Wednesday 4 February 2009

The Turner Prize

The subject of last week's class was a painting in the style of Turner. I had intended doing my version of his Wind, Steam and Rain using a more "modern" steam engine than Turner depicted. However, I realised he had done his picture in oils and I intended using watercolours. Having looked at Turner's picture I really did not think my talents were up to recreating such effects with watercolour so I looked for another subject. At the moment I am sorting out my photos to use for my other blog which is a travelogue about the places I have visited. I came across pictures of the Krak des Chevaliers in Syria and thought that would fit the bill. This is the result.



My first attempt was on a piece of Turner Blue paper twice this size and, as far as I was concerned, it was a disaster. I really do not like working large scale (10" x 14") so I cut the paper in half and did the Krak on one sheet and another more abstract sort of picture on the other as you see above.

Neither picture is finished. I have just put down some wet into wet washes. I am going to put some more layers of colour and a bit more detail into them....but you get the idea.

A few years ago, I did a couple of Turner style paintings, this time on ordinary white watercolour paper rather than the Turner Blue I used here and I have uploaded them as well.