Two more oil paintings for the 'urban scene' exhibition starting next week at Lincoln Joyce Fine art

Detail from "Flower Stall", Nottingham.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2013 - #AB 021402

I've walked past this flower stall, close to the market square in Nottingham, many times and thought it had 'possible' subject for painting... then on this day the light was spot on and thankfully not that busy with the people passing although the stall holder moved out of view.

It was a real joy painting the flowers, or bunches of flowers in their different coloured wrappers but as per normal the lighting was my main attraction as it cast a hazy warm light with wonderful shadows... although being early winter not all that warm.

Detail from "Paella for lunch", Covent Garden, London.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2013 - #AB 021404

Moving south and back down to London... this time looking down into the lower section of Covert Garden Market. The market has been the source of many a painting over the years, what's really nice is that it's constantly changing - always lots to see and do. A few years ago, it was just the pub (top of painting) with a the few small but unique shops, year or so of a man doing caricatures, then the paella stall started beside the stairs (to right) that lead down to the lower section, before moving to the current position.

Always interesting trying to capture scenes like this, thankfully some people were still long enough to sketch although I was very lucky with my timing as the people around the lower right hand table were told to move as they hadn't purchased any food - 'tables for customers only'.