“Morning on the Thames”

“Morning on the Thames”, by Robert Leedy, 2003, watercolor on paper, 11 x 14.125 in., Collection of the Artist
“Morning on the Thames”,
by Robert Leedy, 2003,
watercolor on paper,
11 x 14.125 in.,
Collection of the Artist

I traveled with Vicky to London on a business trip she had while we were living in Paris. We took the Eurostar which is the train that travels under the English Channel, or the “Chunnel”, as the connecting tunnel is called. With a good book it is a quick and enjoyable trip. We decided to stay over a long weekend so we could take in some museums and gallery shows.

Early Saturday morning, I snuck out of our hotel room with my painting gear in tow and went down to the banks of Thames to search for subject matter. The sun was just rising and all of London was still asleep except for the runners out for their morning exercise. I found the above spot and painted “Morning on the Thames”.

What struck me first was the intense, orange-pink morning light hitting the Houses of Parliament on the opposite banks. I also liked the darks and shadows of the boathouse and water patterns in the foreground of the painting.

As I painted, a man walked up and quietly watched me. I turned around to talk to him and saw a block of Arches watercolor paper and a Winsor-Newton portable paint box in his hands. He was a watercolorist from Australia. We discussed painting locations, technique, and materials. I think watercolorists worldwide must share a special camaraderie…

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Published:
June 1, 2003 / 9:25 pm
Category:
Art, Artists, Leedy Artwork, London, Painters, Painting, Plein Air Painting, Travel, Watercolor, Watercolour
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