It was good to see some of the ROI stalwarts, including Peter (Il Presidente!) and Jo Wileman. (I am sure he has a very large chain of office somewhere but had eschewed it in favour of smart-but-unadorned mufti). David, Valerie Pirlot (looking very glamorous) and I had a good look round and then sloped off to the pub but not before we knew that David had already sold two works, Lucie McKie one and Il Presidente one. David stayed at the Uni and I had a sleepless night in Newton Mill camp site - great site, pity about the foul-mouthed chavs returning from Bath at 1, 2 and 3 in the morning!
I had painted that morning in George Street - the location chosen for me by the Bath Prize organisers. David had already done a great job of looking down the street but there were so many people at that spot I had to find somewhere else so I parked myself at the Slug and Lettuce. Working with artist's oils again (rather than alkyd) oils and they are taking some getting used to!
Up early the next day and crouched in a corner shop doorway at 6am to do this little gouache out past Campden Crescent:
David phoned and we met to stooge around the Landsdown Crescent Area, eventually discovering the allotments at Sion Hill. He reckoned that Peter Brown had painted them and so they would be worth trying. Valerie joined us and we spent a happy couple of hours daubing. They both worked in closer tones and a lower key than me and I think they made the right choice but for what it's worth here are my runner beans:
After a late lunch in the Slug and Lettuce, George St, we explored the river. Valerie stuck with the crowds but David and I escaped to the quieter region of Victoria Park. By then it was 4pm and blustery so we decided to make it quick. Again I chose a high key and again David's choice of working in the mid range paid off. I also used a violent Cadmium Lemon that I just had to overpaint when I got home and of course lost the freshness in the process:
Tim, I really enjoyed reading this post! You have a nice way with words...but of course....it's all about the pictures really :o) I think your paintings turned out extremely well. The 'red umbrella' painting works beautifully (remember, I wiped mine off in a fit of dissatisfaction!). George St has a nice play of colours and a strong composition. A nice reflective mood in Campden Crescent and you managed to combine the beans, poplar and distant hills into a coherent and well observed study.
ReplyDeleteYour painting of the Crescent has a good balance and I like the way you've cropped the tree. That bright grass was really tricky to match with paint but you managed it well. A throughly enjoyable and productive paint out. A wise choice not to risk a second night of disturbance at the camp site....remember the ear plugs next time! :o)
Great post Tim! But you are always so harsh with yourself! Your paintings are lovely and you did much better than me for the river painting - I will probably paint over mine. Your Milsom street one is very lively and vibrant and you caught the characters very well - a thing I'm always struggling with. And thanks for the "glamourous" compliment by the way;)
ReplyDeleteTim,
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed your post. I've followed Valerie's and David's for quite a while but am very glad Valerie let me know about yours as well. I will be signing up to follow it. I enjoy both the art and the background story. It has been so very hot here 50+ days over 100, it was 107 today. Autumn seems so far away right now. We may not have any foliage left to turn colors if this continues. I may have to rely on the three of you for fall color.