Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves Series, Noordwijk

Racing Clouds/Clashing Waves #1
oil/sand on canvas, 24 x 30cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012
SOLD

Not much action on the beach besides us hard core plein air painters, and kite surfers!

Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #2
oil/sand on canvas, 25 x 35 cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012


Sky taking on a rather imposing cloud formation, rain was just around the bend!

 

Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #5
oil/sand on canvas, 35 x 25 cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012
SOLD

  

This one was actually swallowed up by a crashing wave, pulled it just in time, and myself(up to my thighs) and some of my gear, totally drenched!

 Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #4
oil/sand on canvas, 35 x 25 cm
painted on location _ Fri 22 June 2012

SOLD,   private collection, Den Haag











This work features a burst of rain cushing down from that dark grey cloud. Within a few minutes that water was pouring over me, took the painting and myself under the protection of my Yellow Parasol! A windsurf kite in the distance, and another surfer closer to me, thinking it over, or at least getting a feel for the force of the waves!

Racing Clouds/Crashing Waves #3
oil/sand on canvas, 35 x 25 cm
painted on location - Fri 22 June 2012

SOLD  private collection - Noordwijk











Funky sky on this one! Was about to correct color, but thought, although unreal,..... it made for an interesting image. All these works and the 50 x 100 cm of my last posting all painted behind that yellow parasol (picture below)

me working on #5, in about 45 minutes the water has reached my position....the end of that parasol was near. (painter behind me is Hans Versfelt, Roos Schuring was set up next to him, but she was busy taking this picture!)

Windy Summer beach scene, Noordwijk

Strand gezicht met hoge wind, Noordwijk Aan Zee
oil on canvas
50 x 100 cm
painted on location (see picture above)  -  Fri 22 june 2012


The 1st of six paintings made on this very sunny yet extremely windy day at the Noordwijk painters festival. This was the start of the 5th day, I had already produced 17 paintings at this point, since the start of the festival on Monday evening 18th June. The next two postings, I´ll show the other works made this day. Rather intense circumstances to work under, with the wind force reaching almose 8.5! My popular yellow parasol, faithfully held together for more than 7hrs, until the sea finally gulfed it up at 18.45hrs. The waves coming up much high than expected, the pressure of the water ripped through the fabric with the slightest of effort.  Under such conditions, one must work efficiently and with the upmost attention at getting the paint on the canvas as quickely as possible. Resulting in fresh vibrant, rendering of the scene at hand.

Large Beach Scene, Noordwijk

 Strand gezicht, Noordwijk Aan Zee,
 oil on canvas, 50 X 100cm,
 painted on location  -  Tues 19.6. 2012

no longer exists, painted over!

One of the early paintings made on the Noordwijkschilderfestival, think it was the 3rd of 24 paintings made in 5 days. The weather was still rather pleasant. However on close observation, you can see evidence of a shifting weather pattern. Look at the stiffness of those 5 flags on the right. The clouds are actually moving rather quickley inland, this is shown by the upward movement of the clouds. The wind was picking up, and was bound to stay with us for the rest of the week!

The Hobby Tiger, (Catamaran) x 2, South Beach

De  Hobby Tiger, HKZV, Zuiderstrand, DH #1
oil on canvas
18 x 13 cm ,
painted on location  -  Thurs  7 June 2012
SOLD

De Hobby Tiger, HKZV, Zuiderstrand, DH #2
oil on canvas,
13 x 18 cm,
painted on location - Thurs 7 June 2012 SOLD

I had  my painting gear ready to go finish the Minerva ship painting, (my previous posting), however it was still too early to sit up, so I headed to one of my favourite locations. Was debating whether to make a horizontal or vertical shape canvas, so I resolved that decision by making both, on a small scale, with the idea, that I might make a larger version, after seeing the results. In the horizon one can see smoke coming from an enormous chimney, a part of the oil refineries, at the entrance to the Rotterdam Harbour. Your feedback would be appreciated, re format, horizontal or vertical?

