Impressions from Noordwijk Painters Festival 2010

Painting at Sea side, Noordwijk Aan ZeeMonday 21 June 2010 (late afternoon)

Here I am on my knees, yet once more, getting just the right view necessary to paint the scene which is on the painting just below. This is the 1st of 28 paintings (officially 26 submitted to the festival, 2 were completely re-painted, thus 28!) made on location starting Monday 21 to Sunday morning 27th June, at this fantastic painting event. Probably the best painters festival in the world, for sure #1 in Europe. And luckily for il pittore it takes place just 25 klm up the coast from were I live. I haven't missed this event for the last 8 years now. Together with a total of 84 painters, working on location, I had the time of my life.


Here you have solid prove, that my works are indeed "fresh from the easel" The festival is about to begin, it is almost 8pm and I am about to register my first 2 paintings. (If you look carefully on top of this picture you see a smalll 18 x 24 cm, made right after the 30 x 90 cm was finished)



This is a view looking south from the beach at Noordwijk, 60 x 80 cm, 1st of 6 paintings made on the 2nd day of the festival.



By day 3 of this week, the weather took everyone by surprise and jumped up to a most welcomed 28 degrees celsius. I found a comfortable spot in the shade next to a beach cafe called 'the seagull'. Thus I made two paintings of this scene. The beach entrance to the cafe has this lovely bronze of a mermaid, I noticed the play of light bouncing off her, thus was inspired to make this 18 x 24 cm canvas, and a 30 x 60 cm as well.



These 2 paintings (above, 30 x 90 cm, below 20 x 140 cm) were made on day 5.
I had two easels set up and I made these works simultaneously. Thank God I had the shade of my own parasol to asist me in seeing what the @/ beep !* $# I was up to on these paintings. Have you noticed the karate kid practicing his kick on the long painting here below! Thus North view shown on top, south view here under.




This is merely a selection of the 26 paintings. Next posting well feature one of the 2 paintings that did not sell, thus a total of 24 art works from il pittore have found there way into peoples homes. If events like this would take place on a regular basis, say once/twice a month, I'd be a millionare in no time!

Sailing Club House, South Beach, The Hague

HKZV Den Haag, met hooge wind
oil on canvas, 30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Wed 16 June 2010 - re-worked in studio Wed 25 April 2012
SOLD

The wind was blowing with considerable force, didn't have too many options, re setting up. However after having a warm Mint tea at beach cafe De Fuute, I decided to paint this scene, partially baraccaded from the wind. Had to get down low, to protect myself and my gear. Unfortunately I got to the point were my feet were becoming numb, due to the cold wind. (Optimistically I put on a pair of shorts and sandals, what a mistake!) I'm glad those sailors decided to brave the wild North Sea, it brought to realization a point of interest in this scene. The front sail is being unravelled, in about 20 minutes that cat will be catching some high winds. Those dudes are gonna get quite a work out.

Otinko's World

De wereld van Otinko
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - 2 occasions, finished off in studio (28/5 - 11/6 2010)

private collection, The Hague

Commoissioned by the owner of this wonderful creature to paint her, and I must admit I've fallen in love with her. Who knows what she is longing for, in those melancholic puppy eyes? Whatever it is, it strikes a cord in my own heart. The play of light plays a pivotal role in this composition, without it the scene would lack depth and interest.

Beach Cafe South, The Hague

Strandpaviljon Zuid, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas, 100 x 150 cm (inderdaad grot)
painted on location in 4 settings, May/June 2010

Private Collection, The Hague

It is still morning, however the mid day Sun has almost reached its zeinth (highest point) and is wanting to shower this beach with heat and light. People are arriving in large numbers, soon the beach will be covered wall-to-wall with delighted Dutch folk, who are well aware of the fact, that here in The Lowlands, you make it a priority to get to the beach, on such lovely warm sunny days. This is a first for il pittore, to work on such a large format on location. Exposed to the elements, in this case, the wind being a crucial factor. I was also risking the possiblity of getting fined by he local authorities, (oh don't they love to hand out fines in this neck of the woods!), as I had to position myself just behind that inconvenient barbed wired fence, to get this amazing view. If you scroll down my blog a few postings back, you will find the study made for this commission piece.
Again for your viewing pleasure, two details.