Welcome to Polly's Blog

Welcome to Polly's Blog
Watercolour, humour, this and that

Friday 17 May 2013

LONDON'S WEST END

This is the third time I have attempted a night scene in watercolour.  I'm finding it really, really, difficult. Getting colours dark enough yet not muddy is really hard in watercolour and I feel this subject would be better in oils or pastels.  But old intrepid here will not give up.  This is my best night scene so far.  Wonder if anyone else has tried this subject,  I haven't seen any on blogs. Oh, and by the way I wasn't drunk when I painted this, the paper was cockled and that is why the lines are crooked, so there!
I've had three days cutting back on my internet use, and it has been nice to have a life! Reading, lunching out, gardening etc.  Can I last any longer without my internet friends? Now that is the question.

20 comments:

  1. Dear Polly,lovely watercolors,so vivid and luminous! I have not painted the night, but often faced the problem of how to get one dark velvety for flowers garden background, almost black and not a mud .... the REAL challenge for every watercolorist!

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    1. Yes it is very hard. Have a lovely weekend Rita.

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  2. I like the lamplight & bus lights, they make it feel as if it's just getting dark!

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    1. I keep experimenting trying to get a dark night. Keeps me out of mischief!

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  3. Beautiful attempt. The rendering of the night is well done !

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    1. Thank you Lydie. I'm getting better at a night scene but it is so difficult

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  4. You have done a great job on a very difficult theme, I have not tried a night scene as I know it will give me trouble LOL

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    1. Thank you. I seem to like trouble and trying to beat it

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  5. Beautiful fusions of colors and beautifully loosely painted, you did an amazing job. It sure isn't easy to paint a night scene, but you did it very well !

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    1. Thanks for those kind words. Will try again some time.

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  6. Not sure I could do any better in Oils. I feel the night here. It could be a bit of a rainy night scene too.

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    1. Oh thanks! Glad you can see it's a damp night. The show was good too Top Hat.

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  7. I think it is lovely! Looks great with the red lights floating down the street. :)

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    1. Thank you. Will try another night time painting one day. Have a lovely weekend

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  8. Your internet friends cannot last without you! I know how important it is to control your internet use, but don't cut down on the time you spend commenting on my blog, I love your comments and your sense of humor. I think you've done a great job with this night painting. The only thing I can think of for you to try is to use a very dark blue mixed with a bit of burnt sienna for the darkness, it would be an experiment but it might work....you inspire me to take on some painting challenges.

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    1. Thanks for that Barbara. Will remember for the next time I try a night scene, written in my little art memory book! Glad you enjoy my comments on your blog, and I will not forsake you!! For too long I played safe with my art but since starting to blog and go on facebook, I have found such inspiration and have so many ideas in my head, I will need to live to be 150 to master it! Better get jogging and eating well:)

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  9. Wow, Polly, what a wonderful painting of a night scene of all things! It turned out beautifully, the perfect mood.

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    1. Thanks Sherry. It was very experimental. Will try again sometime and won't let the paper cockle!

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  10. Wow, Polly, what a wonderful painting of a night scene of all things! It turned out beautifully, the perfect mood.

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  11. Hi Polly:) I really love this night scene, and I can see it is a night scene! Beautifully done and I'm very impressed you didn't give up on this one. I love the sky, it's wonderful dramatic.
    My eyes keep attracted to the back lights of the bus and their reflections. So beautiful!
    Isn't it strange we have to shut down our internet to have a life again? :):) Hugs!

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