The 3 mast gaff schooner, 'Minerva'

't 3 mast gaffelschoener 'De Minerva', Scheveningen
oil on linnen, 30 x 60 cm
Tues 5 & Thurs 7 July 2012    
SOLD

Built in Germany in 1935, this 49 meter work of true craftsmanship is proudly on display at the Inner Harbour Scheveningen, here in The Lowlands.  I have been contemplating painting this lovely three mast schooner ever since my eyes first made contact with it some years ago. As tomorrow is Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) here in Scheveningen, a festival to celebrate the new season of the harring fish, I finally set up my gear, and made this painting.  I will be showing this and a fine selection of about 15 sea scapes at an art market on a stall approximately 20 meters from were I made this painting!  Come and say hello if you  happen to be in the area.

Sky and Seascape studies, Noordwijk Aan Zee

Cloudy sky with seagulls,
oil on 3 wood panels,
15 x 30 cm
painted on location - Fri 18 may 2012      SOLD

Beach scene with Noordwijk Sailing Clubhouse
oil on 3 wood panels,
15 x 30 cm
painted on location - Fri 18 May 2012    SOLD

Made on the 1st morning that I woke up in the hotel De Baak, on the boulevard in Noordwijk, while I was guest artist at the Opera Aan Zee 2012 event, these two small format oils give one a fairly good representation of  typical cloudy Dutch skies. Low horizon line, bringing the viewer right up close to the scene painted. (Top work sold, bottom work still available)

Sea Mist, Noordwijk Aan Zee

     Father and Son with pet 'Jackie', oil on canvas, 24 x 30cm, painted on location, Monday 28 May 2012,  
SOLD

Family outing on a misty beach, oil on canvas, 25 x 35cm, painted on location, Monday 28 May 2012,
SOLD

Here you have 2 scenes of the very same beach from my last posting, what a difference! As Constable once said the sky governs everything, when it comes to painting plein air. The atmospheric conditions were such that visibility was 'nada'. There was so much moisture in the air that my sight glasses kept getting damp to the point were i couldn't see through them! I was all set up and decided to paint the scene at hand, regardless. Must admit, wish this would happen more often, as a delicate mood is created, making very fine subject matter to paint.

detail of  Father and Son with 'Jackie'

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

 

Morning Mist, Noordwijk Aan Zee beach scene

Het begin van een mooie dag, strand Noordwijk Aan Zee #1-2012
oil on canvas, 20 x 50cm
painted on location - Sunday 20 May 2012
SOLD

Finding myself staying at hotel, de Baak, not far away from Huis ter Duin, thus right on the boulevard, I took the opportunity to go paint on the beach during my Artist in Residency stay at Opera Aan Zee 2012. A sudden burst of heat has created this hazy scenario, which of course cleared up later on that day.

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.

Come on child, let's go now....

Schiet op kind,
oil on canvas
30 x 40 cm
painted on location - Wijk Aan Zee, Mon 8 May2012
SOLD

The mother of this child seems quite concerned to relocate to some other location. The scene seems non threatening, but then again we don't see what is not included on the surface of this canvas. Most likely, the winds have picked up, and a storm is brewing up somewhere in the distance, as they both seem to be observing something, to the right.  But then again maybe the mother just wants to get the childs attention. I have used the motive of a previous posting, however with many changes.

Beach Pavilion 'De Kust', Wijk Aan Zee,NH

Strandpaviljoen De KUSt, met s'avonds licht,
oil on wooden panel
35 x 22cm  -  14" x 8.5"
painted on location -  Sat 12 May 2012

SOLD

The Netherlands flag, proudly displayed, gives you some indication of the weather these days here in The Lowlands.  The evening Sun casts a warm glow and gives a soft delicate look to the beach entrance of this cafe along the coast here in Wijk Aan Zee. I was being hosted by the owners of this establishment in a beach house just to the right of this cafe. The mixture of warm and cool colours create harmony and balance while doing great service to define the space in this composition.

Oil study Wijk aan Zee

Beach houses at Wijk Aan Zee
oil on wooden panel
10 x 15cm
painted on location -  Sunday 6 May 2012 SOLD

Just a quick study of the situation that afternoon.  Clouds racing by at speeds that made it impossible to work any larger than this. I don't believe in taking pictures,  and then working from them. You will most likely loose the essence of the subject at hand. And besides, after all is said and done, I am a painter not a photographer.

