Koerenbrug by night, Leiden

Koerenbrug 's nachts, Leiden
oil on canvas
30 x 80 cm
painted on location on 3 occasions - 8 Oct/2Nov/9Nov 2010(also worked on in studio)
SOLD 

This actually started as a day time painting, but on the second occasion, it started to get dark so early, I was much more inspired by the whole array of light bouncing off all the objects, especially the bridge of course. As I also worked on this painting in my studio, I took the liberty of inventing a more sophisticated monumental scene. If you look at the photogragh below, you will notice that the roof tops on the right are very boring. They probably most likely had this sort of look at one time. However modern day real estate speculators are not usually putting attention on cultural beauty, rather profit turnover. You might also notice just how important format has on visual representation of the scene. I opted for a panoramic type size, whereas the picture is more mechanically conventional. The fact is we see and are comfortable with the panoramic format, as it is truer to our nature.

Corn bridge by night, Leiden

Koornbrug 's nachts, Leiden
oil on canvas
18 x 24 cm
painted on location, (in the rain) - Thurs 25 Feb 2010


You might have to tilt your screen a little to have a good look at this one! I happened to find a dry spot under another brige that afforded me this spectacular view, at waters level. As I was feeling a little down, just had to get out and make a painting. Dispite the rain and the fact that it was already 7pm in the evening, I decided to head out to a favorite spot in Leiden, hoping to be cheered up, as I had so many fond memories of my recent painting experiences their. I've attached the painting I made in Nov 2007, from the balcony that is visible above the row of lit windows, directly above the rightside of the covered bridge(see above painting). Thus under the right side of the bridge, featured in the bottom painting, is a boardwalk, which allowed me to sit up and make this evening painting!

The Oude Mare Bridge, Leiden

Gezicht van de Oude Vest, Leiden
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Monday 6 July 2009

Back in Leiden, with my Italian/American friend Mariano Zucchi, who had a two day stop over en route to Croatia. Here I am revisiting a wonderfull picturesque location. This time the cupola plays a minor yet significant role in blogging off the scene and helps define the lighting situation.

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.

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.