From the Lake District to the streets of London....

As a complete contrast to the last few posts, which have all come from the Lake District, the next few oil paintings are for an exhibition in Feb 'The Urban Scene'.

Detail from "Warm Summer Afternoon", New Row, London.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2013 - #AB 021401

Having done the usual handing-in of paintings at the Mall Galleries, it's then a case of going and exploring the city of London for subjects. Trips that in the past have taken me to all over, some fruitful while others not so, even having done some research before hand.

I enjoy being alongside the River Thames, the many canals, indoor and outdoor markets or street views, like the above all are possible starting points and in the end it's the light that makes the subject for me. Software (apps etc) that shows the precise angle of the sun, for any day or time helps although over time you also build up the knowledge of which streets are better at certain times of the day.

For the above, the warm late summer afternoon sunlight added the much needed contrast and being a busy afternoon a constant stream of people passed by, not always that easy to gather the require information.

Detail from "Before Theatre", London.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2013 - #AB 021403

The 'meal before theatre' is advertised by many of the food establishments in the area. The establishment on the left couldn't get any closer with the Noel Coward Theatre to the right and in the background (behind the man in the white trousers) is the Wyndham's Theatre.

Again it was the light that attracted me in the first instance to this subject, this time in late spring, thankfully less people and most were less mobile than the first painting