Jerusalem, Israel, 15" x 11".

A side street in the Old City area of Jerusalem.  Mainly souvenir shops and cafes here with their curved blinds (tricky to get right and the perspective).  Again, I am trying to connect all the shapes with some deep shadows, shadows which are cooler at the bottom with a touch of cobalt blue.  Also in this painting I did a bit of scraping out with the sharp end of a nail file.  You have to scrape when the paint is still moist and timing is important - too early and the gap you made closes out, too late and you damage the surface of the paper.

Landscape Watercolour of Tel Aviv, 15" x 11"

A street near the sea front in Tel Aviv and I thought it made a good composition, looking down the road and through the natural arch of the large trees. With the light coming from behind I had to do my best with creating light and dark, and a bit of contrast, so brought some deep shadows on the right.

Landscape Watercolour of Tel Aviv, 15" x 11"

The sea front in Tel Aviv looking south with the tall modern apartment blocks with great views over the Mediterranean.  I have tried to include all the main watercolour techniques here with warm and cool tones, wet in wet and dry brush strokes of the posts.  The circular patterns on the promenade were done in one and lead you into the picture hopefully!

Landscape Watercolour of Jerusalem, 15" x 11"

The wide Sultan Suleiman road leading west towards the Damascus Gate of the old city. Steps in this painting were, 1) wash of sky and foreground, then left to dry.  2) Castle shadows and background buildings, cutting around figure and cars.  Lastly 3) figures and shadows.  With the figures, I normally paint in the faces first, then any bare arms and legs.  Shadows for me would be the last stage.  I think maybe those 2 palms on the right could have been a touch lighter in tone.

Landscape Watercolour of Jerusalem, 15" x 11"

A busy market scene in Jerusalem, with oriental rugs hung high and the surrounding of the ancient buildings of the old part of town.  Stages in this painting were 1) Sky, 2) Wash over most of the painting of yellow ochre and then left to dry. 3) In with the darks going around the figures with a bit of negative painting (actually done with quite a large mop brush) and then 5) figures & details.

Landscape Watercolour of Tel Aviv, 15" x 11"

A street corner in Tel Aviv.  Well it could be any city.  The painting is based on a holiday snap.  The first thing I do if the picture has some white in it or the stripes of the zebra crossing is dull it down a bit with some dirty or blueish paint, and not to make the stripe too perfect but cut across the edges.

Landscape Watercolour of Jerusalem, 15" x 11"

A busy street corner in the old part of Jerusalem, just opposite the Damascus Gate.  There was a varied mixture of shops here, street vendors and even a Hotel in the middle.  What attracted me was the challenge of simplifying the scene (extracting many people and a few cars whizzing around the junction here), and I think the blinds with their stripes added a bit of interest.

Landscape Watercolour of Tel Aviv, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs

The whole of the West side of Tel Aviv is one long beach, and many of the access roads take you through areas sometimes in need of a little renovation, which is unusual for Tel Aviv because the city is modern and clean.  On the beach, you could be in a resort anywhere on the Mediterranean and difficult to believe you're in an area which has seen so many troubles in the past.

Landscape Watercolour of Jerusalem, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lb

The Via Dolorosa (Path of Sorrow or "Way of the Cross") in Jerusalem is the route tradition says that Jesus followed from his condemnation by the Romans to the spot where he was buried after the crucifixion.  Now you’ll find the street can be noisy – with venders vying for your attention calling out their wares. Old stone buildings rise up on either side, and instead of a tree-lined country lane, seemingly endless stone steps ascend through the city.