by Clare Bowen | Oct 22, 2017 | Blue, San Giorgio Venice, Seascape, Sunrise, Venice
This was the second painting I did of this sunrise and the final ‘en plein air’ painting in Venice.I mapped out the building shape and high horizon line before the sun came up. The portrait format helps to showcase the lovely light on the water. I...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 21, 2017 | Boats, Buildings, San Giorgio Venice, Seascape, Sunrise, Venice
I got there before the sunrise so I could mix some initial colours and draw out the basic shapes. I knew it would be quick and I wanted to capture the light and colours of the moment. At the same time I drew out a second board which I will post tomorrow.When the sun...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 21, 2017 | Boats, Buildings, Gondolas, San Giorgio Venice, Seascape, Venice
I painted with Sally Balick another artist, who helped firstly because it was such a busy spot and to be with another person helps, also to get ideas on how others tackle a tough subject.You don’t realise how much the boats move until you try and paint them. Up...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 20, 2017 | Buildings, Venice
A really tricky subject. We got there early morning to paint in the fog, but it was so dense to start with we couldn’t see it to paint and then it quickly cleared and no mist left just building!I kept it a sketchy and loose not getting caught up with detail, the...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 20, 2017 | Harmonious Colours, Venice
There are such great silhouette shapes for sky lines in Venice. Added to which beautiful light and colour = I could keep painting this amazing city!The historic wooden posts in the water helps break up the strong horizon line and make the composition more...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 19, 2017 | Boats, Gondolas, Grand Canal, Nocturne, Venice
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...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 19, 2017 | Buildings, Cityscape, Easel, Mist, Venice
I wasn’t sure how I would tackle the mist but once I had found this great spot and mixed my colours, I really enjoyed it. Someone said to me to put colour notes down early on in a painting. Which I have been doing recently, especially in such a tonal...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 18, 2017 | Boats, Gondolas, Grand Canal, Sky, Sunset, Venice
I stood in the Vaperetto water bus stop to paint this. It was a great view looking down the grand canal and the georgous light after the sun had set.It was very fleeting so I worked quickly and keeping it loose. I mixed the peachy pink colours with Naples yellow deep,...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 18, 2017 | Boats, Easel, Gondolas, Grand Canal, Sunset, Venice
I was going to get on the water bus and go to a St Marks Square for the sunset. But seeing the sparkle on the water and the colours I had to stop and paint.A lot of places I paint on location I am on show, this one was odd as people were in a waiting room and I was...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 17, 2017 | Buildings, Grand Canal, Maria Della Salute, Venice
Monet painted this scene along with Ken Howard. You can see why with water, lovely shapes and light!When I started it was still hazy with the mist. But an hour into it and the sun was shining and intense, it totally changed the scene. I was floundering trying to paint...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 17, 2017 | Buildings, Mist, San Giorgio Venice, Sunrise, Venice
I couldn’t post while in Venice, I tried but had difficulties with Nick (my husbands) laptop, and I was out painting so much time was limited. I did write notes for each painting so I wouldn’t forget. I will post two a day for the next 5-6 days :-)First...
by Clare Bowen | Oct 7, 2017 | Artist Life, Competition, ROI, Venice
There are certain land marks in an artist career and one of them for me is getting into the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) exhibition (& later be a member of their Society).The ROI was founded in 1882 and is the only British Art Society that promotes...
