Catamaran Club House, Kijkduin, Holland. # 2

oil on canvas, 38 x 46 cm ( 15 x 18 in.)
Painted on location,
Sun. 29 April 07, 8.35 am - 12. 45 pm
SOLD



Another fantastic day here in Holland. This morning I went back to the same place as last Sunday, my intention being to make a series of 12 paintings from this one location. I'll be setting up from other vantage points, thus the compositions will vary. Today I got a little closer to the club house, and added more detail, including, three visible persons: one making some adjustments to one of the boats, the other on the terrace, and a distant figure walking on the beach with her pet dog. The texture on this canvas is interesting. I've painted over an earlier painting, made in 2003. The middle surface is covered in beach sand, which I just incorporated into the texture.


here I am in action with my lovely daughter Selena.

Bye for now, and thanks to those of you who share this blogspot with others.



Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

Progressive Nude Series # 8

Oil on canvas,
150 x 120 cm - ( 59 x 47 in.)
(a large painting)

price - 400 euro ( $ 550 US)


As most of you know, Friday is my day in the studio, painting directly from the nude model. Today we worked from a top model, a young contemporary dancer from Germany, Ljdea. She managed to come up with and sustain some great poses, a true source of inspiration. Since it appears we are in the middle of summer, temperatures here in Holland are soaring, by the day, (sorry Al Gore, re Global Warming, I personally find this a life envigorating experience, and am not at all worried), I decided to use these happy, cool and warm color combinations. Your comments are appreciated.

Bye for now,

Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

The lone sailor

oil on canvas,
15 x 10 cm ( 6 x 4 in.)



This little, yet highly suggestive seascape, was created in my studio this afternoon, far away from the sea in the physical, but not in a metaphysical sense. I actually painted over a painting that was made two years ago. We are having hot hazy days here in Holland, maybe that is what brought me to creating this scene. Even though it is barely visible the water has depth and distance, the horizon line is convincingly far off. Not a perfect situation for sailing, but perhaps this sailor knows that's just what he wants. A little peace and tranquility.


Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

Keukenhof, Holland (an intimate corner)

Keukenhof, Holland (an intimate corner)
oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm, ( 12 x 16 in.)

painted on location, Wed. 25 April

SOLD


Hello Everyone,

Well let me tell you, it wasn't difficult to find a location to paint, in the world's most beautiful spring garden, the only problem was making a decision. It was so crowded, I had to take into consideration, not blocking the footpaths. Found this quaint little body of running water, featuring varied levels, and an interesting combination of colors to paint. The trickling sound from the tiny waterfalls was indeed, very soothing, on a hot, sunny day.

Alberto, il pittore

Evening Glow, Kijkduin, North Sea

20 x 40 cm ( 8" x 16" )
oil on canvas
painted on location, (like always), mon. 23 April, 6:30 - 7:45pm



Hello Everyone,

Usually I get the painting done first thing in the morning, not today, as I had to pick up my sister - in - law, at the airport and have a family day.
After dinner we went out to the beach, my daughter, Selena also joined us. I featured them in today's work. They assembled a fine collection
of sea shells. This work was done in a short time, the light situation changing by the minute. I quickly painted in the sky and sea, sticking with
that warm soft glow from the descending sun. That is what inspired me to make this work, in the first place. The horizon line is actually perfectly level, it appears in a sloping position, because the photograph was made by an amateur, me.



Enjoy the work. And don't be shy to share it with friends or family.

Ciao,

Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

Purchasing instructions found under links, just to the right on this page.

Catamaran Club House, Kijkduin, Holland. # 1

oil on canvas, 35 x 65 cm ( 14 x 25.5 in.)
Painted on location,
Sun. 22 April 07, 8.45 am - 12. 45 pm

SOLD

Last week, Sunday morning, I painted a view of the dunes with the tops of these masts showing and the Dutch flag. Today I decided to tackle this somewhat complicated scene, with a whole row of stationed catamarans. I was making good progress with this painting, about 3/4 way through, somehow the canvas was tossed face down on the ground. Upon picking it up, I discovered that almost 1/3 of the surface was covered in sand! I painstakingnly, removed the sand as best I could, then carried on painting until it was completed.

By the end of the painting, I was just placing in people walking on the beach, when I realized, something was wrong with the composition. With almost everything happening on the left side of the painting, some drastic measure was needed to compensate. To my amazement, one of the catamarans that was at the beginning of the row, near the clubhouse, was transported to the waters edge, where it was stationed for about 15 minutes. Just what I needed to balance out this composition. It was a beautiful morning, still comfortably fresh, with nice cool breezes coming off the North Sea.

