Theatre Royal in the Rain, Newcastle Original Painting | Paintings of Newcastle’s Theatre Royal – Alan Reed
Theatre Royal in the Rain
It was fun painting this simple but moody watercolour of the Theatre Royal in the Rain.
I made the figures the main point of interest with the Theatre Royal adding architectural weight to the composition.
I’ve used a very limited palette of Raw Sienna and Lamp Black with just a touch of Cadmium Red for the post box to lift the painting from being drab.
Grey Street Newcastle
The dark ominous sky is reflected in the glistening pavement, enhanced by the figures reflections. I’ve probably painted Grey Street and the Theatre Royal in the Rain more than any other street scene. The truth is, I never tire of painting Grey Street. The Theatre Royal is a wonderful projection to the sweeping curve of Georgian architecture.
Grey Street has been described by the architectural critic Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as being the finest curved street in Europe. Despite being depicted on a dull, wet, winters day, I’ve wanted to create lots of life and movement. I’ve achieved this through the figures dashing through the harsh elements, huddled under their umbrellas.
Even in the rain this watercolour of Grey Street in the Rain still looks spectacular.
Birthday Card
I recently painted Grey Street as a HandMade Birthday Card for a work colleagues 50th birthday present which you can read about here.
The card was personalised by me adding the recipient of the card in to the composition coming out of Pret a Manger. She’s a regular visitor to this particular outlet. As soon as I knew she was popping out for lunch, I followed her and stood at the base of Grey’s Monument with my iPhone held up in front of my face. As she came out, she had no idea I was there. I was able to take several photographs that were suitable for me to work on.
“Theatre Royal in the Snow” is another popular Newcastle street scene. You can read about Alan Reed’s painting techniques here. The appeal lay partly in the monochromatic colours that were punctuated by the little girl wearing the red coat. She is one of my granddaughters. I’ve painted her braving the elements, holding her grandmother’s hand. It wasn’t the first time I’d captured this scene in watercolour. A few months earlier I painted a smaller A4 version as a Christmas card for the Theatre Royal in Newcastle.
