Original Watercolours by Tim Wilmot

The Green Mosque, Bursa, Turkey

Landscape Watercolour of Bursa, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 140 lbs

The Green Mosque (or Yesil Cami in Turkish) is a very historic site in Bursa and popular tourist spot.  As well as the Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum here, there are many souvenir shops selling what I thought was good quality stuff and staff dressed in traditional ottoman uniforms.  The Green Mosque, commissioned by Sultan Mehmet I Çelebi and finished in 1424, is set on a promontory overlooking the valley with great views over Bursa city.  It takes its name from the green-blue tiles of the interior - but it has a pretty bright exterior also.

 

Alexandria Street 10, Egypt

Landscape Watercolour of Alexandria, 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 140 lbs

At first arrival in Alexandria the most common colour you see in buildings are drab browns and greys, but on closer observation you see warmer colours, reds, greens and warm ochres. I wanted to get in this quick sketch a feeling of those hues and the chaos in some of the back streets with cars parked anywhere, overhead cables all over the place, unfinished tower blocks with their upper storeys empty and without windows. But it's a beautiful place and great for painting subjects especially watercolour.

Placa Catalunya, Girona

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.

 

 

Street corner cafe, Girona, Spain

Landscape Watercolour, Girona, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs

A very busy street corner on the main road Carrer de Barcelona in Girona just down from the Railway Station.  Girona's a fascinating place and on my visit I was able to take many reference photos for future paintings.  I am sure if I stayed there, I would have enough painting material for many months to keep me busy.

 

Busy Bursa Street, Turkey

Landscape Watercolour of Bursa, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs

A busy street in Bursa, 4th largest city in Turkey.  All the drivers are very well behaved.  It could be any street in the world, but add in a minaret and a Doner Kebap sign and it instantly says a Turkish scene.  This particular street i can remember had many 'Durums' - street cafes that specialise in doner wraps - of course Doner was 'invented' in Bursa.

 

Zeytinbagi Turkey 2

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!

 

Chipping Sodbury High Street & War Memorial

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.

 

Chipping Sodbury High Street - Portcullis Hotel

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.

 

Newquay Town Centre, Cornwall.

Landscape Watercolour Newquay Cornwall, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs

The bottom end of the town centre in Newquay, Cornwall, and by day it's a popular seaside resort, especially in the summer months, but especially busy on Friday and Saturday nights as this is the main bar and nightclub area.  But you would hardly notice that during the day.

 

Newquay Cornwall

Landscape Watercolour of Newquay, Cornwall, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs

Newquay, a popular resort on the North Cornish coast of the UK and a big surfing centre.  There's a long winding high street, the main shopping area,  through the middle of town with glimpses now and then down through to the sea. I thought this view made a good composition with the two sides of the street and a bit of an improvised shadow coming across the front.