Enjoy the work. And don't be shy to share it with friends or family.

Ciao,

Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

Model in lilac And Model and painter in studio

18 x 24 cm (7 x 9.5 in.)
oil on canvas
SOLD


18 x 24 cm (7 x 9.5 in.)
oil on canvas
SOLD



As some of you know by now, Fridays is my day in the studio. Today we had the model, Koosje, a dancer by profession. She carries herself will, always a pleasure to work with her. I've been painting life from models ever since I decided to learn to paint. As a matter of fact, it was a cold winters day, in Toronto, Canada, back in November 1979, that I first stepped into a life drawing/painting class.
In the works presented today, the painter is actually being reflected in a mirror, set behind the model on an angle. I find this ads an interesting element to the composition. Besides showing you what is going on, it also creates a sense of depth. I've priced these to sell, I want to get the ball rolling!


Until the next painting.


Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

Antique and Boeken Maarkt, Early morning, The Hague

46 x 55 cm ( 18 x 21.5 ins.)
oil on canvas   -  NO LONGER EXISTS

A good size canvas, not at all small, with the proper framing, will add a elegant taste of Holland in your surroundings. I especially had fun with the roofs of the buildings in this painting. Take a close look at that Royal Dutch Crest, (with the two lions holding up a Shield). This building has something to do with the Ministry of Defense, I believe. I also like the movement in the few people that I have painted, check out the couple, she with red pants he with white pants, walking towards the viewer, she has a nice flow in her gesture. Someone stationed the bicycle right in front of me, just long enough for me to paint it in. As everyone knows, Holland is one of the only countries that has more bikes than cars.


Your comments are always welcome.


Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

Walking through the dunes, Westduinpark, The Hague

oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm ( 12 x16 in.)

SOLD



This is a good one, folks. Located just above the beach pavilion, De Kwartel. I first made a small 10 x 15 cm seascape, which was ok, but not worthy of posting just yet, will have to work on it. The sky was so typically 'Hollands' (Dutch for Holland), that I couldn't resist painting this scene. I always carry some extra canvases with me, one never knows when inspiration calls.
The dunes offer great vistas of the North Sea. However, as is evident in this work, depending on the light situation, vistas of the dunes, (which by the way happens to be one of Holland's most valued Natural Resources), are in themselves spectacular.

Let me tell you how I came to this title. You might ask, I don't see anyone walking, why give it that title? Answer. I was just finished, clearing my palette, packing up to go, when a couple stopped and struck up a conversation. They liked the work quite a lot, the man asked the price, told him, then he offered to buy, on one condition. That I paint him and his wife on the path. My response, no. Not on this one. When a work of art is at a good point, one must stop. Most painters have problems with this. They carry on until they over paint the subject at hand, the wonder and magic of the work being lost forever! Thus upon reflecting on this work, I'm going to place them on the path, only they are standing where you, the observer is, thus with your imagination you can step right into this scene. Therefore everyone looking at this work becomes the person 'walking through the dunes'.

Do enjoy this visual treat, and if you know anyone else who would, do forward them this blog address.

Speaking about forwarding my emails,
Let me give you an incentive. When a contact of yours agrees to join my mail list (this is important, otherwise you do not get an art mile), I will give you one, IL PITTORE ART MILES. Save up your art miles and I will give you a discount on a purchase of a painting. It works like this, I will keep a record of how many persons you have referred to and agree to join my mailing list, this will be posted on my blogspot, http:/ilpittor.blogspot.com . If and when you want to purchase an art work from me, you get a discount of the same art miles you have accumulated. Example, you have sent me the email addresses of 40 persons, who are agreeing to receive a daily, Wet painting from the Lowlands email, just like the one you are getting. You then are entitled to a 40 % DISCOUNT off the price for one or more of my paintings. I will explain this in greater detail on a future posting on my blog. Any questions for now, just email me.

Bye for now,

Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

Delft, Oost Einde, with view of Nieuwe Kerk tower

oil on canvas, 24 x 30 cm ( 9.5 x 12 in.)
This painting has been reworked. See tuesday 16 april


Here you have today's painting, a favorite street scene of mine in Delft. Take note that I positioned myself in the shade.
This was absolutely necessary with this unexpected heat wave we are presently experiencing here in Holland. For painting,
it is also better to not be in direct sunlight as it affects ones ability to make color choices.
I'm going to have to take a better picture of this as this one seems to have a hazy quality, which is not on the original artwork.

Best regards,
Alberto Valentini, "il pittore".
The Netherlands, The Hague.

