The Mauritshuis, The Hague, NL

Het Mauritshuis en Torenje - (Hofvijver series # 15)
oil on canvas - 40 x 50 cm
painted on location - 9/17/22/23 April 2020

SOLD

Again found myself working on the series from the Hofvijver. This time decided to focus on this picturesque corner, featuring the Mauritshuis and the tower were the Prime Minister of Holland has his office. Upon studying the subject I concluded that the evening light would be the best time to make this painting, thus you have the buildings well lit from a warm Sun light. Strange painting on location in these days with the corona virus situation. Luckily for me we are not experiencing a complete lock down and most of the people are spending more time indoors than usually. 

Freedom

Vrijheid
oil on linen - 20 x 115 cm
painted on location - Wednesday 15 May 2019

SOLD


Got to the beach this morning, and nothing dramatic going on. Situation was very peaceful, the warmth of the Sun was good to feel, on what little exposed skin I had meeting the Sun's rays. It is still rather cold, thus the winter jacket is still in use. Thus I thought, why not just paint an image that brings across this feeling of tranquility and freedom, which I felt in that moment, thus this work was created.... Below a shot of the work in progress taken by a passer by, glad she shared it with me.

The Hofvijver, The Hague Series - # 8, 9, 10 and 11

The Hofvijver Series # 8
sprookjes achtig gezicht - winter 2019
oil on linen - 20 x 115 cm
painted on location - Sun/Mon 20/21 Jan 2019

SOLD

Developing this series further, I decided to make this panoramic view, which was inspired by a picture I saw by a local photographer, Bosz De Kler. What I found interesting is the triangular shape of the composition. Kandinsky referred to this as the "spiritual triangle", which has a subliminal effect on the viewer. The onlooker has simultaneously an entrance (far left) and an exit (far right), to and from the painting. But if one chooses you could stick around for a while, by make a left turn at the end of the street on the right, and head toward the church tower of the Krote Kerk.  The pond was almost completely covered with a thin layer of ice, as the temperature dropped to below freezing. Below a picture of me working taken by a passer by. While the sun was out it felt good, however still extremely cold!

1st day on location

                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hofvijver Series # 9
Eindelijk de magie van de winter (1st schilderij)
oil on canvas - 20 x 40 cm
painted on location - Tues. 22 Jan 2019

SOLD

As was predicted by the weather man we finally got hit by that fluffy white stuff, which is so characteristic of winter in most in the Northern Hemisphere, yes it finally snowed! And of course yours truly was on hand, first thing in the morning. Represented here are the two paintings I managed to create in the 5 hour period that I could withstand the cold. After which my toes started to feel a little numb, thus time to pack up and call it a day.

The Hofvijver Series # 10
De magie van de winter (2de schilderij)
oil on canvas - 20 x 60 cm
painted on location - Tues. 22 Jan 2019

SOLD

A painters dream come true, to work in the snow. Think it has something to do with the tonal range of all the subdued colours, due to the atmospheric hazy quality. Gives the landscape a mysterious mood.

Below a shot of me working on the 2nd painting,  #10 in the series.

on location

                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hofvijver Series # 11
De magie van de winter (3de schilderij)
oil on canvas - 30 x 60 cm
painted on location - Thurs. 24 Jan 2019
SOLD

Will almost all the snow has melted, but the pond is still very much covered with a thin layer of ice, as the temperatures are still quite low. This painting was started in the mid afternoon, and finished just before the darkness set in. The warm tones in the sky are caused by the setting Sun, which was taking place behind me. That's why you have orange/yellow being reflected in the windows of the buildings.

The Hofvijer #4 and #5, The Hague

De Hofvijver, DH #4
oil on canvas - 55 x 45 cm
painted on location - 29 Sept. 2018

SOLD

Further developing this series, I decided to walk down the street towards the Mauritshuis. In order to get in the lamp pole and fence I painted from the other side of the street.

De Hofvijver, DH. # 5
oil on canvas - 60 x 90 cm
painted on location - 3/5/9 Oct. 2018

no longer exists.

This time a rather large format for plien-air painting, I decided to capture these lovely warm tones as the leaves of the trees are entering their autumn phase. Also the Sun being lower than it usually is, this also helps to intensifies the warm colors of the buildings. Is it any wonder that this is the most photographed corner of The Hague, I mean it's bloody breathtaking, wouldn't you agree?