Wijk Aan Zee, Beach scene #1-2012

Strandgezicht WAZ, NH, met twee kinderen
oil on canvas
24 x 30cm  -  6.5" x 12"
paintd on location  -  Sunday 6 May 2012
SOLD

Am busy these days painting in Wijk Aan Zee, (just north of Haarlem), during the art manifesation, Ezels En Kwasten 2012. Yesterday, the sky finally broke open after many days of overcast dismal weather,  these lovely thick clouds were being blown in from the land, affording me the oppurtunity to represent them on this piece of linen. Characteristic of this beach are the many beach houses privately owned, lined up against these spectacular high dunes. The next few postings will be of paintings from this location.

Big Band Jazz in De Fuut, South Beach, DH

Jazz en, Strandpavilijoen De Fuut, Zuiderstrand, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 24 x 30cm
painted on location - Sunday 29 Apirl 2012
SOLD

A female singer, adds a spark of colour to this Big Band ensemble all dressed in black. The drummer keeping the beat, while the director (with his back to us) pulls it all together,...what a scene to be able to paint! A first for il pittore, to actually make a painting of the interior of a beach cafe! Every Sunday Leo, owner of this establishment, brings Live Jazz music for the ardent jazz fan. Just as colourful inside as it is on the outside, a pleasure and indeed a gift  for me to be able to work in and around this beach cafe.

Beach Entrance # 10, South Beach, The Hague

 

Zuiiderstrand Den Haag, Aanslag #10 

oil on canvas

60 x 30 cm

painted on location  -  Wed. 25 April 2012 SOLD

Painted almost one week ago, I'm now posting this work which depicts the entrance I use for almost all of my seascape paintings. To the left is the Catamaran clubhouse HKZV, then follows beach cafe/restaurant De Fuut. To the right one is afforded the view of Scheveningen, to the left, Kijkduin and Hoek van Holland. As one can see by looking closely at this canvas, it was a rather windy day, as sand covers the whole area of the canvas. Being the middle of the week and still rather early in the morning, not much traffic walking down that paved path, however was glad with the two bicycles locked up to the wooden fence, bringing this scene unmistakeably to The Lowlands     

                 

Catamaran ready to sail, South Beach, DH

Catamaran klaar om te zeilen, Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas
20 x 40 cm
painted on location - Sat 15 May 2010`SOLD

I am re-posting this small format panoramic scene of our magnificent beach here in The Hague. This painting had a rather large object in the middle (Wind surf kite) which has been removed. Plus, I freshened up the sand, and painted colors on the three people near the cat.  Views like this already have an archival importance, as the beach has been widened twice the amount that is visible in this painting. Sailor of this vessel having a coffee on the terrace of the clubhouse, while waiting for the wind to pick up.

Windy Seascape #5/sky opening up

oil on canvas board,
12 x 18cm 
painted on location  -  Monday  16 April 2012  SOLD

The biggest format of this series, And featuring the most blue sky from them all, thus the title. Was really very fine to make this series, and will do it more often.

Windy Seascape study #4/with rain

oil on wooden panel
10 x 15cm  -  4" x  6"  
painted on location  -  Monday  16 April 2012 SOLD


The rain was not that threatening as it would just drift by now and then. Lasting sometimes only half a minute or even less. Most painters find it difficult to paint clouds. Fact is they are shifting about and reshaping themselves constantly, thus I would recommend they tackle the situation on a small format, work quickly with one brush and have the colors on your palette ready.

Windy Seascape #3/ effects of light

Winderige zeegezicht studie # 3  
oil on wooden panel
10 x 15 cm
painted on location  -  Mon 16 April 2012 SOLD


Although this is titled as #3, in fact they all should have the same number as they were made simultaneously!  There are few imperfections,..... for example the horizon line is always straighter than the way it has been painted. But then again these are studies, and thus retain the quality of a study. I was aiming at getting the light situation correct. If I would go back into the painting, to make corrections, it would loose its quality of freshness. I would risk making this very lively situation appear flat and stale.  And remember a few times I had to keep one hand on the easel, to prevent it from getting airborne!

Windy Seascape study #2/crashing waves

Winderige zeegezicht studie # 2 / brekende golven
oil on masonite
11 x 14 cm
painted on location - Mon, 16 April 2012 SOLD


Similar to previous posting, however on close observation you can see many differences. Composition the same, but here you have addition of tree tops of the high dunes. In these conditions the atmosphere is changing by the second, never mind by the minute! I think I'll do this more often, work simultaneously on more than one canvas. Location of this series is Westduinpark, The Hague, entrance to beach from De Savornin Lohmanlaan.

