#398 'Nocturn, Maria Della Salute' 8x10"

An impulse paint! As I hadn't planned to do a nocturne, I usually arrive early get myself set up and draw in and wait until the light hits the sky and water and then scrabble to get it down! This time I really noticed the lights on the water and intense orange strip of sky, I couldn't resist it!
Difficult painting in the dark, luckily a lamp on the Academia Bridge was over my head but it's still a little bit of guess work, I'm pleased with the result though.

#373 'Venice Nocturne' no.1 10x10"

Two paintings in a day and then do a nocturne I was exhausted! But making the most of having artistic company and so it was a loose, lively interpretation.

Before I left the house I mixed my palette of colours, yellows, oranges violets and a black. Because even with a light its difficult to see the colours when in the dark. As its hard to see the colours. Also to make sure I had a good range of tone from very light to very dark. 

The light I used was a orchestra style double pronged head one lit the painting the other the palette. Unfortunately the oil paint sheen was lit and I couldn't see the surface very well. So you couldn't paint tight even if you wanted to!

I want to do more as this is a warm up and good start... :-)

#241 'Gondolas at Night' 8x8"

This is my first nocturnal painting, there are not many places I've been that would inspire me to go and paint at night! This is one of them, with the dancing light on the water and tonal shapes were great.

My painter buddy (Neil Pitcher) had a great light its one used by a musian in an orchestra pit. A two pronged light one to light your painting the other your palette. I needed one as I couldn't see the oclours very well and when I got home that night I was horrified by a strong green I had put down instead of a wamer colour. I wiped it and painted this bit again. 
But on the whole I'm pleased with this one as it gives a flavour of night.