End of May at Kijkduin Beach, Holland

oil on canvas,
30 x 90 cm (12 x 35.5 in.)
painted on location, wed 30 and thurs 31 May 2007  -  SOLD


It has been a while, and I'm glad to be back, doing what I love to do. Had to take care of business, these last few days; framed approx. 35 art works, in preparation for two exhibitions. One officially opened yesterday at Kijkduin on the boulevard, La Galleria Italian restaurant. The other one will open soon, but the works are already hanging at that location as will. So I have been busy.
Today's work represents a stretch of the beach which I've painted for the first time. The restaurant I'm showing at is directly above this view. All the landmarks, poles, dunes and shore line send the eye cunningly to the vanishing point, then the eye has chance to view the vague distant skyline, which is symbolic of the wealth of this small yet industrious country. Floating on the water is a fishing vessel from Scheveningen. The people represented on the bottom of the canvas form a line which leads the eye into the sea and off into the unseen continuation of the water, helping to create even greater depth than which is already quite visible.

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Ciao,

Painter and Model

Painter and Model

oil on canvas 40 x 70 cm - ( 16 x 28 in.)

SOLD

Hello Everyone,

Like almost every Friday, I'm in the studio having a life drawing/painting session, with a real life model. Here you see the painter being reflected in a mirror. This makes for an interesting
composition, as the viewer can imagine him/herself looking over the shoulders of the artist. Reflected in the mirror are paintings of Jane Walker. This actually is a detail of a larger painting, which you will not ever know, unless you make it to my studio before I crop it down.

Bye for now,

Alberto, il pittore Valentini

Catamaran Club House, Kijkduin, Holland # 5

oil on canvas,
60 x 50 cm - ( 24 x 20 in. )
painted on location, Wed 23 May 2007, late morning

SOLD


Like I said, I'm going to paint 12 versions of this club house. I'm still not half way there, and my familiarity with the subject is beginning to make my job a little easier. The club house was closed, but it still is a nice scene to paint. The sky was crystal clear today, the visibility of industrial terrain on the horizon line was quite sharp, actually toned it down a bit, but I was generous with the smoke arising from some sort of boiler, heaven knows what is going on there? Had a nice female sun bather as a model, she and the two men checking her out, helped me in filling this somewhat empty beach scene. Which was intentional, as to give the illusion of a large area. Need to create space in your compact living room, this baby will do just that. Just think, within a few months, we will be experiencing those Benelux greys, looking at this will certainly brighten up your day!

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Ciao,

Quiet day on the North Sea

oil on canvas
10 x 15 cm - ( 4 x 6 in.)
painted on location - Monday 7 May 2007

SOLD


Today I was occupied with administration work, and preparation for 3 up and coming exhibitions. So I decided to properly show this little seascape painted at Wijk aan Zee, two weeks ago. How says you can't work outdoors in the rain? This painting was made under such conditions. It helps to find a spot where you can stay dry. I find I can make more emotionally suggestive works in these circumstances. when the atmospheric conditions are not so clear.

In love at Kijkduin, Holland ( Catamaran Beach House # 4)

oil on canvas,
40 x 70 cm - ( 16 x 27.5 in.)

SOLD


The wind is starting to get ingrained in my DNA, thus am getting better at painting it. This work is alive with movement, everything seems to be coming at you, yet at the same time it is also sucking you in to the scene, delivering you express to the vanishing point. Movement is also happening across the given space. This brought about by the indication of the wind's direction, and the eye following the beach houses, catamarans, and finally the sail boat in the distance. I'm very happy with the colors in this work, not entirely true to life, but then art does not have to be, because we artists re-invent nature, not copy it.

Bye for now.
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Catamaran Club House, Kijkduin, Holland. # 3

oil on canvas,
50 x 60 cm - ( 20 x 24 in. )

SOLD



Here it is, # 3. I know some of you are waiting to see this series develop. I mentioned that I will make 12 oils of this subject, will I'm being true to my word. I must have been crazy to be on the open beach with an easel and let's face it, not a small canvas either. I weighed my gear down as best I could, I pulled through the ordeal, ok. Hopefully, you get an idea of how hard the wind was blowin', just by looking at the sand formations on the beach. Flat by the water, then piled high towards the dunes. You will notice that the featured catamaran is being engulfed by sand. It is actually on a wheeled mechanism, used to transport it into the water. Not the best conditions for catamaran sailing, or outdoor painting, however the kite surfers where getting quite a work out ! I'm going to have to make a small adjustment on the horizon line, it seems to have a slight hump in the middle. Otherwise am satisfied with results.

