Southbank Commission

I have attached some photos of my latest painting commission. I was commissioned by 3 individuals to do a painting for a Senior Partner's retirement gift. His office over looks the Thames and the view is slightly obscured by the structural supports, the central balcony and hundreds of pigeons and their individual markings :) I therefore carried out a photographic study from the balcony and present them with a few compositions to chose from.

I am intrigued by perspective and how in reality architecture can shape and control the spacial awareness. Having studied Urban Design at Nottingham, I have some understanding of how the architects seek to achieve this via tight streets opening up into wide squares or the use of vistas to guide peoples movement/focal points etc.

Like the architect, the artist should also seeks to take you on a journey through his picture. I attempt to draw the viewers eye from the rail track to the left, where it should then be drawn through the centre of the painting by the outline of the Southbank to the main focal point of the painting (the London Eye), finally finishing on the dark silhouette of Westminster Bridge on the right hand side of the canvas.
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The finished piece took 50 hrs to complete. It was presented by the head of the firm to Mr Jones at his retirement presentation. It is always an amazing feeling to finish a project but to see it presented in this way was fantastic, it was like having a mini exhibition as people were chatting to me after the presentation about my artwork etc. My dream of holding my first exhibition is now even stronger !!