Entrance to beach cafe Kaap Noord, Texel

Ingang naar strandpaviljoen Kaap Noord, 

of Paal 33, Texel 

oil on canvas - 60 x 90 cm

painted on location - Sunday 7 March 2021

€ 825

Finding myself last weekend on the island Texel in the North of Holland, I was inspired to make this painting. Very cold but lots of sunlight and will it took sometime but finally found this quaint scene to put on the canvas.  Something about the tonal quality of this scene actually did the trick that got my creative juices flowing. As the sky for me was pretty well overcast, the sandy colors dominate and my palette stayed limited to earthy tones. Also was lucky to have the sunlight behind me lighting up the whole foreground  and once in a while right up to the horizon line. 

 

Children playground at beach cafe Zuid

 

Kinderspeelplaats bij strandpaviljoen Zuid,

oil on canvas - 15 x 30 cm

painted on location -  Tues. 2 March 2021

€ 235

Still winter here in The Lowlands, but was happy to make this very summery scene, thanks to the intensive sunlight we had on this day. Open only for take out as they are still preparing to open for the new season, this beach cafe is a favorite for the little ones. There ware also other play stations, however I didn't want to crowd the scene too much.

South Beach, The Hague #4 & #5

 

Children on the beach playing with pet dog 

oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm

painted on location - Sat 27 Feb 2021

€ 195 

One of the most popular places for children to be, on the beach! And of course the family pet dog loves to be their with them. The sky was clearing, however I loved the tones on the dunes and sand this overcast sky made, thus that was the theme I brought over. To give the viewer a focus point, the playful  scene was added.

Windy and sunny winter beach scene

oil on board - 30 x 40 cm

painted on location - Sat 27 Feb 2021

€ 475 

This painting was made right after I finished the above piece. As you see the sky opened up and light flooded in, creating a whole different scenario. You might also notice the high tide, resulting in a narrower beach. Added in the 3 seagulls that where dancing to the melody of the southwest wind. 

South Beach, The Hague #3 - 2021

 Zuiderstrand, Den Haag #3 - 2021

oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm

painted on location - Thurs. 25 Feb 2021

€ 825

Early morning view of this beautiful piece of Holland. Winter skies are dramatic and always a challenge to paint. As usual, with these wide panoramic views I purposefully don't paint in too many people. The few that I do add are usually far off, which helps me bring over a since of depth.  One of the reasons that I like to make these paintings is to offer to the eventual owner of these paintings a sense of space and openness. In a small country as Netherlands this can be, and usually is,  much appreciated.  

Entrance to beach #10, Westduinpark

Strandslag 10, Westduinpark, DH

oil on canvas - 30 x 120 cm

painted on location - Sat 20 Feb 2021

€ 825.

Back at a subject I was painting when I first got started with this project, and that is beach entrances, This time I'm going to be working on larger horizontal formats. Duin grass is still very dry, officially we are still in winter season even though it felt like a spring day. Enjoyed making this rather hazy atmospheric scene with characteristic subdued colors. 

 

Fun on the Snow # 4

 

Plezier in de sneeuw # 4

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm 

painted on location - Thursday 11 Feb 2021

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This one might as will be titled fun on the ice, but that's okay. I actually headed out to make another painting with kids tobogganing, but saw this scene and thought, this will be today's painting, and so I sit up and went to work. I like it that many of the kids just come up to me and ask the most sweet innocent questions, like, what are you painting Mr. artist?  Or they are looking and trying to find themselves on the painting.   Anyway, the light was fantastic  and I myself was in the shade, which makes it possible for me to select the proper color range. 

  

Fun on the Snow # 3

 

Plezier in de sneeuw # 3

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm

painted on location - Wednesday 10 Feb. 2021

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Who say's Nederland is flat? Why just have a look at this series, okay they are not mountains, but we got our share of hills, you must admit. And where there is a snow covered hill you can be assured you will have a crowd of kids enjoying themselves.  Just want to point out that these works are made on location, swiftly and as skillfully as I can manage. Thus the style or application of paint shows this in an innocent and truthful manner. I choose purposefully to not give too much attention to the tree line, on the top of the hill, rather focusing on the action on  the slope. Kids falling and sliding down, but that's fun,  the laughter was loud and clear!  Of course that kind of action is not for everyone, so hey why not build a snowman!

