Beach entrance #9, South beach, The Hague 1 & 2

Strandslag #9, Zuiderstrand, DH #1

oil on linnen - 40 x 100 cm

painted on location - Fri 22 July 2022

SOLD

private collection Madrid, Spain

In this painting I strived to bring the message of a not so tame North Sea view from the Westduinpark are of The Hague. Wind is emphasised, even though it is a lovely sunny scenery. I was asked to make this painting by a Spanish family that was moving back to Spain after having spent a few years in Holland. 

Strandslag #9, Zuiderstrand, DH #2

oil on linnen - 50 x 120 cm

painted on location - Fri 5 Aug 2022

SOLD

I enjoyed making the above painting so much that I decided to make yet another version of this scene. Thus I headed out about a week later and managed to knock off this painting in two settings. Although it is the same view you should be able to notice several differences, most notably the direction of the wind as indicated in the flag! 

 

Children with parents, North Beach, Scheveningen

Ouders met Kinderen, Noorderstrand, Scheveningen

oil on canvas - 50 x 175 cm

painted on location and in the studio - June/July 2021

SOLD 

Commission / Opdracht

I was very happy to get this commission as I love getting out to the beach and working on this subject. Always a challenge to paint on such a large format on location at the beach, however it was possible and what was not possible I made up for it in the studio. Paying customer was happy, person getting the painting as a special gift was happy, and I was happy. What more can a working artist ask for?

 

Zuiderstrand commision painting

 Study for Zuiderstrand commision painting

oil on canvas - 20 x 60 cm
painted on location - Tues 07 July 2020

SOLD

As this was the first time I make a painting of this view I decided a study would be a good idea. Thus a week before I made that larger painting below I made this smaller study to familiarise myself with this view. This helps me in making decisions about the final composition

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View of Kijkduin and Zandmotor commision.

oil on canvas - 50 x 150 cm
painted on location - Tuesday 21 July 2020

SOLD

Here is the final version of this commision scene. It is what the customer wanted, thick Dutch clouds sweeping across the sky, the dunes, a summery feeling. I had to wait for the right conditions, was lucky for me that this took place just a couple of days ago. Again here in this sceen I have omitted a very large new construction area, which is what the customer desired, and I must admit I would have left that elephant of a building which would have appeared just above the white roof of the 1st beach pavilion on the left side  

Path in the dunes, Westduinpark, The Hague

Pad in de duinen, Westduinpark, DH
oil on canvas - 60 x 70 cm
painted on location -  Wed 28 Aug 2019

SOLD 

Upon request this painting was created, thus a commission piece. Serene and peaceful,  is the sensations I tried to bring across, hopefully it reads this way for you as well.

Family outing with beloved pet

Familie uitje met gelieved hond
oil on canvas - 40 x 100 cm
painted on location and in studio -  July/Aug 2019

SOLD 

After an early dinner the family takes the dog out for a stroll on the beach.  For the dog, this is a real treat. Has all the room in the world to run about, they could socialise with other dogs, as this is neutral territory. And after all, it's good for the owners as well, a little physical exercises never did anyone harm. 

A summer's day with nice clouds

Mooie volken op een zomers dag,
oil on canvas - 50 x 150 cm
painted on location - Thurs 18 July 2019

SOLD 

An early morning view of what will turn out to be a busy day here at the beach in The Hague. Made to order, exactly what the customer wanted.
1. Not too many people.
2. the big picture of Zuiderstrand, thus the birds eye view. (it amazes me, how i manage to do this, I swear my feet are on the ground, when I painted this, yet it looks like it was made from higher up, a mystery!)
3.a lot of  typical Dutch clouds in a clear blue sky,  (this giving the impression of movement to the painting, which ultimately makes it interesting.)

Two recent commissions

Vrouw met haar hond bij Zuid

oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm

painted on location - 29 May 2019

SOLD

Here I was asked to include the beach cafe/restaurant Zuid, in the painting. They ordered a blue sky, thus they got it! Am glad there was some nice clouds floating around, which created some shadows, always makes a painting more interesting.

Gezicht op Zuiderstrand de Stillestrand
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm
painted on location - 28 May 2019
SOLD

On this commission, the order was to paint a windy beach scene, with the Sea at high tide, and those fluffy cumulus clouds a must. In this case was asked not to include the beach cafes, just an emphases on the Nature. Customer was happy with my effort, and that's what counts, on a commission piece.

Memories of a warmer times, (2 comissions)

Couple with pet in front of Strandpavelijon De Kwartel
oil on canvas - 30 x 120 cm
Painted on location and in studio - Sept 2014

private collection Den Haag


The man of this couple was given this painting as a birthday present from his beloved wife. It was important that I place them on the waterfront walking towards the beach cafe called De Kwartel. The scene is draped with a soft glow of late afternoon light, the temperature is warm and comfortable. A fine moment to reflect on, especially on these cold winter days, with shortened hours of daylight.

Family outing on the beach, Zwartepad, Scheveningen
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm 
Painted on location and in the studio Oct/Nov 2014

private collection Den Haag

This work was commissioned to me by the daughter of that man you see playing with his two grand children at the waters edge. The background is made up of the dominant pier,  the hotels and other buildings making up the boulevard of Schevenigen. It is difficult to see all the details with accuracy as this format is not suitable for web logging, but believe you me, when standing in front of the  original painting the details are as sharp and clear as the blue of the sky.