Purchasing an Art Work

French Cows grazing in North Holland, Bergen NH, 2006
oil on canvas, 70 x 90 cm (27.5 x 35.5 in.)
SOLD

• When you are interested in a painting, contact me, or phone me, 06 24507473, or from outside The Netherlands: 0031624507473 .
• Prices are posted in Euros. For the price in your currency I have added a link to a Currency Converter (look under Links).
• For shipping and handling to overseas buyers, the costs will vary according to the size of the work.
• Payments can be made directly on line via Paypal (I will send you instructions), or via my bank account (giro) for local buyers. (Rabobank account number 35 76 02 978 van Alberto Valentini te Den Haag)
• I could imagine it is not always easy to make such a purchase simply by seeing a picture of a painting on a website. Most of the time the actual painting is far superior to the photograph. Sometimes the colors or not exactly true.
  Of course when you live nearby, you are always welcome to view the work in question at my studio in Den Haag.
  For customers from abroad, I will offer to send detailed photos of the art work, thus you get a better idea of what you are about to purchase.
• On receiving the art work, if for any reason you are not happy with the painting, I promise to reimburse you the full cost of the artwork (shipping and handling not included).

Kind regards,
Alberto Valentini, il pittore.

View of Delft from Wateringsweg

oil on canvas, 60 x 80 cm ( 23.5 x31.5 in.)
SOLD

Here you have today's painting. A lovely view of Delft as I've been seeing it for a long time, on my many approaches to that picturesque city.
It is certainly not the first time I've made a painting in Delft, but this is the first from this view, and it won't be the last! The reflections on the water, the coloration of the blooming trees, three church towers, one of which, the famous Old Jan, as they call it here in Holland, - it actually really does lean like that - what more can a painter ask for? Sunlight. That as you can see I had plenty of. I'm actually beginning to get some good color on my face, since I've started this one painting a day activity.

Enjoy this visual treat, and please let me know what you think.

Until tomorrow, by for now,

Alberto, il pittore.

In action

Hi Alberto,

I made these attached pictures of you this morning, near Delft. Feel free to do whatever you want with them, and keep up the nice work! I've posted them on my online photo portfolio, hoping you don't mind.

Ciao,
Eelke Dekker

Kati in two two minute poses

ink/pastel on brown/grey sketch block paper,
25 x 15 cm ( 10 x 6 in.)

price - 25 euro each/ 45 for both +s/h

Today is my day in the studio, working directly from the nude female model. Usually in a life/drawing session with a model we begin with very short poses then gradually build up to longer poses. I put a lot of emphasis on the movement of the gesture, economizing as much as possible with the ink brush, thus allowing for your eyes to fill in the left out lines. In Dutch they call this, "de kunst van weg laten", the art of leaving out.

You might say ... "two minutes ... he has balls to charge so much for such a small effort ..."My answer to that: Two minutes and 26 years of painting experience, that is how long it took to make!

Thanks for your time,

Alberto, il pittore

Surfer, Kijkduin

20 x 60 cm (8 x 23.5 in)
oil on canvas
painted on location, late afternoon

SOLD


Sorry about the crop of the photo. If I went too far into the painting the horizon line wouldn't be horizontal. And we can't have that can we? Not on a seascape. Otherwise it would make you dizzy. Look closely and you will see a surfer, with his board, waiting for the coming wave. He and his buddies, actually stopped and had a look at my painting before hitting the waves. Besides the billions of liters of water represented in this painting, only the surfer, a piece of a dike, breaking the waves on the left, and an incoming sail boat about to rest in Scheveningen harbour are contributing to the components that hold this piece together. Something else is also playing an important role. Look closely and you will see something way off in the distance, located on the horizon line to the extreme left, right at the edge. It is an oil platform. That my fellow art lovers, is what is called the vanishing point. That grounds this composition giving your eye a place to go , in this immense space. All that captured on a surface of a canvas relatively small, and who says paintings are boring?

Time to send this out, it is already 9.30pm (21.30hrs)
until tomorrow,

Alberto, il pittore

Recent work Daily mailing list

Hi,
My name is Erik and I am helping Alberto with his digital explorations on the Web. In this post I would like to invite you to join the 'Google Group' that we will be using for sending out new Paintings. The group is called 'Recent Work'.

You can join by entering your email address in the top right box above this page. After that:

• you will receive an email from Google requesting the confirmation of your request to become a member of the 'Recent Work' Group.
  Please press the link in that email to activate your membership.
  After that you will receive a confirmation email from Alberto or me, and your set up.
  
