Thursday 6 October 2016

#130 'Rainy Day, Victoria Embankment' 9.5x12"


This was the painting I started last weekend outside in London.  It was a complex subject and good size painting to tackle en plein air and in the rain! See pic below.


I used my 'Best Brella' for the first time and it was a boon! I couldn't have painted otherwise as it was raining too hard. Didn't stop me getting cold and wet but my palette and painting was dry! You can buy the pochade umbrellas from America, same people as the Palette Garage.
I experimented with colour themes I wanted to emphasis the rainy grey day but when I got the painting home it looked very grey and washed out. So I left it to dry and re worked it, I'm happy with the result, especially the composition.

Sadly I didn't get into the Royal Institue of Oil Painters Exhibtion. (ROI) But I'm really pleased to have got 2 paintings through the first round, it shows I'm on the right track and will keep trying with the London shows :-) Some stats for the ROI all approximate: 1000 people entered online 300 got through the first round 95 through into the final exhibition. 


3 comments:

  1. An evocative painting.....Colours so redolent of a rainy day in London; touches of red just enough and as you say, composition perfect.
    Your last four paintings.....diverse subjects....each I think painted totally applicable to the subject, well done!

    The 'Best Brella' looks just "the business" as Collin would say.

    Disappointing for you not to get in to the ROI but at least short-listed, although I feel it won't be too long until you achieve a London show. :-)

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    1. Thank you ebbybow, nice that you notice that I change the way I paint something to fit the subject. It also helps push me out of my comfort to experiment with what fits the subject, often I dont know if it will work out, a leap of faith :-) Clare

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  2. Love this London scene, really captures the feeling of a rainy day with the wet pavement. I really like the way that you add a splash of colour in your paintings with the umbrella and the blue jeans and the big red buses. ROI can expect you next year!

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