                                                                                      here you see me working on #4 in this series

Morning light on South Beach

Zuiderstrand met achtend lucht
oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm
painted on location - Sunday 22 April 2018

THIS WORK HAS BEEN PAINTED OVER, THUS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Here you have the first summer like image of the beach I usually paint at for the new 2018 season. The catamarans are just arriving in a week it will look much busier with all them in place.  A nice day to be on location, as we are enjoying unusual warm temperatures for this time of the year. Here below you see me working on the painting.

Scheveningen Beach in a winters fairy tale

Scheveningen strand en boulevard als een Sprookje
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted - Sun 12/Mon 13 Feb 2017

SOLD

What's there to say, but that I am so grateful that we finally had a downfall of that fluffy white stuff here on the coast of Holland! Everybody was excitingly happy, especially the little ones. And me I was really happy that i had the opportunity to get on location, and re work a painting that I made in December 2015 of this scenery! Thus the composition was already complete when I started on this painting.  You know it's funny, how some days one could paint better than on other days! I guess it is the same with anything one does. For me this was a day were the juice was flowing, fast and powerful, and what resulted is what you see. By the comments people were making as they stopped to have a look, and there were many people, as it was a soft winters sunshiny day, I felt I had accomplished a painting which will give much pleasure to the viewer. And that my dear friends, is a gift, from The Creator to me and from my hands to you. Here below a fine picture of me working on this painting taken by Maurice Haak, from This is The Hague, Tourist Information Centre. 

                                      (If you wish to have a better look at this painting,send me an email)

Carnivale 2015 - Visits The Hague 1.

Old fashion Merry-go-round, Day version

oil on canvas - 30 x 80 cm

painted on location - 28 Dec 2015

SOLD

Old Fashion Merry-go-round, Night Version​

oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm

painted on location - 27 Dec 2015

SOLD

Here you have something a little different. I have been fortunate to be selected the official resident painter of this marvellous and magical vintage style, Carnival event. It takes place at Huijgenspark in The Hague, during Christmas and New Years Eve, (unfortunately not every year). I made a total of 10 works, most of which were made on the spot.  I present here the works which concentrated on the merry-go-round (draaimolen). Mainly because of the kids shouts of joy, gave the whole atmosphere really a gay merry feeling. Also the colours and lights of the object itself was a delight to put on canvas. Below you see me getting started on the Night Version.

The whispering waves of The North Sea

de fluisterende golven van de Noordzee
oil on canvas, 40 x 60 cm
painted on location - Sun 03 March 2013, and worked on in studio  March 2013
SOLD

On the beach on a cold winters day, not so long ago, this work was made. The light was well defused, hardly no wind to speak of, creating these soft greenish/turquoise tones on the sea surface. Opted to paint in these visiting ducks, rather than the usual seagulls.

Reeuwijke Ponds, near Gouda

Reeuwijkse Plassen, Klein Elfhoeven, vanaf Korssendijk, 
10 x 15cm, oil on gesso wood panel
painted on location - Wed 6 March 2013
SOLD  

Holland has thousands of this sort of large ponds, a favorite location for vacation homes for city dwellers! Here you have signs of spring in the air.  Coloration of trees and plants still not green, which results in this soft display of warm tones.  A delight to paint, bringing out my soft nature!  Made a 4th painting, will be featured on next posting!

picture taken by Henry Retel, Kleinjesfotografie 

Sunny Winters day at Kijkduin

Zonnige Wintersedag, Kijkduin
oil on canvas, 30 x 90cm
Jan/Feb 2013 SOLD

Have worked on this painting on several occasions, both on location and finally in the studio. Of course we had that snow storm which changed the situation of this view totally! Anyway got it off just in time for the exhibition opening this coming Sunday, in that very large building which is, the Atlantic Hotel, in Kijkduin. The play of light, casting shadows, creates tension and helps in defining the space. Ones eye is gently ushered far away to the vanishing point, by both the beach line and the white fence at the boulevard. Here below a picture of an on location session, taken by my daughter Selena!

