I could not get a decent image of this painting. This photo doesn’t catch the colour which worked very well. When I first took a photo the mauves and blues I used seemed to fluoresce and these colours stood out unnaturally. This shot killed the fluorescence but at the expense of the colour. It now looks almost monotonal. though it has something about it, and I don’t have much else to display. Merry Christmas
I liked the multidirectional shadows and the ghostly appearance of the tree in this image. The lit up building on the right is a Greek taverna and I recall many years ago having a late night meal there and the only way to get some retsina was to have it from a cup and saucer which the owner took away and topped up for me as I ate. Only in Liverpool.
Other paintings of Liverpool can be found on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com
I was cycling into Hastings, my home town, and I saw this fishing boat coming along the coast with me. I arrived at the harbour before the boat. I had my painting gear, but decided that trying to get this fast moving scene down would be too much, so instead I took some pictures, as they hauled the boat up the beach with the winch. I then walked over to the other side of the beach and painted some fishermen setting up their boat and nets. At least they stayed almost in one spot for the duration.
It was a lovely morning and I cycled back to where my dad now lives feeling I had done a bit and it still wasn’t ten o’clock.
Other marine and boat paintings can be found on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com
Another in a short series of marine paintings. I liked the notion of the movement of water under the evening light which I wanted to combine with some nautical imagery. I was pleased with the effects of the near water, however the orange/yellow under painting desaturated the blues in the water and I had to take out some of the sky colour as it was too saturated in comparison and there was a fight between the water and the sky. There still is, but I hope that it isn’t now so attention grabbing.
There are other Marine paintings on the gallery page of my website: grahammcquadefineart.com
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I had a number of sketches in my book done as tonal work in various media. The first one is ink and wash. I use Quink ink which is permanent. As soon as its down it stays, so you need to think about mark making before you proceed. The next one is watercolour, with a drawing in pencil. I have loads of Paynes Gray which I now never use. So I thought this would be a suitable outlet. It doesn’t have the power of the ink, but you can correct and manipulate it more.
The third is charcoal which is a media I have never got to grips with despite many tries. The fourth is pastel on a slightly toned paper. The pastel allows me to use both back and white and I find the depth of tone you can achieve very exciting.
The final painting is back to the paynes grey watercolour.
All were done in under an hour in the life sessions I go to.
Other life work can ne found on the gallery page of my website grahammcquadefineart.com
Having had to give a workshop and demonstration and suffering a bad cold, this week has been a bit of a washout. Still, I need a couple of paintings for a show in Liverpool and fancied putting this one in along with the one of Hope Street I posted a few days ago. I love the lights and reflections on the old pub which is sometimes known as the big house. Despite having loads of work in different show sales have been poor. I only sold one over the weekend although I did sell one last week at another show. I have also got a show at my framers. However he is a bit out of the way so I am not holding my breath there. Its a hard life, this painting.
Other work is on my website grahammcquadefineart.com
The model had forgotten the appointment and arrived at the studio late and with wet hair. We had been amusing ourselves doing portraits as we waited. When she arrived I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject and was still thinking about portraiture. I started to think about doing some tonal work with the colour blue as the key, but picked up a stick of burnt sienna and launched into a fairly representational painting. With the blue paper surrounding and coming through the orange/sienna pastel work it gives the painting a satisfying punch.
Other figurative work can be found on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com
graham mcquade 