Blog Archives
Where did the Summer go!
A few days in La Napoule near Cannes resulted in this sketch of the local Castle
Hi Everybody
Thanks for reading my Blog.
Its been a wet and rather odd summer in Kent this year with showers, wind, heavy rain and sun too.
It has been a odd time for my painting too but nevertheless I have managed to paint quite a few watercolours including s9me new styles and sizes.
i have also now have some watercolours in a local Gallery and in a few other locations in Kent.
I don’t think that in these difficult times that buying Art is not high on peoples priorities but maybe the winter will see sales retuning for artists once again.
So we here are some recent watercolours for you to see in case you think I have stopped painting!
I had a big desire to paint a series of very impressionistic watercolours and here are some of them
Bamburgh Castle at Dawn
Venice Lagoon sunrise
Dawn off the Kent coast
And a few more traditional watercolours
A sketch of the Watersmeet hotel where we once stayed at in Devon at Coombesgate bay
A large notebook sketch done in preparation for a watercolour of Malcesine on Lake Garda for some very good friends.
Sailing on Lake Windermere, painted from a sketch when we visited there
At the Beach!
Broadstairs in Kent for a local Exhibition at “The Drawing Room” in West Malling
So there you are , a few of my Summer 2023 Watercolours which I hope you will like.
And lastly our local Art Club asked for a Black and white only artwork for a little competion
Here are two , they were such fun to do and so quick!
Oare Creek near Faversham
Rye in East Sussex at low tide
If you do a moment do have a look at my Artfinder site
http://www.artfinder.com/brianswatercolours
Or if you are in Kent do visit the Gallery in West Malling called “The Drawing Room”where you will find many artworks by local Kent artists, ideal as Presents!
Happy travelling
Brian
More views of Venice – Update 2
Evening glow at Santa Maria Della Salute from the Academia bridge in Venice. Watercolour 14 inches by 10.
Hi
I have been asked a few times since my last Venice post where we stayed and from where I took the photos that formed the basis for the paintings.
In fact we stayed at the Locanda Vivaldi Hotel right on the Riva Schiavoni which is just a short walk from St Mark’s Square and the centre of Venice.
We really enjoyed staying there and it is a nice hotel with a lovely roof top terrace.
Many photos were taken from there, some with zoom lenses and they are the basis for a lot of my Venice watercolours.
Of course when visiting Venice there are great scenes on every corner and there is unlimited subjects for artists. I certainly hope to be back there painting in the future.
We arrived at the Locanda Vivaldi by water taxi from the airport. Although more expensive that the ferry boats this is such an exciting way to get to the heart of Venice from the airport. We had booked in advance.
This week, looking back again though my photos I found one taken as we arrived and so this is a new painting depicting that moment. A small traghetto was passing by as we approached too the hotel under the bridge.
So here it this watercolour and a couple of others painted some time ago ,but again from the Riva Schiavoni or nearby
i hope you will enjoy seeing them
stay safe and well
Brian
Arriving by water taxi at the Locanda Vivaldi Hotel in Venice. Watercolour 16 inches by 12.
Arriving at San Marco by Vaporetto Watercolour 15 inches by 11.
Gondolas and San Georgio from the Riva Schiavoni
Views of Venice
Views of Venice
“Threatening clouds over Venice” The view from the rooftop terrace of the Locanda Vivaldi Hotel in Venice. Watercolour 14 inches by 10.
Hi Everybody
Some few years ago we visited Venice with friends and stayed in the delightful Locanda Vivaldi Hotel, situated on the Riva Schiavoni.
It has a great location and the views from the roof terrace are really lovely both of the Riva Schiavoni and the Church of Santa Maria della Sallute and also across to the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.
i have been revisiting my photos taken from there and in doing so have painted two new watercolours of the views from the terrace, plus I have added to this post some previous watercolours also inspired by the scenes from that Rooftop terrace.
I love Venice and the amazing scenes at every corner you turn, and so I hope you like these few watercolours too.
Most of these watercolours are currently for sale on Artfinder if you are interested in purchasing one.
Happy Travelling and stay safe and well
Brian
A closer view of Chiesa Santa Maria della Salute. Watercolour 14 inches by 10.
The Church of San Giorgio Maddiore across the lagoon from the Riva Schiavoni. Watercolour 16 by 12inches.
Evening in Venice. Watercolour 16 by 12 inches
Back to Venice – I wish!
Sitting here in the UK in what is now rather dreary weather, too wet for golf and my mind turns to Venice!
We have been lucky enough to have visited Venice on a few occasions and each time there is some magical new sight to see.
So going back through the many photos I have taken there I realised I have never attempted to paint a watercolour of Saint Mark’s Square, “Piazza San Marco”. So yesterday I decided to have go at it.
Once when we were there there was a bit of flooding in the Square which does happen quite often so I have tried to convey that in this watercolour. I thought I had better say that in case you didn’t notice!
I hope you enjoy looking at it and just to set the scene here are two fairly recent paintings of The Rialto Bridge and The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute as well.
Ah, Venice, oh to be there now sipping a cocktail in Harry’s bar!
Happy travelling
Brian
Piazza San Marco -A watercolour 14 inches by 10 on Arches Rough 300gsm paper
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute on the Grand Canal Venice from the Academia bridge. A watercolour 14 inches by 10 on Arches 300gsm paper.
The Rialto bridge on the Grand Canal in Venice. A Watercolour on Arches 300gsm paper.
One view, two paintings!
Hi All
Ah, Venice!
What a wonderful City, such views, such enigma, such a great place to go!
I am very lucky as we have been there quite a few times and it never dissappoints.
The crowds in St Mark’s Square may seem overwhelming, but, at almost any time of the day, just a few minutes away is a quiet backwater canal with beautiful bridges, little squares, beautiful Palazzos and waterfront cafes. We have spent hours wandering through these parts of Venice before emerging back at the bustle of the Riva Schiavone. From here walk along the lagoon to Riva Sette Martiri where the whole expanse of that part of the lagoon can be seen.
Over the years I have painted quite a few Venice scenes, but alas I have never been able to have the time to sit and quietly paint whilst there. It always seems to be from photographs.
But this post isn’t about all those other paintings, they can be for another time.
This post is about just that one view across the lagoon from Riva Sette Martiri where you can see the beautiful scene of San Giorgio Maggiore and to the right the entrance to the Grand Canal which is dominated by the Santa Maria della Salute.
These 16 inch by 12 watercolours have been painted in the studio from a mixture of photos from previous visits.
Here are the two paintings of that same scene.
The first on a cool spring day and the second that same scene as sunset approaches.
Venice – Across the Lagoon to San Giorgio Maggiore. Watercolour 16 inches by 12.
Venice at Sunset – Across the Lagoon to San Giorgio Maggiore. Watercolour 16 inches by 12.
I will be back there!
I hope you like them.
Happy travelling.
Brian.