Sunset on The White Beach

Zuiderstand met sneeuw tijdens Zonsondergand 
oil on canvas, 60 x 80cm
painted on location - Tues/Wed  15/16 Jan 2013
SOLD

The first real great snowfall here in Holland, and guess what, The Hague got hit the hardest! That made for some beautiful scenery, in otherwise not so interesting places. Here I have returned to a theme which I explored in depth a few years ago when I first started this project, "Wet Paintings from The Lowlands"!  As some of you may already know, I am preparing paintings for my up and coming exhibition in the NH Atlantic (Hotel) Kijkduin. The entrance to the beach shown in this painting is directly in front of that hotel. Below a picture taken by photographer, Peter van Bennekom, just as I got started on this canvas, late in the afternoon, whilst the Sun was low thus casting warm hues and created this lovely view!   .

   

Oh Canada.......Up North

 Gezicht op mijn landgoed/Canada,
  oil on cedar wood, 13 x 71cm  -  (5" x 28")
  painted on location - Friday 20th July 2012

€ 525

Just back from a three week vacation, visiting family and friends, with my daughter Selena and Wilma. This is the not so little piece (100 acres) of Canada I own together with my brother Mike Valentini. The cabin was  built by Irish pioneers back in the mid  1800's. Of course additions/reparations  have been made over the years, but it certainly still retains it's original charm, as is evident in this painting and the picture below. This is the only work I made on the trip, as most of the time I was being a family man, and doing fun things! Travelling light, I only brought a hand full of art material with me. As luck would have it, I found this neat piece of scrap cedar behind that garage on the left, already treated for outdoor exposure,  I could apply the water based oil paints directly on it (see picture below of work in progress). Remember click on the image to get a proper view.

Let the good times roll, Noordwijk Aan Zee!

Strandgezicht Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas, 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Sat 26 May 2012    SOLD

Summer is in the air, and you know what, it came and went, in the period of 48 hrs! Will I'm almost positive we will get it back again, before September rolls around. Spent last holiday weekend again at Noordwijk Aan Zee, were I was guest painter at the Opera Aan Zee 2012. Here you have 1 of 4 seascapes made in that period. Also knocked off 7 opera scene paintings! Thus while for most of you a holiday weekend, not for il pittore. However I did chill out between painting.

 

                                               family shot taken by the photographer Johan Westra

 

Opera Aan Zee 2012, Noordwijk Aan Zee, Holland

Three scenes of the Opera Aan Zee,
oil on canvas
50 x 40 cm  each
painted on location  -  Fri 18 - Sun 20 May 2012

SOLD

Last year at the Noordwijkschildersfestival I was awarded the price Artist in Residence at this event. The price includes lodging at a hotel in Noordwijk Aan Zee, and the chance to make and sell paintings of the shows. Thus the audience get to see the performance, (which take place on the terraces and patios of selected residences), of both the musicians and an artist painting the scene. Of course the pressure is on,... well I did my best, here you have the results. These works are made during the performance, which last less than one hour, in most cases!  Back on location next Friday thru to Monday, 25 - 28th.

Winters Magic on Ice #4

Panoramic view of Dobbelplas skating baan
oil on wood panel
9" x 39.5" - 22 x 100cm
painted on location - Wed 8 Feb 2012

no longer exists

I do believe this format seems to compliment this scenery. The 4th work made at this location. Characterized by swift one-off brush strokes, made in a total of 90 minutes(and 37 yrs experience) this art work has mortalized a moment in time, such as a cameras lens would do. A Dutch child, learning for the first time, how to keep balance on two thin metal blades on a cold slippery surface. Here below a close up, as taking a quality picture of this format is difficult for an amatuer photographer! And a shot of me working on location!

Spring in the air, Sourh Beach, The Hague

Lente begint, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas
80 x 120 cm (please note size)
painted on location - Sunday 20 march 2011  -   SOLD


As I mentioned on my last posting, this is the large painting made Sunday morning. Absolutely no wind on my back, otherwise it would have been impossible to execute such a large size canvas on location! By coincidence, a professional freelance photographer, saw me working and took the picture which I've included. A new step for il pittore , to work on such a large format, from start to finish on location. I must say the challenge was met with delight and much to my surprise, very rewarding. Since it is difficult to bring you a sharp image, have included two close-ups for your viewing pleasure.






picture by Johan Westra

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!

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!