The base of Grey’s Monument is one of my favourite places in Newcastle. This particular watercolour features bright, low winter sunlight casting long shadows from the surrounding buildings and passing figures. It’s a subject that I find immensely satisfying to paint. I love to create these almost spiritual scenes depicting people stepping out of dark shadows into dazzling sunlight. The figures have been painted loosely in an almost transient way to emphasise their moment. I deliberately painted the architecture in simplified forms with strong verticals to create weight and substance to their shapes. A pale wash of yellow ochre has been painted over the whole sheet of watercolour paper to provide an overall mood and atmosphere and feeling of light.
