'Watercolour Demonstration Painting'

I was tutoring a painting course at Art Holidays in Dorset last week. This was one of my evening demo's, a rocky scene in Torquay. It's one of those spots you can paint many times and it'll always look different. I'll be back there again next week for another painting break.

"Britannia on Torquay Pavilion"

Another view of this fine building. Built from stone, with copper domes and iron work in the Art Nouveau style, this presents quite a challenge for the artist. As usual, I have simplified the details greatly. The strong sunlight creates crisp shadows with plenty of reflected light.
The Pavilion was opened in 1912 and contained a theatre. Unfortunately, much of the interior was destroyed in later years. Since then it has contained a skating rink and now shops. Unbelievably, it was proposed to be demolished in the early 70's but was listed in 1973.

"Bright Morning at Torquay Pavilion"

Earlier this year I got on the bus to Torquay, with my paints, easel & paper, and hopped off at the Pavilion. I managed to find a little shade under a tree and set up my easel. For anyone who's ever painted outdoors, you'll know just how fast the shadows move and the light changes. This seems to be even more apparent when you're painting architecture. As the sun catches widow sills and railings, the shadows move across the surface like a sundial. Still, I work pretty fast and managed to paint this in just over an hour. I began with an all-over wash with cobalt blue in the sky and raw sienna on the sunny areas of the building. Once dry, I quickly filled in shadows with cooler mixes of cobalt, light red and alizarin crimson.

"London Bridge, Torquay"

This unusual rock formation makes a great subject. This small painting was done earlier this year, during the summer. It was a beautiful day with hardly any movement on the water. There is a footpath, which takes you as far as this view. If you want to get any closer though, you have to take the unofficial route, which involves climbing over the wall and then scrambling down the rocks. I decided that, with my paints and easel, this would not be a wise decision. Besides, from a compositional angle, this was the best vantage point anyway.
It's one of those views that would make a good subject whatever the weather. I shall return.