Soft autumn day in Delft

Herfst dag Oosteinde, Delft
oil on canvas
40 x 30 cm
painted on location - Thursday 14 October 2010
SOLD


One of my favorite canal scenes in Delft. This time with an accent of autumn colors, makes this view a delight to paint. All those yellow/greenish hues work well with the warm colors of the houses and wall of the canal. Not too obvious is that mother and child walking in front of that pink house on the left, thus the detail below.

Sailing on the North Sea

Zeilen op een mooie dag
oil on canvas,20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Sunday 10 October 2010  -  SOLD

This painting was made recently on what was a beautiful day here in The Lowlands! Not a cloud in the sky to speak about, except for that hazy vapor, way off on the horizon. There was some sort of sailing competition going on, thus I had many a variety of sail boats to paint. Amazing that this is the same stretch of water that you see on my previous posting. As the English landscape master John Constable (1776 - 1837) used to say, "The sky is the source of light in Nature and it governs everything." As it is difficult for me to get a sharp image of this format painting, I strongly urge you to have a good look at the detail below (make sure you click on it to see it properly).

View of the North Sea, Westduinpark, The Hague

Gezicht op de Noord Zee, Westduinpark, Den Haag
oil on canvas
18 x 24 cm
painted on location - Friday 15 October 2010
SOLD

Here I am back at a familiar location. Feeling the need for some peace and to get my head cleared up from what can be defined as ones lifes struggles. I decided to head for this secluded location in Westduinpark, with this spectacular view of the North Sea. Despite the fact that it was not a very suitable day for outdoor painting, (as rain clouds drifted over me on 3 occasions), I nevertheless managed to knock off this small format earthly colored seascape. The light reflecting on the surface of the water was of such an intense light pale green hue, it seemed to be lit up from the bottom of the sea! On the horizon, one can distinguish what gives this country its extreme wealthy finicial position. That tiny dark spot on the horizon is an oil platform. To the right, a tanker, most likely waiting for the price of the oil barrel to increase, thus securing a gaining of millions!

Beach Cafe at Wassenaarseslag

Strandpavilijon te Wassenaarseslag
oil on canvas, 50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 12 October 2010
SOLD

I'm having some fun here developing what is working up to be a series of oils made at this location. Yesterday was a bit cool, however, as evident in this painting, worth being on location. That never ending famous Dutch light, together with those beautiful Dutch clouds, which seem to be wanting to get somewhere in a hurry, was more than enough inspiration to get me going. Might be interesting for you, the observer to note just how those flag poles were placed in this work. If you check out the detail below, (make sure to click on it), you will clearly see that they were not painted in, but rather the wet paint was removed off, in order for the white from the canvas to show through. Kunst van weglaten, is what they call it in Dutch, The Art of leaving out, in English.


For all you Saint Thomas's out there, proof that I actually make these paintings on location!

Looking North from Wassenaarseslag

Gezicht van kust vanaf Wassenaarseslag
oil on canvas
60 x 80 cm
painted on location - Sunday 3 Oct 2010       SOLD

Like I mentioned in previous posting, here you have the 2nd painting that was made on that lovely Indian summers day on the beah at Wassenaar. This time the vanishing point takes you to Noordwijk Aaan Zee. I found the pink/rose colour of the windbreakers an attractive accent for the overall composition. The warm tones of the objects on the forefront, combine harmoniously with the cool hues of the sky and sea.

View of Scheveningen from Wassenaar's Beach

Gezicht vanaf Wassenaarseslag
oil on canvas, 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Sunday 3 October 2010 SOLD

A little off my "beat and track", but not so far. Usually I'm painting on the other side of that small scale skyline and pier, about 3 kilometers done the coast.
I rather enjoyed myself, meeting all sorts of friendly new people. Many 'Expats' live in and around Wassenaar, thus got to speak my native language on a few occasions! The scenery also took me by surprise, somewhat similar to South Beach, The Hague, just a little less built up. Personally I find that attractive, more Nature, less human intervention. Speaking about Nature, I purposely, painted in the horizon quite low, thus affording one to take in and breath all that fresh Sea air, (figuratively speaking of course). Probably the last warm, ideal weather situation this country will experience for a long time. Thus 'il pittore' was rather obligated to pack his gear, and sieze the day! Which I did, getting myself ready the night before, and produced this and another modestly large beach scene.