Sketch d30

In 2019 my publisher produced an exclusive ‘Collector’s Edition’ calendar for Guinness Storehouse called ‘2019 The Heart of Ireland’. I selected my favourite paintings of Ireland for this calendar, the heart of which was the painting I did of the Guinness Storehouse itself. This was a challenging painting to get right with the dual lines of perspective of the building itself and the corrugated iron bridge. I sketched out the drawing in pencil first and then started to paint in layers of watercolour to build up the intensity of colour. I get huge enjoyment out of painting old redbrick buildings which has become something of a signature. I paint each brick first in the various colours that I see, and when dry I carefully put a wash of water over the bricks to blend them together. I am always drawn to scarlet red which you will often see in my paintings and I had to paint the horse and vintage carriage, with its splash of red, patiently waiting for their next passengers.