Roman Architecture
For over a year now I have been working on a number of painting commissions for an overseas client. He has a passion for Roman history and paintings depicting Roman architecture. To paint these subjects with the kind of insight and integrity that they deserve, I make sure that I gather sufficient original reference. I do this by going on location to the exact places that have been requested.
Considerable time is spent surveying the subject from different angles. I also go at different times of day to get the best composition and lighting. For this particular view of the Roman Forum I awoke when it was still dark. I walked briskly from our hotel room along the deserted streets of Rome to capture the first rays of sunlight striking the ancient columns of the Temple of Saturn. If you are visiting any busy city, it’s well worth the effort to get up early before the rest of the tourists take to the streets.
I wasted no time in whipping out my leather bound sketchbook to do a rapid watercolour study. This was to get a feeling of the mood, light and general atmosphere of the Roman Forum.
Painting Early Morning
After taking several photographs from my first view point of the Roman Forum, I then made my way to another vantage point to tackle another possible painting. By then however, the sun had risen considerably higher so the lighting was not as interesting. I decided to return again the following morning. Fortunately I’m used to getting up early, so another visit was very much a pleasure than a chore. In the end, it was the second painting which the client was delighted with. This has been added to his growing collection of Alan Reed original paintings.
I’m pleased to say that my original painting of the Roman Forum titled First Light has been published as a limited edition print available online and from my Studio & Gallery in Ponteland, Northumberland. The original watercolour is also currently on view as well.