Landscape Watercolour of Girona, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Placa Catalunya - a great central point in Girona and stradles the River Onyar that runs through the medieval city. The River was all dried up when I was there, but I guess the water levels rise in the Winter. Anyway, all the sightseeing areas are within easy walking distance of this point.
Landscape Watercolour of Uskudar Istanbul, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Üsküdar, once known as Scutari, is a large district on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, opposite the European side of Istanbul. For visitors to Istanbul, Üsküdar is important for it's mosques - many are situated here with their lovely domes and they make great subjects of painting with the architecture and of course the challenge of painting a dome and trying to make it look symmetrical! Easier here when you can disguise half of it with a building in the foreground!
Landscape Watercolour of Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
On the Marmara Sea, on the North West coast of Turkey and the quaint fishing village/town of Zeytinbagi. The town is well known for it's antique timber houses, most of which have not had their exteriors maintained too well, but this gives them a lovely shabby chic appearance which adds to their charm, as does their ochre hues. A great place to paint, especially when the suns out, and they sell Efes beer!
Landscape Watercolour of Chipping Sodbury, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
The bottom of the High Street and the War Memorial on a small roundabout used most of the time as an easy way of turning around and going back up the street, but this time of year (early November) a point of remembrance of all those who gave up their lives in two World Wars and other conflicts.
Painting with the light behind you is quite difficult I think in watercolour (probably easier with oil) - few shadows to define shapes, and little contrasts of tone. Anyway I gave it my best shot.
Landscape Watercolour of Chipping Sodbury, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Another view of Chipping Sodbury High Street at the lower end of town, looking towards the 'Portcullis Hotel & Pub' (middle of painting) with the late afternoon sunshine coming across. The High Street remains unchanged with many old buildings 3 or 4 hundred years old and whilst not made of Cotswold stone, they have that same cosy look and feel.
Landscape Watercolour, Alexandria Egypt, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
An archway very close to the old Citadel in Alexandria and a glimpse through to the bay beyond. I am sure this archway had some great significance - there were two large plaques either side of the entrance with arabic script on them, and a guard sat on a blue plastic chair with his worry beads.
Landscape Watercolour of Via Dolorosa, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Via Dolorosa ("Way of Grief" in Latin) is a road in the old city of Jerusalem, a path where Jesus was lead in agony, carrying the crucifixion cross. Via Dolorosa is located within the beautiful old city of Jerusalem and this is the view up to the Ecce Homo Arch (“Behold the man” in Latin). According to the New Testament, these were the words uttered by the Roman prosecutor when he presented Jesus to the people before being sentenced.
Day 5 and the morning exercise was a typical French/Italian market scene in a small square. It was I guess a practice in composition again, tonal values and light. As per normal I did not listen 100% to teacher and had slightly modified the example we should have copied. So mine was probably more Southern Italy in atmosphere rather than France:
My next effort (again a rush job before lunch, so done in 30 minutes or so) was closer to Joseph's style with perhaps less strength in the colours, a bit more subtle and a looser feel to the shadows, background building and figures under the parasols.
In the afternoon I did a quick sketch of the bay in front of the hotel, looking over to the far side of Cadeques.
Landscape Watercolour, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs.
Zeytinbağı is the new name for the old Greek town of Tirilye, and is a very pleasant place on the Marmara sea with lovely Tea Houses, Cafes and Restaurants (nice Fish Restaurants here or Turkish name 'Balik'). Apart from the busy fishing port, the architecture is a great attraction with the old timber houses and their upper floors larger than those below.
Landscape Watercolour of Huddersfield, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140lbs
A view looking west up Westgate Street in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The Town has the third highest number of listed buildings in the UK, with architectural styles ranging from classical, to victorian and modern. Overall you are struck by the warm ochre and reddish tones of the stonework in much of the construction.
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