by Clare Bowen | Feb 20, 2020 | Bridge, Cityscape, London
Sometimes a painting doesn’t go to plan. I started a large one before this and I worked for 2 days on it and then scrapped it. Drawn out, the composition seemed to work but with paint on it was ‘thin’ and lacking. On a big canvas there is nowhere to...
by Clare Bowen | Dec 8, 2019 | Albert Bridge, Bridge, London
I painted this back in the spring, it’s my biggest painting to date 80x100cm. I wanted a centre piece for my solo exhibition in Chelsea, London. It has since been hung at the New Ashgate Gallery for the Surrey Artist of the Year. Also it was my submission...
by Clare Bowen | Nov 18, 2019 | Albert Bridge, Bridge, London
I did this painting in June as a warm up to the Sky Landscape Artist of the Year program I was on. (See previous post) A large canvas 40x50cm done en plein air and trying to cover it as much as I could in one go, this is where I got up to outside: I decided the bottom...
by Clare Bowen | Nov 3, 2018 | Albert Bridge, Bridge, Chelsea, Clouds, London, Reflection, Sky, The Thames
I used a home made linen board….METHOD for making one: I roughly cut out some preprimed canvas stuck it to a MDF board so it overhung on the sides. I used Neutral PH PVA glue (so it wont rot in the future.) Once dry I cut it butt up to the board with a...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 31, 2018 | Albert Bridge, Autumn, Bridge, Chelsea, London, The Thames
Arriving in London I had a plan to paint the same scene as I did this time last year:Including a bit more of the river bank and boats on a bigger board.The tide was very low, which helped the composition anchoring it on the side. Also the space between the pink part...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 6, 2018 | Accademia Bridge, Bridge, Grand Canal, Italy, Maria Della Salute, Nocturne, Reflection, Venice
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...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 4, 2018 | Bridge, Buildings, Canal, Italy, Reflection, Venice
It’s hard to believe this lovely old white building was used as a hospital, such grandeur in Venice! I focused on getting the colours vibrant as they were sunlit and the strong shadows on the building and the water.
by Clare Bowen | Sep 5, 2018 | Accademia Bridge, Boats, Bridge, Buildings, Grand Canal, Maria Della Salute, Orange, Venice
This was so fun to paint!! Although a little daunting too as many artists over the years have painted this subject standing on Academia Bridge from Monet to Ken Howard…We are very lucky as this bridge is a few minutes walk from our house. It’s a dream...
by Clare Bowen | Sep 4, 2018 | Bridge, Limited Palette, Venice
When I arrive in a new location I just want to get the first painting under my belt! Start it off and get into the flow, I also just feel itchy to do it!So this was it, feeling my way with the colours, shapes and the strong bouncing light of Venice. Decided to do...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 12, 2018 | Bridge, England, Landscape, Oil Painting, Reflection, River Wey, Summer
It was a toss up between Waggoners Wells and Tilford Green. I was painting with Sarah Manolescue when we got to Tilford there was bridge works happening and it wasn’t obvious what to paint. We walked around thinking we should maybe try Waggoners, but often the...
by Clare Bowen | Apr 19, 2018 | Artist Life, Bridge, Cityscape, London, Richmond Bridge, River Thames, Spring, Sunshine, The Thames
I have been visiting my sister in South Africa a hard decision not to take my paints but lovely to have family time and a break. So I’m fresh and ready to go and what a day to start back…Painted this yesterday in glorious spring weather. So warm it...
by Clare Bowen | Feb 13, 2018 | Albert Bridge, Bridge, Cityscape, Landscape, London, The Mall Galleries, The Thames
During a rainy day when plein air isn’t so easy or appealing I painted this in my studio from a small plein air I did in September last year. I had started it (see pic below) and then it sat in my studio for a month. I was unsure as to whether it was going...
by Clare Bowen | Jan 28, 2018 | Bridge, Buildings, Cityscape, Clouds, London, The Thames, Tower Bridge
The sky was beautiful when I arrived a typical English with cloud fluffies and crisp blue behind them. I was lucky as by the time I’d painted the sky it had clouded over and it was mainly grey! So different and not as magical.I thought it maybe helpful & or...
by Clare Bowen | Jan 19, 2018 | Bridge, Cityscape, Hammersmith Bridge, London, The Thames
Really tough conditions, biting cold wind, gusts of 38MPH, I tied my easel to the lamp post so I didn’t have to hold onto it the whole time. Trying to do any detail was tricky as it buffeted your arm but I’m still happy with how its turned out, it captures...
by Clare Bowen | Nov 23, 2017 | Boats, Bridge, Cityscape, London, Putney, River Thames
I went to see Richard Pikesleys solo exhitbition yesterday at the Russell Gallery in Putney. Really inspiring show, I love his mark making and amazing light! So I was all fired up afterwards and did this painting. I was lucky with the tide it was just right...
