One of the wonderful things about painting is that you can decide what you want your painting to look like. You have complete control and a license to create your own world if you want to. In this painting, 'Sunset, the Forth Bridge', I've had to remain reasonably true to life - the iconic Forth Bridge has such a characteristic shape that I could not hope to take liberties with it and have it recognised. However, anyone who knows this scene will realize that something is missing. In this case, it's two entire bridges! Because the Forth Rail Bridge (this one) no longer stands alone. Just behind it, in reality, is the Forth Road Bridge, a more modern suspended construction, and a third bridge is currently under construction behind that one. I didn't want to complicate this picture with any of this, so although the photograph I used for the painting included a lot of background clutter, here the single bridge stands alone and serene against the backdrop sunset. I really enjoyed adding the lights along the shore in the background too - I think they really add to the evening atmosphere as night approaches!
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It's been quite a layoff for me, for a variety of reasons, but I'm back to the painting now! I wasn't planning on another Vulcan painting, but I was commissioned to paint this one by a customer who had seen my previous painting 'Where She Belongs' but had contacted me just after it had sold. What I loved bout this commission was that it gave me another opportunity to place the aircraft in another 'proper' landscape - this time the English countryside of Yorkshire. This is a scene from quite a few years ago, and it was my customer's first encounter with the Vulcan. She was gliding with the Sutton Bank Gliding Club which flies from the top of the bank just to the left of the painting. In a break between flights she was sitting on the hilltop when a lone Vulcan flew past just below here level - a sight which has stuck with her for many years. I was asked to produce a painting evocative of that memory. I very much enjoyed painting this scene of the rolling countryside below Sutton Bank as it recedes to the indistinct horizon. It was a good challenge to paint that many trees and fields without labouring the point, but this is the strength of watercolour! I'm glad to say that the customer loves it, and that it does evoke the memory it was painted for. I liked it so much that I have created a limited edition print run, available here. |
AuthorA professional artist living and working in the beautiful north of Scotland. My work is realistic and quite traditional, though strongly interpretational in nature. My inspiration is the beauty of Nature, and the wonderful colours and moods she shows everywhere. Archives
April 2022
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