by Clare Bowen | Jan 31, 2019 | Architecture, Dawn, Italy, Maria Della Salute, Pink, Purple, Sunrise, The Grand Canal, Venice
A studio painting developed from a plein air piece. I painted this subject over 15 times, so I know it well and felt comfortable painting it bigger. One for my solo show in May in London!Plein air studySketch book drawing on location (later in the day with more...
by Clare Bowen | Jan 24, 2019 | Orange, Palm Trees, Pink, Sea, Seascape, Silhouette, Sky, Sunrise
24x30cm Sunrise, Gran CanariaMy husband Nick and I had a week in the sun over the Christmas holidays, a proper break without my paints or his camera. (First one since our honeymoon 4 years ago!)I did however bring my sketch book, and we were blessed with stunning...
by Clare Bowen | Sep 22, 2018 | Pink, Purple, San Giorgio Maggiore, Sunrise, Venice
The first in a series of 3 paintings I did of sunrise one after the other.This stage is when the light is low and the colours rich. A small quick sketch to capture the moment. Then I changed to a bigger board:The sun just peeping over the horizon, with very light...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 29, 2018 | England, Flowers, Jug, Oil Painting, Peonies, Pink, Still Life
Peonies by Mary Oliver “This morning the green fists of the peoniesare getting readyto break my heartas the sun rises,as the sun strokes them with his old,buttery fingersand they open -pools of lace,white and pink – and all day the black ants climb...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 21, 2018 | Artist Life, Flowers, Peonies, Pink, Still Life, Studio
This is a whopper for me – two foot by two foot! I enjoyed it and surprised myself that I could do it and it turned out nicely :-)I did start on a a 11×14″ but it still felt crampt so I routelled around in my cupboard and found this canvas, I...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 16, 2018 | Artist Life, Daisies, England, Flowers, Oil Painting, Open Studios, Pink, Still Life, Surrey
I am enjoying these still life paintings as you can experiment so much with colour & harmonies, composition, subject…I tried with no hard line background this time, bigger in size and reflected vase on the table.I can’t write so much today as just...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 3, 2018 | Artist Life, England, exhibition, Flowers, Oil Painting, Open Studios, Peonies, Pink, Still Life
Painted with haste and gusto! The background a blue black to set of the light pink flowers peonies which are so fun to paint, quite addictive! (There will be more 🙂 I think they are a good subject because of the globe shape so you get great light and dark on...
by Clare Bowen | May 23, 2018 | Flowers, Jug, Pink, Purple, Still Life
I have wanted to paint peonies for a while, last year they felt too scary to tackle! So I decided to go for it! I painted outside in natural light, there was no sunshine but it didn’t matter. I placed a purple piece of paper under the flowers and decided the...
by Clare Bowen | Aug 19, 2017 | Landscape, Pink, Plant, Spain
This was in Finestrat it’s the closest village to where we are staying with my Aunt. The doorway with this plant, was a real gem to find. Loved painting it, although I was unsure to begin with as the light wasn’t on it, so it was quite flat. But...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 17, 2016 | Flower, Flowers, Orange, Pink, Rose, Square
A beautiful rose, I don’t know the name of, I like the full rounded head and two tone petal colours. Really difficult to paint! There is a tendency to get lost in the layers of complex petals – simplifying! But still getting the essence of it.The photo has...
by Clare Bowen | May 27, 2016 | Flower, Pink, Square, Surrey
A sunny morning, I was going to find somewhere away from the house to paint but as I was going through the back door this flower stopped me. Beautifully sunlight from behind, I wanted to capture the vibrant yet delicate petals. One thing I’ve learnt...
by Clare Bowen | May 16, 2016 | 5x7", Flower, Pink, Plant, Rose
I am buzzing from an amazing painting weekend! It was at the Old Bank Studios in Harwich, a great set up for painting courses (lovely lunches too!)Haidee-Jo Summers ran the workshop, she is a wonderful plein air painter, I feel very inspired and full of new...
by Clare Bowen | Apr 23, 2016 | Flower, Flowers, Pink, Plant, Square
I used a deep dusty pink ground base colour (see pic below) which allowed me to see the white petals of the magnolia.Broad strokes were used with not too much fussy detail. The tonal differences were very small, I did light the flowers from the side to create more...
by Clare Bowen | Apr 22, 2016 | Flower, Pink, Plant, Square
A tricky subject! Painting the flowers so they are defined but not overworked. Simplyfing the pink tones and shapes otherwise its confusing to the eye. I did paint in a blue background thinking it’s like the sky, but it looked dreadful! It’s now...
by Clare Bowen | Apr 6, 2016 | Pink, Purple, Still Life, Vegetable
This is the second time I have painted an aubergine, the first was back in January. I thought it would be a good subject for my students to try as it is very dark in tone but richly coloured and very shiny as well. I enjoyed painting it I hope they will too...