Fun on the Snow # 2

 

Plezier in de sneeuw # 2

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm

painted on location - Tuesday 9 Feb. 2021

€ 625

Back in The Hague, the weatherman was gifting us all with freezing temperatures. You might ask, a gift what the hell is he talking about? well here in The Lowlands, believe it or not, snow is always welcome! you see we get so little of it, sometimes it takes a few years before it comes back.... Thus,  more fun in the snow for everyone, but especially for the little ones! Snowboarding, tobogganing, slipping and sliding, whatever it takes to get you down the slope! I enjoyed very much capturing the sense of movement these children were displaying.

Fun on the Snow # 1

Plezier in de sneeuw # 1

oil on canvas - 50 x 60 cm

painted on location - Sunday 7 Feb 2021

€ 625

Yes indeed fun on the snow, for many, many kids in these days here in The Lowlands! I was visiting with my partner Wilma in Gelderland, close to the German boarder. Man did we get a dumping of that fluffy white stuff. Of course I was definitely prepared to tackle the situation, as the weatherman was getting us all excited about the coming winter storm. And what a storm it was! Cold, B-r-r-r-r-rrrr. he's a picture to proof it.

Girl with red coat and her dog

 

Meisje met rode jas en haar hond,

oil on board - 30 x 40 cm (12 x 16 ")

painted on location - Thurs 4 Feb 2021

€ 475

Always fine for me to paint this view of The Hague's beach. I'm up a little high from the ground level, on the South wall of the entrance to Schevenings  harbor. Nice play of light going on here. The Sun coming and going with the movement of the clouds. Still some pretty wild wave activity shown, as we has tempestuous weather prior to this day.

Winter fun, Schevening beach

 

Winterpret, strand van Scheveningen,

oil n canvas - 30 x 150 cm

painted n location - Fri 29 Jan. 2021

€ 825

Always fun for me to set up on this stretch of beach! I'm not too often their, mainly to avoid the large crowds, however winter season is never really that busy, thus quite manageable.  Further developing this new theme of kite surfers I had more than enough models to work from. The sky was dramatic, the wind was strong and the waves were rolling endlessly with a loud roar!   The elements where challenging to be making a painting on location, but hey, I do have some experience, wouldn't you agree? 

Opening up of the sky.

de hemel gaat open,

oil on canvas - 30 x 40 cm

painted on location - Jan 21 2021

€ 475

It is not too often that one see's a rainbow at the North Sea, but they occur regularly enough. Determined to make a painting at the beach I headed out. Fortunately the sky was clearing up and by the time i got set up I was afforded this spectacular view.  From somewhere in between Kijkduin and the Zandmotor, this painting was made. If you look closely you will see the enormous ferris wheel at the peer of Schevening 

We are Sailing 1 & 2

 

"I am sailing, We are sailing  ......

oil on canvas - !8 x 24 cm

painted on location - Sat 01 Jan 2021

€235

(Continued from the title)  ...... From the darkness, to the light." 

"I am sailing, We are sailing " ...... 

oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm 

painted on location - Sat 01 Jan 2021

€235

(Continued from the title)  ...... From the darkness, to the light." 

Strange but that song kept playing in my head whilst I was make these two quick oil sketches. For me no better way to start the year than to be doing my thing at my favorite beach. While most people were stripping off their warm clothing and taking the tradition dip in the frigidly cold clashing waves, il pittore was just a few meters away capturing the beauty of the opening sky, with the swift movement of the cloud formations.  Luckily the rain had just passed by, thus my timing was good, sit myself up and knocked off these two medium sized paintings simultaneously.  

Autumn skies, Kite surfers and The North Sea

Herfstluch en de Noordzee,

oil on canvas - 50 x 100 cm

painted on location - Fri 6 Nov. 2020

€ 850

Typical of the beach's here at the North Sea, very wide with ever increasing dunes, as this area was pumped up a few years ago with trillions of tons of sand. Taken from the bottom of the Sea and poured on the coastline. The river of water shown on this painting continues for approximately a mile, where if you look at the postings below, you will see the situation. Intent on painting kite surfers I headed out, but little did I know that the wind was too weak for the practice of that sport. Funny with such a sky you would think otherwise! Anyway those clouds were amazing, and that became the source of inspiration for this painting.