Catching the wind on The North Sea

oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm ( 12 x 16 in.)
painted on location, thurs. 17 May, late afternoon

SOLD


Today's painting shows what the reflections on the water look like when the sun begins its evening descent, and a beautiful blue sky it turned out to be. Only a few hours earlier, the sky was overcast, thus it was wise for me to wait until the afternoon. The spatial distinctions between the catamaran and the distant sail boat help define space and create a sense of depth, in this great open space, all contained on this relatively small piece of stretched cotton. Upon close examination you will see the enthusiastic sailor commanding great authority over his light weight colorful vessel.

The coastline at Domburg, Holland

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

SOLD


Yesterday I drove down to Domburg, as there happens to be a painter's festival going on. Went to meet some friends and the organizer of that event. While there I knocked off two paintings, this was the second one. Found on this beach are these characteristic rows of poles used, I imagine, to break the waves, otherwise the whole coastline would eventually get washed away. I may be wrong, you are welcome to correct me. However, I feel I got the painting right, and that is what matters to me. By the way those little white spots, happen to be algae, floating around.



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Ciao,
Il pittore

Sisters (Zusjes)

oil on canvas
50 x 80 cm ( 20 x 31.5 in.)
painted on location, Wijk aan Zee, Sunday 13 May 2007

SOLD



Today's painting is a rather large seascape, showing the North Sea calmed down, after days of high winds and storm conditions. I was busy for a week on this location, and this is the last painting made. Holland, as some of you know, is famous for its light. Working at the sea, I can testify to that. The reflections on the water, from the sky are forever shifting. Just in the hour while I was working, I must have noticed at least 8 or 9 totally different color configurations. A plein-air painter has to work fast, otherwise he is in deep trouble. Working from memory, even whilst on location is essential. Everything is in movement, the clouds in the sky, waves breaking on the shore, people walking in and out of the area being painted. The sand is about the only aspect of the work that is fixed. So if you think for a moment, that this is easy, forget about it. I spent one hour on location, and made some touch ups in my studio yesterday.

Bye for now,

Windforce 5, Wijk aan Zee, North Holland

oil on canvas,
30 x 60 cm ( 12 x 24 in.)
painted on location, Thursday 10 May 2007

SOLD



Today's painting was made thanks to the protection of a caravan stationed right in the middle of the beach. What it was doing there? Don't ask me. It would have been impossible to make this painting on location, otherwise. You will notice some sand on the canvas. This, due to the wind blowing about furiously. Most of it will come off, once the paint dries. This, if nothing else, is prove that I actually do make my works on location!

Wijk Aan Zee, is not too far from Holland's International Airport, Schipol. That explains the plane, making its descent, on the top left corner. The pilot is taking full advantage of the wind, off course.

I appreciate your comments. Do drop me a line.

Il pittore.

High westerly winds on the North Sea, Wijk aan Zee, N.Holland

painted on location, this morning, next to 2 large garbage containers
(shieling me from wind)

oil on canvas,
40 x 90 cm - (16 x 35.5 in), somewhat large

SOLD


Here you have a look at the Dutch coastline under near storm conditions. You could see by the stiffness of the flags, it is not a light wind. All that yellow stuff on the shore line is some sort of algae, as I found out, by a local snack bar vendor, who generously offered me a coffee after yesterday evening's painting.
The row of beach houses is unique in this part of the country. You also may note here why the dunes are rather an important natural resource in this little low lying country of pleasant folk. You guessed it, protection!


Bye for now,
Alberto, il pittore
The Hague, The Netherlands.

South entrance, Wijk aan Zee Beach, Holland

Sat. 5 May, early afternoon,
oil on canvas,
30 x 40 cm ( 12 x 16 in.)

SOLD


I am posting this today, however the painting was made last Saturday, 5 May. I am particapating in a painters festival, in Wijk Aan Zee, that is a coastal town, just North of Haarlem. This work captures the situation, early afternoon, nice and sunny, but quite windy. Check out the wind rustling through the flags.

Enjoy, and do post a comment, if you like.

Beach Pavilion, De Kwartel, Kijkduin Holland

oil on canvas,
24 x 30 cm ( 9.5 x 12 in.)
painted on location, late morning, early afternoon
SOLD

I'm getting my act together, baby! Finally nailed this situation. I roasted in the meantime, but it was well worth it. I'm saying this because two weeks ago I made a little painting of this beach cafe, from another angle, which did not work out. Didn't bother posting it. Unbelievable that this whole situation disappears in the winter months. We are having fantastic weather here, as is clearly visible, on this little oil painting.

Bye for now, and welcome to the newcomers. Don't forget about the Il pittore ARTMILES. Anyone signs up on my mail list as a result of you inviting them to do so, you get an ARTMILE. Accumulate them and get fantastic discounts on eventual purchases, from il pittore.

Until the next painting.