Windy Seascape with 3 Seagulls

Gezicht op de Noord Zee, kleine studi #1
oil on masonite
11 x 14 cm
painted on location - Mon, 16 April 2012, SOLD

Yesterday on location, worked on 5 paintings simutaneously. Mind you all 5 small format. As the wind was way too strong to have any decent size canvas on my easel. I opted for this solution, and glad I did. At the end of the session ended up with 5 smart oil studies of windy, cloudy, seascapes, with warm colors on the sea. In the distance, light bounces off a ship heading due North.

South Beach, The Hague, #5-2012

Gezicht op Strandpavijlion De Fuute en HKZV, 's avond
oil on canvas
60 x 80cm - (24" x 31")
painted on location on a very windy/cold/sunny evening - Sat. 14 April 2012  SOLD 

Beyond any doubt, one of the most colourful locations on the whole of Netherlands coastline...... Scenes like this are becoming a think of the past, with all these trendy 'lounge type' cafes going up on the beaches, here in The Lowlands. Evening Sunlight casts a warm glow over this intimate beach scene. Clouds racing by, as the wind, as usual is quite strong(check out the flags). Getting myself as low as possible, to protect my gear from flying away, was once again on my knees painting this view. This painting will be showing in the cafe, De Fuute, until it is picked up by an art lover and loyal patron of that location.

Home Made Markt Scene, The Hague,

Gezicht op de Home Made Markt, te Den Haagoil on MDF
13 x 11 cm - (5.5" x 4.5")
painted on location - Sun 1 April 2012 SOLD 

A lovely atmosphere was created this day because of this special market happening on this rather handsome neighbourhood here in The Hague. A very sketchy oil painting, small format, alla prima, gives a decent impression of the situation.

South Beach, The Hague, #4-2012 with kite surfers

Gezicht op Scheveningens peir vanaf Zuiderstrand
oil on canvas
60 x 80 cm - (24 x 32 inches)
painted on location - Fri 6 April 2012
SOLD

Here you have the latest painting made on the beach. Just in time before the cold front set in, and brought with it some nasty weather. One could see it arriving, that wall of clouds just above the horizon line. It actually has warmer tints of purple grey, which have been too difficult for me to capture on this digital representation, but not too difficult to mix on my palet and get it right on the canvas! The season is just getting started at the Catamaran Sail Club, the two cats piled up on each other awaiting there proper spot on the grill. Next, the beach house 'Staat', followed by the red lighthouse of Scheveningen(top only visible), to the right you see the top of the tallest building at this popular beach resort, crowned with a golden ball, most likely representing the Sun. Some more details, but what caught my interest was those two kite surfer students, taking lessons of that most popular sport, here on the windy North Sea Beach.

Calm and misty view/North Sea

Gentle breaking waves with child and dog
oil on canvas, 20 x 140cm
painted on location - Wed 28 March 2012
SOLD

A format that alot of you have seen me work on before, and I must say it works very well with capturing the since of vastness and space when one stands before the Sea or any large body of water. A child playing with her pet dog, three sailboats, the one closest actually showing the sailors on board and a yellow bouy, a landmark which brings this scene to a specific location. The atmospheric conditions were such that the scene at times took on an abstract quality, without the horizon line visible, the sky and water almost idintical in hues, seemed as if the sailboats were just floating in mid air, very strange indeed. Please click on the images to have a better look.

Beach Scene with mother and daughter

Strand gezicht met moder en kind
oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
painted on location Sun 25 March 2012

SOLD

More than once I have been told that my people, on the beach, look like puppets! The reason for that is this, usually I paint very wide open space beach scenes, thus the persons have to be tiny in order to stay in proportion with the composition. However, once in a while I do paint close ups of people on the beach, as in this case. It is time to go, and the child seems a little hesitant(besluiteloos), thus her Mom extends her hand as a gesture to call it a day. You will notice the long shadows they cast, indicating that the Sun is making its decent, and being Spring the air starts to get rather cool. Another day of fun and aventure ends for this child, and Life is sweet for her thanks to Mother Natures gift of a lovely day here in The Lowlands.