• You can unsubscribe at any time by sending an email to recentwork-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

Using the group is the most convenient for Alberto, and gives you the best control about your membership.

You address will not be shared with anyone.

Please send me an email if you got any questions.

A sweet home in Rijswijk, no. 3

wed 11 april 2007



A sweet home in Rijswijk, no. 3,
oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm ( 12 x 16 in.)
painted on location (as all my paintings are)

SOLD

Hello Art lovers,

Here is todays painting, and am I ever happy to have had the privilege to have made this...

This is my third painting of this subject, within the last week. If I do it again it will be early in the morning, thus capturing a different light situation.
I spiced this scene up with the young lady having a few words with her pet dog who seems to be saying, "just let me rest here for a moment.."
It's early spring, the trees are just starting to sprout, the flowering tree is in full bloom, just a postcard situation, wouldn't you agree?

Why am I painting this house anyway? Could it have something to do with the fact that just 5 months ago, my father had to vacate the house I grew up in as he is unable to manage in his old age alone. He now lives in a retirement home. Still having the feeling that something is missing, I
guess one gets used to such things. A home represents, stability, safety, a place to remove your shoes and chill out, family, love all that beautiful stuff.

Tomorrow it is back to the sea, beginning to miss it, thank God I literally have it on my door step. The light in this work has worked exceptionally well, enjoy.

Don't forget that you can publish and thus share your own comments on this and any other painting I have posted on my web blog spot

Bye for now,
Alberto, il pittore

Il Pittore at work

This 'action' photo was taken by a passing by young photographer. Under the easel you see the little kart that I use for cycling around my gear. Here is the painting I was working on.
Regards, Alberto

Neighbourhood Cafe, St Joris, The Hague

tuesday 10 april, early afternoon



Neighbourhood Cafe, St Joris, The Hague
oil on canvas board, 18 x 24 cm (7 x 9.5 inches)

price - 135 euro

Here you have todays painting. As my car was in service, had to go by bike to this location not far from were I live. This is the smallest work made thus far in the Wet Paintings ouvre. A familiar sight in Holland, a local pub/cafe, just about to open its doors to the public. This is not the first time I've painted this location. Have made already a larger 40 x 50 cm oil painting, which is now in a private collection in the US. Also six pastels on paper of various sizes.

A lot of detail to pack into such a little area, believe me I left out quite a bit, leaving room for the viewers eyes to fill in areas, such as the outdoor terrace, with all its chairs and tables. The for sale sign pasted on the top window was a bonus, helping me in creating harmony and balance in the color configuration.
Have a nice day,
I'll be meeting you again tomorrow.

Alberto, il pittore

Path leading to Sea, Early morning light

Path leading to Sea, Early morning light. Westduinpark
oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm (12 x16 inches)

SOLD


Hello Everyone,

Most people are taking it easy on Easter Monday morning, me... well I took a day off yesterday, that was more than enough. Besides this is not work for me. This is just being who I am, and when I'm not doing that, then I run into trouble, resulting in struggle and a general feeling of
uneasiness.

I've been walking down this path going to make my seaside paintings on many occasions in the past two years. Always I've had the thought this seen is worthy of painting, will today that thought finally materialized. I'm happy with the results. I'll most likely make more paintings of this scene, and then in a panoramic view. The play with color works very will in this painting. Naturally a bit of imagination fills in a lot of the spaces, but then again when it comes to paintings
I once read, artists tell lies to get to the truth. And the truth about this view of the dunes is that it has a beauty not easily recognizable.
That is were the artist in me comes in.

Bye for now, we meet again tomorrow...

Alberto, il pittore

Food for thought

The way to go is to maintain one's courage and keep plugging away.
Vincent van Gogh

Two sweet houses in Rijswijk

Two sweet homes in Rijswijk, (II)
oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm (12 x 16 inches)
Price - 185 euros

SOLD


If you look closely at this painting, you will see why I came up with the title.... Need a hint? Look at the blackbird on the grass, now take your eye slowly above her, see that little dot on the tree trunk?

Rijswijk is a small city, bordering on The Hague. It is very green, with many parks and trees. This time of year the fruit trees are in a lovely state of blossom, thus am inspired to paint this subject. For me the main character in this composition is the flowering tree to the left of the house. Had that not been there I most likely would not have made this or Thursday's painting.

bye for now,
Alberto, il pittore

A perfect day at Kijkduin

A perfect day at Kijkduin
oil on canvas, 30 x 60 cm ( 12 x 23.5 inches)
SOLD


Hello fellow art lovers,

Positioned next to the beach pavilion "De Kwartel", together this time with my friend Frits de Groot, I made this work. There was hardly any wind, a great day to take a stroll on the beach,
just as this young lady is doing with her pet dog, who seems to be enjoying getting his paws wet.

