda - thanks again for taking the time to comment. This was my first trip to London and, yes, I was a bit disappointed as It seemed to be quite dismal although the folk there were very friendly (He hastily added). I used brighter colours as I did not want to end up with something that reeked of Payne’s Grey. (I am quite good at creating “mud”). I shall return, to the capital, when the weather is better. I looked up the Hawaii Watercolor Society, Linda. Very impressive. You are lucky to belong to such an organisation.
Sophie - What a smashing thing to say in your first comment. Also quite an astute observation about things being pretty when you’re not actually there. I would add that the trip seems much better now that it’s over -like looking backwards through rose coloured glasses. ps I note, from the Home Page that you are having difficulty getting in touch so there is an observation for you, added there.
And finally, Susan! You’ve rumbled me again. I COULD say that the shadows were created by sunlight between monsoons but, somehow, I don’t think you would buy that excuse. Truthfully, I added the long shadow because I felt that some contrast might tie things together. I find that this disguised my efforts at the end of a painting. As is actually rained for the whole days, please don’t tell anyone else. Let this be our wee secret. Seriously, I am glad you like the painting. Thanks for the comment and, yes, I agree with your comment, in the home page, about a small donation.
Have a great Christmas everyone.
Bob
Sophie Brown 11:36 am on December 20, 2008 | #
You sound just like I would expect a Scotsman to sound. So you have an obligation to keep that up. Ive never met a Scottish person, at least that I’m aware of, so I have imagined you wearing kilts and eating strange foods and other things that aren’t terribly realistic.
It’s interesting that people are volunteering to send money. I’m on the Bataan Death March at times myself. It’s funny how you can become dependent on websites that cheer you up. I’m not the happiest person (my life is finally beginning very late), so every day I have to browse here and “Urban Sketchers” and things like that really can cheer me up!
trebor61 12:56 pm on December 20, 2008 | #
I’ve only worn a kilt once in my life and that was during cold and snowy weather. Never again! Forget the tales that they are warm. Its a myth. As for food, we don’t really eat strange things - just too much of what other folks have. Glad you get some fun by browsing the site.
Margie 1:45 pm on December 28, 2008 | #
Somehow I missed this one when it came around - now I see it. I love the colors in the walkway/pavement. On my monitor I see a lot of pink. Beautiful!
Lauren 3:04 pm on February 6, 2009 | #
Dear Trebor -
This question might sound bizarre, but I really loved your watercolor. My fiance and I are moving to London in the fall and we were interested in using your painting as part of an invitation we’re creating (going away, etc.). It’s a long story and perhaps better discussed over email but would you be at all interested in releasing or selling the use of the image to me for this invitation? It would only be to a select few and we’d be happy to give you credit for the image. It is nothing commercial at all.
Let me know what you think. My email is: frenchmcnug@gmail.com.
Thank you in advance.
Take care,
Lauren