Charles Bridge, Prague£230

14 x 10 inches
Watercolour on Bockingford

This painting is a study in deep shadows and blinding sunlight.I'm really pleased with the way I've captured the blazing sun peeping out from behind the tower, creating the dark shadows of the two main pedestrians, as a gorgeous contrast to the hazy people walking in the shadows on the right of the painting. I tried to use as few colours as possible to keep the uniformity of the painting, and decided that the delectable (can colours be delectable?) quinacridone gold was sufficient on its own for the late afternoon golden yellows, whilst french ultramarine and burnt sienna between them would create enough of the dull blues, greys and deep dark shadows for the rest of the painting.I also love the use of diagonals in the painting, formed by the deep shadows in the bottom of the painting, accentuating the main couple in the foreground, as well as slope of the roof on the tall tower pointing down towards the focal points of sun and the main couple in the foreground. The diagonal of shadow on the right leads the viewer’s eye back into the painting.