Essentials Cafe

After many visits to Clumber Park, finally the weather today gave me really dark grey stormy clouds, which is far better than a burnt out white sky for this subject, I didn't like the torrential rain much, but I love grey skies for an architectural subject sometimes, I have given up waiting for a blue sky this summer. Sketch followed by detailed watercolour, then to break up the monotony of the sky I used random strokes/pressure modulation to give some painterly texture to the sky.

I do have to agree with you Tolouse the sky really does this subject justice.  Such a lovely clock.  Great painting, you always do these architecture paintings justice.

Love the subtle colors and tones.  This was worth the effort.

I wish I was responsible for the subtle colour and tones Ron, but sadly it was the current weather conditions, it looks like summer has been cancelled this year. However I do sometimes prefer to shoot in dull weather anyway, to bring the subject matter into line with a contrast ratio that both film or digital can handle, and of course the soft shadows can be a bonus.