A cloud drifts over Leiden

View of Rapenburg, Leiden
oil on canvas
24 x 30 cm
painted on location, Monday 30 March 2009

Donated to Charity,
private collection Leiden

Just a lovely early spring like day here in Holland. Back in Leiden making yet another study for the Leiden commission piece. Only one modern building to be seen in this scene, to which I have paid little attention, (just behind and right of the cupola). Hardly a cloud in the sky, yet just as I started painting, that fluffy little charming cloud made its journey across my line of vision.

The yellow buoy, in the North Sea.

Sunny conditions with wind force 6, South Beach, The Hague
oil on canvas
20 x 140 cm
paintied on location - Fri 27 March 2009 -  SOLD

Hey, Hey, finally back on the beach. My small piece of paradise. Even though the wind was blowing hard, thanks to the red brigade container next to the sailing club den haag, I was able to shelter myself. Lovely wave action today. Not even a seagull in sight, guess they have enough sense to wait for the winds to die down. Me I can't wait, because the drama of all those breaking waves is what attrachs me, and makes painting it all, challenging yet fun.

Thought it proper to show you that in fact there is a yellow object floating on the sea surface. You could also get an appreciation of the thickness of the oil paint. The sand is proof that I actually do paint on location!

Once upon a time in Leiden

Street called, Lange Mare, as seen from bridge on Oude Vest
oil on gessoed board
9 x 18 cm
painted on location, Sunday 22 March 2009

SOLD

That title came to me because, something about how this painting developed, and the coloration it ended up with (which almost felt dictated to me), appears as though it could have been made in Rembrant's time. I'm sure that every building you see is more than 400 yrs old. I've been given a commission to paint this scene, so this is study #1. Leiden really is a picturesque place, great for us plein-air painters.

Regentesseplein, The Hague #3/09

Queen Emma Monument as seen from Behind
oil on gessed board
15 x 8.5 cm - (small format)
painted on location, Saturday 21 March 2009

Private collection, The Hague

This composition looks very similar to the first painting I made of this scene, however on close observation you will note that I made this from the opossite side of the square(plein). You could just see the right arm of the female goddess statue holding what looks like an olive leave branch, on the right side of the obelisk, between the top of the trees.

Regentesseplein, The Hague #2/09, Sunny morning

Oil study of Monument to Queen Emma, Small format
oil on gessoed wood,
8.5 x 15 cm
Painted on location, Monday 16 March 2009

SOLD

Finally got the move of my studio out of the way, now more time to dedicate myself to what it is I love to do, paint. Am developing a larger painting of this scene, but had the inspiration to knock off this tiny format of a wide panoramic scene. The play of light made my job interesting and fun.

Fishing boat and yachts, oil sketch, Scheveningen

A small corner(hoekje) of the, 2e Binnen haven
oil on canvas
18 x 13 cm
painted on location, Thurs 5 March 2009  SOLD


I started off painting on a larger canvas of this view, with overcast skies, thus the lighting was much more subdued. Then about half way through, the sun decided make a friendly appearance, thus I decided to knock off this little guy. They say a painting is never complete, it just stops at an interesting point. It could not be more true as in the case of this little oil sketch. At least that's what I feel.

Path in the dunes, Westduinpark #1/2009

A calm and peaceful moment
oil on canvas
18 x 24 cm
painted on location, Monday 2 March 2009
SOLD


A calm and peaceful moment on a lovely soft winters day. What a privilege it is for me to be able to set up and paint in this much valued nature reserve, and all right at my doorstep, practically. Yes, us lucky ones in The Hague, should count our blessings. The sun made several attempts yesterday, to shine its life giving rays on our coastline. I had to work quickly and from memory, as it soon became overcast, and the play of light diminished. On the horizon, in the distance, one can just barely make out the silhouette of the three mast clipper, the 'eendracht'. Take a deep breath, stop whatever you are doing, a brief pause from your busy schedule, and imagine yourself walking down this path, believe me it will do you a world of good!