Painting "Brighton Pavilion" and deckchairs on the beach

Brighton Pavilion

After a lot of thought and a moment of madness,  I have decided that my Sussex by the Sea series would not be complete without a painting of  Brighton Pavilion.

In 1815, George, the Prince Regent,  commissioned John Nash to transform his modest seaside villa into a wonderful oriental palace.
It has survived fires, storms and wartime damage but it's magnificent architecture remains just as wonderful today as when it was built.

It's going to be a challenge, but I think it deserves to be captured on canvas and because there is so much detail  it will be bigger than my previous paintings ....
                                               "Brighton Pavilion"
                              Acrylic on box canvas 32"x 16"x 1.5"
Everything was sketched out using a grid to make sure the perspective was correct, with so many different angles it would be easy to get confused ! I then painted in the sky and first layer of grass, this made the composition much clearer to work on.

Starting to paint Brighton pavilion

Starting from the center I have painted in some of the first layers of colour, as they dry I can then begin to build up the tones with thin washes of blues and purples.

Starting to paint in the sides of the building

Gradually I start to add the detail. Today it seemed like slow progress but it helps to photograph it step by step as I can clearly see how it's developing.

About a third of the way through painting Brighton Pavilion

I have been using very tiny brushes today and very thin washes which means that it doesn't really look like I have achieved much. but I'm happy with it so far and I havn't gone mad yet!

 Today I  have concentrated on the left hand side. There will eventually be shaded trees there so I needed to get the background in before I can start adding them. I have also nearly finished the rooftops, once they are dry I can start adding the highlights....
.....well it's now 3 days later and today I managed to complete the painting. It's not been as difficult as I had imagined and I'm happy with the blue and purple shading as it gives it a wonderful regal look :)
                                                    "Brighton Pavilion"
                                Acrylic on box canvas 32"x 16"x 1.5"

Painting of Brighton pavilion

 

Close up and wall views of "Brighton Pavilion"

                                                                             *****
Of course a trip the seaside just wouldn't be complete without colourful deckchairs, their canvas seats billowing in the warm sea breeze like the sails of seaward ships.....
                                                        "Summer Sea Breeze"
                                 Acrylic on stretched canvas 24"x 18"x 0.5"

Deckchair in the breeze at Seaford

 

                    Paintings for sale at https://www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/paula_oakley_2