De Gazelle, Amsterdam

De Gazelle van Don te Amsterdam,
oil on canvas - 35 x 75 cm  (14 x 30 inches)
painted on location and in studio - Dec 2013/Jan 2014
(private collection - Amsterdam)

Was indeed a pleasure for me to work on this characteristic old vessel that was originally designed as a cargo ship for the North Sea. Now used for living/dwelling by its owner Don, who can be seen on the deck.
The play of light was most important, thus on location in the morning! Left out all the modern buildings on the other side of canal, as desired by the present owner of this work.

In love at Kijkduin, Holland

Op pad naar de zee , Kijkduin
oil on canvas, 50 x 150 cm
painted on location and in studio - Dec 2011 - March 2012
SOLD

Here you have the final version of this commission piece. Was quiet the challenge working on it thru the winter and yet giving it this spring like atmosphere. They don't call us painters masters of illusions for nothing! This painting will be hanging in the home of that couple walking on the path. The play of light really helped in defining the space, and both the shoreline and the boulevard on the right lead the viewers eye to a distant location somewhere beyond the concrete jungle of Scheveningen.

A pleasant summers day on the Beach

Gezellig zomers dag an het strand, Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas
60 x 120 cm (24 x 47 inches)
painted on location - 5 July 2011

private collection, Noordwijk

I was asked to make this painting during the painters festival 2 weeks ago. However it was not realized until yesterday, as the weather was not at all cooperative. The location is Noordwijk, I was sit up directly in front of the luxurious Huis ter Duin Hotel, next to the catamarans. The landmark lighthouse stands stalwart and proud on the extreme right side of the canvas. The water was obviously a treat for people to cool off in the warm summer temperatures. Not a bad location to enjoy a hot summers day!

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.

Trouwestraatje, Leiden

Wedding Lane, Leiden
oil on canvas
60 x 120 cm ( a fair size)
painted on location in 8 sittings, 27 Oct. - 25 Nov.

private collection, Leiden

A funny name for a painting, but indeed on that ornate lamp pole next to the vibrantly colored tree, is a little sign with that street name on it. Couples get married in the monumental building which happens to be the City Hall, they then come out that door which you can see at the top of the steps on the far left, and usually walk down the small lane to take pictures at the canal. The young lady who gave me this commission, not only got married at this location, her soon to be husband, proposed to her on that very terrace which is featured under those crimson and violet parasols. To make the scene pleasurable to the viewer I decided to work in this panoramic format, capturing that delightful play of light on the buildings to the right. The bridge with the canal also adds a sweet accent, I believe. Just for the record, we have been having mostly not so pleasant weather here, this cordial lighting situation captured only happened for a total of about 3 hrs, at various times, while on location. That represents less than 15% of the actual time I was painting. Oh yes, by the time I finished the piece there might have been approx. 35 leaves left on that majestic looking wonder of nature, stalwartly positioned admist a bustling city center here in The Lowlands. For your convenience, a detail.

The Windmill in Wassenaar, Holland

Het windmolen van Wassenaar
oil on canvas
18 x 13 cm each
painted on location - Thurs. 10 Sept 2009

Private Collection, Florida, USA

As you can clearly see the 1st one was made up close. A nice play of light happening, due to the cast shadows from the wooden fixtures attached to this fascinating structure. 2nd painting was made from a distance of about 70 meters. This residential area is loaded with a wide variety of healthy and mature trees, which add a nice accent to the red roof tops.

Beach Cafe, 'De Branding', Noordwijk Aan Zee

Twee schilderijn van 'De Branding', Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas
40 x 60 cm (each)
painted on location - Tues. 8 Sept 2009

Private collection, Florida, USA

It is funny, on my last three painting sessions I've made 2 paintings at a time! (Next posting will also feature 2 works). This scene was requested of me from a family that are going away, moving to America. I was so grateful for the heat wave that came rather unexpectantly, earlier this week. It was so hot, had to work under a parasol. Firstly, for the shade it provided on the canvas, secondly, to keep me from getting a sunstroke! It is amazing how intense the blue of the water can become, when there is little wave activity, on the surface. Due to the extreme heat you have the mist effect hanging over the horizon, which add lovely warm nuances to the composition

A beautiful day in Leiden.

Op terras aan de Lange Mare, Leiden
oil on canvas
70 x 100 cm
painted on location in 10 sessions,(25 April - 01 June 2009)

private collection, Leiden, Holland

Will here it is, the Leiden commission, finally! Some paintings just take a little longer to make, especially when one has to work more or less in the same lighting conditions. I'm going to miss this location, as it turned out I became rather fond of the place. Friendly people, mostly university students, approached me, one dweller generously offering me coffee on a few occasions. This has to be one of the most picturesque places in all of Holland, just check out that cupola, engulfed by all those slightly tilted 16th century Dutch regal homes. Details have been minimalizing in this somewhat complicated compisition, however enough has been included to liven up this lazy hot Sunday afternoon. For you the viewer three close ups to get a good look.

Biltstraat 208, Utrecht

Painting for Felix
oil on canvas,
50 x 60 cm
painted on location 2x, (finished in studio from photos)

Private collection, Utrecht

Here you have an example of a comission work. It was rather challenging to give this work a fresh summers look, with a dominant play of light, as both times I went on location, it was anything but a summers day. Very grey on the 1st setting, then on the 2nd attempt, the sun did generously make a 45 minute appearance, however I had to deal with scaffolds(steigers) that were built up covering the whole front and side of the subject. The person who gave me the comission was born and grew up in this house, him and 14 other brothers and sisters. I had only a three week period to complete it, however have promised to paint in some family members, when they could come up with a photo from that time, we are talking approx. 50 years ago. Here you have a picture of the scene and a very early stage of the painting.