Windmills in Holland

[Grapes]

Memories from Kinderdijk, Holland. This was painted eight yrs ago. I'm not sure if I posted this before but it was quite an experience to paint in this location. Tricky thing is that the weather changes so fast there that once you have decided to paint one particular light situation the next 5 min you need to change it completely. Clouds travel by so fast. The place was enjoyable to stay and paint. Not at all that many ppl as it was spring. I gather summer is busy.
It's not even finished yet but I have fixed it once or twice after these photos but still not happy with any of the efforts.

"Three Windmills in Kinderdijk", oil on canvas, 30x40 cm.

The weather changed completely from the first photo to the next stage:

Set up in a lager view. On the ground there is one small board already painted before this one. i did altogether 3 paintings that day.

In the last photograph you can see the fourth mill which is kind of curios looking .. maybe I should add it in the distance and make it "Four Windmills ..."

 

[Jade]

Good job on a tricky painting Grapes. It's interesting to see "behind the scenes" of what you do. I like the 4 windmills idea.

 

[Grapes]

Thanks, Jade.
I think I will add the fourth 'curious one' to the distance so that it looks very far away. I need to work more on the front grass. Maybe by using cuttlefish bone because there's too heavy paint application now in the front. Lots of work to be done still on this one. The canvas is good quality so it allows me to paint more.

 

[Jade]

I haven't painted since school, Grapes so it's interesting to hear your processes. I think the 4th windmill will work well.
I think I'd like to paint one day (lovely hubby is tidy and I'm messy so I think we might have to find a sealed room or shed for me! )
I'm glad you can keep experimenting. You're doing a good job. It makes me understand the challenges of Plein air some more...

 

[Donna T]

You did a great job with a very challenging scene, Grapes. That moving sky must have been so difficult to do! I like just the three windmills because I think odd numbers work best but that's up to you, of course. The three you have painted certainly tell the story about where you were that day.

 

[Joy]

I don't know anything about oil painting, but with the composition, I think a fourth one would work. Only if (as you stated) painted it very faintly. The skies look great; I can know how much clouds can change on a windy day.

I was in the Netherlands last month. We could have taken a water shuttle to see Kinderdijk, but were docked in Rotterdam and were able to walk and see so much of that spectacular city.

 

[snoball]

I like this and you have a very nice sky on it.

 

[Grapes]

Sno, thank you!

 

[Grapes]

... I think a fourth one would work. Only if (as you stated) painted it very faintly.

Your right, I tend to count odd numbers in compositions but lately been also breaking the "rules". If very faintly, it (the fourth one) could work. I will try.
I remember you mentioned that you were not able to go to Kinderdijk but the place is worth of a visit. Me on the other hand didn't go to Rotterdam because I thought there's nothing to see/experience.

 

[Grapes]

Donna, thanks! Pleinair's are so good memories of certain places.

 

[Grapes]

Jade, I hope you get to paint one day soon! It's fun! Thanks for your comment!
My house is pretty messy, too and today hubby just mentioned 'we'd need a bigger place to live'. How to get a bigger place, sigh!

 

[Jade]

Jade, I hope you get to paint one day soon! It's fun! Thanks for your comment!
My house is pretty messy, too and today hubby just mentioned 'we'd need a bigger place to live'. How to get a bigger place, sigh!

It looks fun! Ours is tidy mainly due to hubby! I think it would filled with books and cats if it was me haha. Ooh good luck if you decide to move. We need to at some point too but it feels daunting!

 

[Joy]

I remember you mentioned that you were not able to go to Kinderdijk but the place is worth of a visit. Me on the other hand didn't go to Rotterdam because I thought there's nothing to see/experience.

Oh, Rotterdam was fascinating! Lots of harbor scenes, the Erasmus bridge (where we we docked), the Cube Houses, lovely parks and Markt Hall, a fabulous work of art that just blew me away. I don't want to hijack your thread by posting photos here. Possibly I'll start another thread.

My house is pretty messy, too and today hubby just mentioned 'we'd need a bigger place to live'. How to get a bigger place, sigh!

We're both quite tidy and orderly, but it just always seems like there is something that needs attention. Our house is fairly large, and one expands to fill the space. Of course, in the US, larger homes are the norm compared to Europe. Many downsize when they retire, but we really like our home and just put a lot of work into it. Our smallest bedroom is for my studio and a computer desk. Plus our basement has a full basic gym and we also have an aerobics room with a treadmill, bike and TV. Going to a public gym would be a pain.

 

[PaintBoss]

Great work on that Grapes. You are so right about how tricky it is when the lights changing all day. You have to pick a direction of the light and stick to it. I like the idea of a faint forth windmill. So many wonderful places to see in the world!
I love seeing descriptions and pictures of anywhere people have travelled to now more than ever, because I am a shut in. 8 yrs now. I always wanted to travel more. I took a lot of art history and architecture in school and history. So please start threads showing all your travels!