Maison Bertaux

I sketched this pub in Feb 2017, but something wasn't working with it

I drew it out again, but with a little bit less of the pub 

first the blues and then the yellows, but that sunset sky is just too strong

the finished painting, brought alive by the colours on the people

The Maison Bertaux patisserie is in Greek Street, Soho. It is one of those places that cried out to me to be painted. I sketched it out a year ago, but did not feel right about the layout. On researching the patisserie (the oldest in London) and the pub next door, I began to find out more and more stories about the pub. The Coach and Horses Greek Street, I think I will revisit that one rather than try to put them in this painting, which is all about the pastries!

Upstairs above the patisserie is a gallery, there are many arty connections. Noel Fielding showed paintings here just before christmas. ; )

In the end I knocked the sky back. I wanted a glowing sky rather than blue, but found that my first attempt was far too gold and overpowered the building. I hope the pink and purple additions have made it a bit more subtle!
Maison Bertaux "People watching, patisserie and a pub (with a past) "

Jazzy jamming at The Paris House

plans in the sketch book

all drawn out and ready for colour

I fancied a really strong colour scheme this time 

Have a closer look at the jam session, in watercolour



This pub on the border of Brighton and Hove was crying out for me to paint it. I have always loved a tall thin building and this one, along with its French styling was summing up images of Vincent Van Gough and Toulouse Lautrec.
So all this was in mind when I drew it out.
The chequerboard floor inside the pub was too good to leave out, so it spills out onto the pavement outside with the light and music