It is not easy to create a successful seascape, especially when there are few elements that go to make up the composition. Apart from the gently rolling waves breaking on the shoreline, leaving
a then layer of water reflecting the crystal clear blue sky, not much is happening. So in this work the pole on the bottom left corner is playing a major role, together with the young lady and
tilted yellow buoy, seen in the distance, go to form a triangle, creating the illusion of depth.

So, there you have it, I'm giving all my secrets away!

Have a happy Easter weekend,
Alberto, il pittore

A sweet home in Rijswijk

A sweet home in Rijswijk,
oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm (12 x 15.5 inches)
painted on location, Thursday 5 april 2006
SOLD

Dear Friends and art lovers,

Here is today's painting. Trees in blossom in a city park grounds, not far from my studio. Although I love painting seascapes, I also indulge in other gender outdoor paintings. It was late in the afternoon, so the geese were taking it easy, they were good models. I love the combinations of colors, and the spontaneity of execution of brushwork on this painting

Bye for now,

Alberto, il pittore

Path to the Sea

Path to the Sea
oil on canvas, 24 x 30 cm (9.5 x 12 inches)
painted on location, Westduinpark, The Hague, wed 4 april 2007

SOLD

Here is todays effort. Sorry about the quality of the picture, however it is very close to the colors of the original, only it is not as sharp as I would have liked. In the original you could see texture of brush work. I'll get it right one of these days. On my screen, if I tilt it upwards, and look from underneath I could see the clouds floating in the sky like in the original painting.

Holland is famous for its light, something special about it, very crisp, very bright. Today was no exception. As you can see it was rather windy, I was positioned on one of the highest points in the dunes, the cold breezes got to me eventually after 2 hrs of painting hastily. I'm not complaining, it was good to be in the sun.

As it was a rather cloudy day, the dark blue/green parts of the water are shadows cast by the never ending motion of the fluffy clouds. As the water being quite agitated by the wind it had a rather strange yellow/green/brownish tint, depending on how strong the sun light was bouncing on it. A great day to be sailing, I suppose. I couldn't help but thinking, " man if I'm cold here, they must be freezin' there buts off, on those sailboats." They must have special clothing for that sport.

Well bye for now, do remember to pass me on to friends, or simply mail me their email addresses.

Ciao,
Alberto, il pittore

This is what I do...

Return from a good day Sailing, Weesp, Holland (just under Amsterdam)
oil on canvas, 70 x 90 cm (27.5 x 35.5 inches)
painted on location, 24 sept 2006

This is what I do...
I find a location inspiring to paint, set up my easel, my oil paints, medium, turpentine and do what I do best.....paint, ...... oil colors on an empty canvas. Within a couple of hours I am almost
complete, this work took about 3.5 hrs. Pretty large for an outdoor painting. I take no pictures, so very seldom I have to return to location to finish the work. I see with my eyes and what comes through my hands and fingers as they control the brush, only God knows. I paint with a certain amount of control, yet it is in surrendering to the creative force, which I believe is infused in all of living matter, that the work begins to unfold before my eyes. I don't get it right all the time, I don't have a step-by-step, fool prove technique. but when it does click, magic happens. A small miracle takes place.

My paintings won't put you to sleep, that is for sure. My paintings say,......." Yeah you, look at me, I'm here..."

This painting is still available, when your interested. Check it out on my website, www.albertovalentini.nl

Alberto, il pittore

High winds off the North Sea

oil on canvas, 20 x 50 cm (8 x 20 inches)

SOLD

Hello Everyone,

Welcome, to the newcomers! My list is growing slowly but surely. Just last week there were only 37 on it, as of today 117. Thanks to the persons who are passing on the mail to friends and family.

What a difference a day makes. Yesterdays painting looked like it could have been made in Italy, today there is no mistaking were it was made. Waves breaking furiously, color of water brown as the earth it bathes, this my friends, is the North Sea, on cold, bitter windy day. One of the advantages these conditions have is the clarity of vision, the smoke and industrial area in the background is a good 40 kilometres away.

I like this composition, with the vanishing point a little of center to the left, a great sense of depth is result.
When you want to create some space in a corner of your office or working area in your home, this baby will do just that.

The tiny spots you see on the surface was a gift from nature, thus the owner of this work not only gets an image of the scene, but gets a few hundred particles of beach sand.

Alberto, il pittore.