                          

                 

Catching the wind #2

oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm

painted on location - Sun 01 Nov. 2020

€ 575 

The 2nd work made in this series. Weather was a bit milder than on the 1st painting (below), thus the action on the water was a bit more tamed. This is an excellent area for both beginners and seasoned surfers. Plenty of space, thus no one is getting tangled up in another's kite line. This sport is very exhilarating, even just watching these guys gets ones adrenaline flowing, can imagine what it must be like to be actually doing it! 

Catching the wind #1

oil on canvas - 40 x 50 cm

painted on location -  30 Oct. 2020

Private Collection

Was asked to make this painting for a good customer who wanted to surprise her brother with it as a birthday present. This was the first time I visited the Zandmotor to make a painting. I have painted it years ago, but then from a distance (Kijkdiun).  Wow, my mind was blown away, just watching those dudes (and gals) surfing on their boards and every once in a while one of them gets airborne, just like you see the surfer who is just above the horizon line, 4th from the left. Will be making a series dedicated to kite surfers, so stay tuned.

 

Autumn Gold finds The Hofvijver,

Herfstgoud vindt de Hofvijver (#18 in de series)

oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm

painted on location in several sittings - Sept/October 2020

€ 1250

Those two swans will be together forever, isn't that a beautiful reality, something worth thinking about. Funny how almost everything I painted in this composition comes in pairs. Just have a good look. Two big and two small open spaces and two dark clouds in the sky. Two groups of trees being reflected in the water. Two flags and two seagulls fluttering up on high in the sky. Two major areas of buildings, the Binnenhof to the left of that floating island and to the right, apartments and stores which form part of the historical center of this city. Two church towers, the one in the Binnenhof and that of the Grote Kerk, which oddly enough, both don't function as churches anymore. Oh well, I didn't intentionally do this, just noticed it a few moments ago while thinking of something to say about this painting. Obviously I took the liberty to add colors that in reality don't appear in such a scene, and for better of for worse that's the way it's going to be!

The Hofvijver on a warm summers morning, The Hague

 

De Hofvijver op een warme zomersochtend (#17 in de series),

oil on canvas - 50 x 150 cm (20"x 59")

painted on location on several occasions - June - Sept 2020

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As you can see I have been further developing this series. It is always a pleasure to be on location at his spot. The security staff at the Museum (The Hague Historical Museum) just across the street from where I sit up usually welcomes me with a warm cup of coffee, and because I have a Museum Card, I have always access to the toilet. This is very handy for us outdoor plein air painters. The scene depicted in this painting is packed with detail, take your time and have a close look, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Schevening Beach / Boulevard Canvas Print , in 3 sizes

 

Schevening strand en boulevard (canvas print)

inkt op doek - 15 x 105 cm (kleine), 30 x 200 cm (medium -XL),  40 x 270 cm (grote - XXXL)

painted on location - July 2015 in 17 sessions.

€ 115 small version - edition of 50 prints
€ 375 medium version - edition of 49 prints
€ 545 large version - edition of 39 prints


This canvas print of a painting i made in the summer of 2015 is back by popular demand. This time I decided to make it available in a smaller  and an extra large size. To keep them somewhat exclusive they are available in a limited edition, signed and numbered on the back of each print.
As this format is difficult to see, especially the details, here below 3 close ups, for your viewing pleasure.

The Sun must settle

de zon moet onder gaan
oil on canvas - 50 x 100 cm
painted on location - Thurs 20 Aug 2020

€ 625

 Ir's amazing what one actually sees when one takes the time to really observe! Two swimmers  enjoying the by now warm temperature of the North Sea.  The colors in the sky, the reflections on the water, and the hovering clouds. Summer is coming to an end, this shows up in my paintings by the everpresent spectacular cloud formations. Which was indeed my inspiration for creating this painting. Everything changes so fast at this time of the evening, there really is no time to waste.

Parents and their children at the beach #5

Ouders en hun kinren op het strand #5
oil on linnen - 50 x 175 cm
painted on location - Tues 11 Aug 2020

€ 1250.

The largest of this series was made on a really hot summers day, was off to an early start, thus most of the work was done, with comfortable temperature. I had to make use of the 3M parasol which I have ready for me at the strandpavilijoen De Staat, otherwise I would have melted in the heat! There is alot going on in this work, but not too much. I left out at least 70% of the crowds sunbathing or otherwise enjoying the fresh Sea water that afternoon. It was soo hot, i also felt compelled to take a dip in the Sea on a few occasions, with my shirt and shorts on.

