The ROI had their annual paint day/picnic at Strand on the Green in London yesterday (Monday) and it was really nice to meet up with members/friends in the sunshine and give the easels a bit of a workout. I’ve never been to Strand on the Green but have seen it painted masterfully by a number of artists I admire so the challenge was on! Actually, for my first sortie I headed up onto the bridge and managed to catch a bit of sparkle from the overhead sun before it quickly moved round to the right. Inevitably, the boat moved about two thirds the way through but I sensed they were planning to move so actually started the boat early on.
‘Towards Oliver’s Island from Kew Bridge’, oil on board 10x13in
Looks like there’s some debris stuck in the paint….should come off when it’s dry! (you can click the image for a larger version). I was in the full glare of the sun and it was very noisy with all the traffic streaming across the bridge behind me. Enjoyed it though and I think the painting captures the warmth of the day.
I wasn’t quite so inspired by the light for my second effort but I thought I’d have a go anyway at Oliver’s island with the receding tide. It was too hot to hunt around looking for another pitch! By this time the sun was popping in and out which made it a bit trickier. Those two fir trees sticking up out of the island are an odd but distinctive feature. Notice the students on a school field trip who gathered on the left to bring a nice little touch of interest and detail.
‘Oliver’s Island, low tide’ – 8x16in, oil on board
To round off the day a few of us gathered for a well earned brew in the nearby cafe :)
Tony Merrick and Nicholas relaxing after some painting action
Nice work David. Looks like you had a great day. Strand on the Green is on of my favourite spots to paint the Thames.
Wonderful! I really like them! The first one is a knockout!!! The light there is just terrific!
Looks like you had a great day. The paintings turned out very well as always. You were really smart to get the boat in fast. How many artists participated in all? I recognize several from their blogs and your other posts. No Valerie at this outing?
Thanks Adebanji! Yeah, I got lucky with the light from the bridge. Not so peaceful up there with all the traffic streaming past but it's often the case….the subject looks calm and tranquil but you're actually surrounded by mayhem!
Thanks Douglas. Yes indeed, anything likely to move has to be got down first and I was getting vibes that the boat was preparing to depart. It would've been rather annoying if I'd painted the other elements and was then left with a gaping hole to fill on the canvas. The sparkly light on the water moved fast too and within about 20 mins it had completely gone
Cheers Roy. Where do you tend to pitch up round there? Oliver's island didn't look so interesting in the morning light but as the day went on it got better and better. I'd imagine in the evening light it's probably at its best.
Cracking good paintings David – love the sparkle on the first one, captured very economically – wish I could do it that fast myself! Well done.
I usually paint at the other end of Strand on the Green, near the rail bridge. The light is better there in the morning and it's good at the Kew Bridge end in the evening.
Thanks Peter. Yes, economy was definitely needed as the scene changed so quickly. It's a good spot up there on the bridge when the sun is out around late morning.
I guess at the other end you get the light shining onto Oilver's Island in the morning light. From the other end it's all contra jour and virtually colourless. You've clearly done your homework on that spot :)