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Theatre Royal, Newcastle

by on June 9, 2011 in Limited Edition Prints, North East Prints

Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Grey Street was described by the architectural critic and writer Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as being the finest curved street in Europe. With its gentle curve of fine Georgian buildings sweeping down to the Quayside, it’s difficult for one to argue against that claim. BBC radio 4 listeners added to its praise describing Grey Street as the best street in Britain. Its jewel in the crown is the Theatre Royal which protrudes out from the classically proportioned columns and windows running either side of the street.

I first noticed this view taken from Emerson Chambers back in 1992 when I was doing a series of scenes of Newcastle taken from elevated vantage points. I managed to spend a morning painting on location sitting at one of the windows which gave me a deeper appreciation of the overall scenario. Together with reference photographs I produced this particular watercolour which was reproduced as a limited edition print. It has proved to be very popular over the years and is one of my best selling prints of Newcastle.

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Emerson Chambers, Newcastle upon Tyne

by on May 20, 2011 in North East Prints

Emerson Chambers

Emerson Chambers

Emerson Chambers in Newcastle is one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in the North East. It was designed by Benjamin Simpson in 1903 and boasts commanding views of Grey’s Monument and Grey Street. Last year I decided to reproduce my original watercolour as a limited edition giclee print which can be viewed and purchased on alanreed.com

Also last year, I was invited by the book shop Waterstones to do a watercolour demonstration one Saturday morning. I decided to paint the view from the second floor window for those who attended the demonstration. The resulting painting titled “Grey Street, Saturday Morning” was one of the final 100 entries selected for the BBC 2 programme “Show me the Monet” presented by Chris Hollins.

The painting of Emerson Chambers is one of my more detailed watercolours as I felt I had to do justice to the fine Art Nouveau architecture that is a real distinctive to the building. Benjamin Simpson also designed the Half Moon Inn, in the Bigg Market, another scene I have painted which is also available as a limited edition print. That particular painting was stolen from an art gallery in 1992 and has never been recovered.

If you have one of my prints of Emerson Chambers, or indeed the Bigg Market, which evokes special memories which you would like to share, then please feel free to post a comment below.

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Show me the Monet

by on May 7, 2011 in Latest News

You may recall a blog post earlier in the year where I wrote about being filmed for a BBC Series titled “Show me the Monet“. Well, the 10 episode series begins on Monday 9th May on BBC 2 weekdays 5:15-6:00pm. I have been told that I am appearing in the program on Wednesday 18th with my painting of Grey Street viewed from Emerson Chambers.

“The series following the fortunes of amateur and professional artists from all over the United Kingdom, as they battle it out for a spot at the Show Me the Monet grand exhibition and sale at the Royal College of Art in London, where members of the public and the art world alike will bid to buy the best of the art work on show.

Contenders could stand to make some serious cash, but first they need the seal of approval from three of the art world’s toughest critics. To win a spot at the exhibition and the chance to sell and make some money from their work, hopeful artists must first face the Hanging Committee, where their hopes and dreams could be made or dashed.” Quote taken from the BBC Website.

The painting I submitted actually began with me doing a sketchbook study in watercolour on location as preparation for a painting demonstration I was doing at Waterstones the book shop one Saturday morning last September.

Using the sketch and some reference photographs, I drew the basic shape of the buildings and figures in readiness for the demonstration. I was able to work quite quickly on this particular painting and as you can see form the photograph, I managed to complete most of the building on the right hand side of the painting. I was able to finish off the rest of the scene in my studio.

The filming of my appearance on the program was an enjoyable but slightly disappointing experience for me as my work was not selected for the Royal College of Art, but I’d much rather try something and fail than not try at all. I’m looking forward to finding out what artwork the judges did pick in the end.

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