Alberto Valentini Expo Aug-Sept 2020 Studio Flex

I am currently having an exhibition of my work at this gallery in the Vogelwijk, in The Hague

Mezenlaan 48E, 2566 ZJ.

Parent and thier children at the beach #4

Ouders en hun kindren op het strand #4
oil on canvas - 18 x 120 cm
painted on location - Thurs 6 Aug 2020

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Seeing these paintings being created I having decided to make this into a series. I will most likely make a few more before this season is over. A safe place for parents to play with or let their kids find like minded kids in which to have a fun time at the beach. No life threatening under currents to worry about, which at this beach is really a concern! Unfortuneately the Life Rescue Birgade (reddingsbrigade) has their work cut out for them in these days. Below 2 close ups.

Parents and children at the beach #3

Ouders en kindren op het strand #3
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - Tues 4 Aug 2020

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This subject seems to be developing into a series. I love the fun aspect of this subject. Kids having the time of their lifes. They feel safe, Mom or Dad is always nearby, and they make friendss instantly. Often they come and ask what am I doing. Or one of the parents or gaurdians bring a child nearby to have a look and explain what I am doing. Furthermore in thesse troubling times I feel this is an image that can bring delight and happiness intoyour household

Mates kicking the ball on the beach

Vrienden schoppen de bal op het strand

oil on MDF - 17 x  64cm

painted on location -  Thurss 30 July 2020

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This is a classic view which I paint often. However every painting tellss a different story. Here it was early evening, as you can see space calor is to be found at this location. I was inspired to paint in those friends kicking a soccer ball, I liked the uniformity of their attire, and will it was jusst the right spice to give this view that special flavour.

Catamaran Club housse, The Hague, NL

HKZV, Zuiderstrand, DH

oil on canvas - 40 x 40 cm

painted on location - Tues 28 July 2020

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On location this morning, extremely windy however lovely cloud formations. It took me a few wak arounds to make a decision as to find a subject matter worthy of sitting up my painting gear.  I have alayss liked this composition for a painting at my favorite beach, and as I was protected from the strong wind, will my mind wass made up, and this painting is the result.

Zuiderstrand commision painting

 Study for Zuiderstrand commision painting

oil on canvas - 20 x 60 cm
painted on location - Tues 07 July 2020

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As this was the first time I make a painting of this view I decided a study would be a good idea. Thus a week before I made that larger painting below I made this smaller study to familiarise myself with this view. This helps me in making decisions about the final composition

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View of Kijkduin and Zandmotor commision.

oil on canvas - 50 x 150 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 21 July 2020

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Here is the final version of this commision scene. It is what the customer wanted, thick Dutch clouds sweeping across the sky, the dunes, a summery feeling. I had to wait for the right conditions, was lucky for me that this took place just a couple of days ago. Again here in this sceen I have omitted a very large new construction area, which is what the customer desired, and I must admit I would have left that elephant of a building which would have appeared just above the white roof of the 1st beach pavilion on the left side  

Hommage on South Beach, The Hague #3

Oude aan Zuiderstrand #3
oil on linen - 30 x 170 cm
painted on location - 12 July 2020

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This is the 3rd of the Oude to South Beach here in The Hague. This view is painted in the afternoon as then the lighting is just right for this view. Nice Dutch clouds rolling on by, alaways a treat to paint. The new buildings going up in Schevening are starting to block the view of that monumental landmark red lighthouse. You don't see that building as I put to use my artistic freedom and just not painted it in!  again for your viewing pleasure to close ups.

Parents and their children at the beach #2

Ouders en hun kindren op het strand #2
oil on canvas - 30 x 170 cm
painted on location - Wed 24 June 2020

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On a tropical hot day, very rare here in Holland, i was crazy enough to go make this painting on location. However I enjoyed all the people I ended up using as models to creat this scene. For children, having the time of their lives. Playing in that very shallow water at the beach.

Two details f9r better viewing.

Hommage to South Beach, The Hague

Oude aan Zuiderstrand, Den Haag #1
oil on canvas - 30 x 170 cm
painted on location - 19 June 2020

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Start of a lovely day, gonig to be a little more busy than what you see in this painting, but not to worry, as this beach is so wide one never feels claustrophobic. As a matter of fact, good thing I adapted using this format fr that works best with these beaches.  Here below 2 details.