View of South Beach, The Hague #3-2012

Lente gezicht op Zuiderstrand, Den Haag
oil on canvas, 30 x 90 cm
painted on location - Sat 24 March 2012
SOLD

Hello Everybody, Every once in a while I get the urge to repaint or paint over an existing painting, as the case in this posting. Tired of the sky and water dominated by those boring Benelux greys on the original version, I decided to freshen up this scene of South Beach, The Hague.... Not by photoshop or some other software, but by il pittores painterly ability and simply taking the canvas to the same spot were the original painting was made and then giving it another go!

Wassenaarseslag/ Hazy spring day

Strand met mist aan Zee
oil on canvas
40 x 50cm
painted on location - Thurs 22 March 2012
donated for charity fund raiser

A little off my beat and track, but always a pleasure to paint at this location. Not yet fully operative, this beach house cafe has set op some windbreakers to accomodate the sunbathers. In the distance you can vaguely see the hotels on the boulevard at Noordwijk Aan Zee. BTW - those are not black pirate flags you see on those masts, but rather the colors and symbol of one of Hollands finest brews, Hertog Jan. 

Sailing in the Spring Mist

View from South Beach, Den Haag
oil on wood panel
10 x 15cm
painted on location - Sun 25 March 2012

SOLD

Spring is in the air, and one can literally see it in this little oil study made the other day. I had just finished a larger canvas, and was inspired by the mystical look of the sailboats in the distance. Due to the mild heat wave we are experiencing here in The Lowlands, and the welcomed burst of sunlight, views of the sea are rather hazy but yet pleasurable to render on the canvas.

South Beach, The Hague, #2-2012

Childern with a white dog
oil on canvas
40 x 50cm - 16" x 20"
painted on location - Tues 20 March 2012
SOLD

Weather is emproving by the hour, here in Holland. Life on the beach, is picking up. Activity gives me subject matter to paint. However, always like to bring you the big picture, lots of sky, and plenty of space to drift your imagination into.

Market Scene, Grote Markt , Nijmgen

Kerkboog naar Sint Stevenskerk
oil on wood panel
12 x 24 cm - (5" x 9")
painted on location - Mon 19 March 2012  SOLD 

If those silly pilots in WWII, didn't bomb the hell out of Nijmegen, (by mistake), I'm sure it would have been right up there with Amsterdam, as far as aesthetic beauty is concerned! And I'm almost positive the Romans had something to do with that lovely layout of this city, set on a hillside, overlooking one of Holland's busiest rivers. I will be painting every now and then in this delightful city, as my sweetheart lives in the area.

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.

The Yellow Bridge

Yellow bridge, Valkenburg, Holland
oil on wooden panel
10 x 15cm
painted on location - Sun 11 March 2012

 Donated  (€ 100)

A most picturesque village in Limburg located just minutes away from Maastricht. For those of you who are familiar with the geography of Limburg, you know why that bridge is yellow. For the rest of us, including me, found out that that colored stone has been mined out of the ground in and around the village of Valkenburg since the a very long time ago.

Girl smsing in Cafe De Overkant

Aan het smsen, Cafe De Overkant, Den Haag
pastel/choarcol on rough surface pastel paper
24 x 30 cm - 10" x 12"
made on location - Fri 2 March 2012

SOLD

Have been invited to exhibit art works at this location, thus I took it upon myself to make a series of 15 sketches/drawings of interior scenes of same location. I will not post all 15 works but just to announce the exhibiton here you have a look at one of them.

Address : Stationweg 32, aan het Huygenspark, near Station HS, vanaf 14 Maart.

How many people do you see in this scene? If you said 4, then you are correct!

Winter Seascape #2- 2012

Sailing the North Sea
oil on canvas
40 x 50cm - (16"x20")
painted on location - Sun 4 March 2012

painted over - no longer exists

This work is characterized by simplicity, space, and air, three qualities we can all use a little more of, don't you agree? Especially for us urban dwellers, here in The Lowlands. The mist has just lifted, the Sun is trying hard to spread its nuturing light on this part of the planet, however the thick wall of clouds is keeping it at bay! The fresh breeze helps these sialors manouver their vessels in the direction of the harbour, they have just taken part in a fun regata.