Byegone Days

Todays townscape watercolour painting is based on a London street scene, but could be any cityscape of the time. If you click the picture, a larger image appears.

A nostalgic townscape

Thank you very much to the artists who visit my blog and for leaving encouraging comments. I do appreciate it very much.
I am afraid my skills of writing interesting articles is very limited, and therefore I must apologise for being rather boring and just showing my paintings. Todays watercolour is of a typical nostalgic townscape. The scene is based on the old open top trams of Bradford , but I suppose it could be anywere in Britain of the time.
Thank you again.

Ella`s mum

A painting of Ella, our grandaughter is shown lower down the page. This is her mum Jessica (the eldest; as affectionally known in the family).
Next will be the turn of the youngest Kim, when I`ve painted her.

Window Shopping

This painting is more in keeping with my usual style of watercolours. I like there to be a story in a painting or try and create one by situation. This chap looks like his shopping trip is going to cost him more than he has in his pocket!
Less is more I find and I try to apply this in my work. I hope you find this of interest.

Grandaughter Ella

This is my darling grandaughter ella. She asked for a portrait of herself this week and when she saw it said "its very nice grandad but I dont think my friends will recognise me from it". How polite can a child be. I have to say the colours are quite garish on the pc compared to the original. However I am quite pleased with it.
She is so special to us.

Music in St Marks Sqr

Its about time I put a watercolours on my blog. I`ve been neglecting them somewhat. Finding new material is my biggest stress each day and I end up searching for insperation to ease the addiction of painting. Inevitably I return to Venice scenes which I enjoy painting, but I wonder if my twee painting is not stretching my boundaries enough. Perhaps I should travel more and experience the world. To many things to do and not enough time in which to do it in.

The Look

I think its time to put away the oil paintings and concentrate on some watercolours for my next exhibition. Its always a busy time preparing , but I feel deflated at the moment!!!
Perhaps the winter months have taken there toll. I need to be lifted.

Well today I have oil painted an image I have done previously in watercolour and initially I am quite pleased with it.
I am painting rather a lot of oils lately and I am doing my old thing of worrying that if I leave my watercolours more than a few days I will "loose it". Its funny really but I think that has prevented me venturing into the oil world in the past.
well, I am enjoying oils no end and thats what I need at present.
I hope you find it interesting.

One for the New Year

This painting is of a little square in Corfu. My wife and I were there three years ago. I was quite impressed with the place all in all. I like this sort of scene were there is something going on and has a focal point as well. Again this is on pre prepared board and painted with quick drying oils.
I hope you like it.

Venice

This oil painting I have done from a photo during a visit last autumn. I have used muted limited palette again, but these colours appear quite bright on this reproduction. I`m not sure if it is really showing the mood has it was. I quite like these quick drying oils, it suites my immediate approach, I suppose!
I hope you find it interesting.

Please have a look at my website http://www.trevorlingard.co.uk/

That Look

I like peroid garments and especially ladies hats. For me they provide a hiding place for expression. This painting I hope is creating a sence of intrigue. What is this lady thinking? I wonder.

An Edwardian Townscape

Today my painting is a scene of Manchester. I chose an old photograph as reference to see the architecture that existed at the time and then I adopt my own palette and composition. I move buildings about to suite and put in things to create a bit of interest. In the main a mood rather than topographical or architectural accuracy is my intension. This is what I also like to paint and for some reason this period comes into my townscapes regulary.
I hope you enjoy this painting.


Please view more paintings at http://www.trevorlingard.co.uk/

Coffee in Paris

What these two young women are talking about can only leave us wondering. This is a subject which appeals to me. Figures, nostalgia and a story to tell.
I hope you like this recent watercolour.



See more paintings at http://www.trevorlingard.co.uk/

A bit of nostalgia

I feel the need to put in a picture showing my approach to movement and people which is what I like to paint. This watercolour was painted on Khadi paper, an Indian paper I occasional have used. It is quite absorbant and the texture is very rough. Worth trying!!!
I hope you like the painting.

Staged watercolour

Entitled; First encounter, this watercolour I thoroughly enjoyed painting and is shown in build up stages.
My insperation came from watching a television period drama. I love the fashion of that time.
I captured the moment with a digital camera from the screen, printed an image and converted it to black and white so my palette was not influenced. I have modified the scene and cropped figures that were to the right, leaving an intruiging composition I feel.
I have tried to create the darkests darks against the lightest light at positions off centre vertically and horizontally. I try to lay very wet and bold washes, allowing the paint to run into each other and keeping in mind were the light direction is.

My tone values are paramount and I leave the white of the paper were appropiate without the use of masking aids. Lots of dry brush marks help to create texture against the wet in wet washes. This painting has to be done quickly, but with an element of loose control to maintain the fresh appearance.

The direction of light is from the left, although I am aware of light bouncing from other directions too. In terms of scale and proportion the composition is not accurate. I am more interested in creating a mood and atmoshere rather than detail.
I wonder what the young lady is thinking! The couple on the next table create interest and counterchange I feel.

I do hope you have enjoyed seeing my approach to the kind of subject which inspires me.
Thank you for taking your time reading my blog and I hope you will visit me again.

Materials; Arches Aquarel 140 lb rough (half imperial), 14 kolinsky sable brush, W+N Artists watercolour.

Biblioteca Marciana (Piazzeta San Marco)

This composition I thoroughly enjoyed doing.
Taken from a photo on one of my recent trips to Venice. Of course I have used artistic licsence and introduced some period garments.
It took about 60 minutes to complete, using Arches Arquarel 140lb rough textured paper and my favourite size 14 kolinsky sable pointed round brush.
I hope you enjoy the little snippet of this excercise.








Please view my website http://www.trevorlingard.co.uk/