Urban Minimal Views of Derry City

Urban Minimal

Several years ago I embarked on what I called an “Urban Minimal“project; focusing on the streets of Brynmill, in Swansea, South wales, where we used to live. This work culminated in an exhibition in the Cardiff MadeinRoath festival (read more here).

My original “rules” for urban minimalism composition and painting

1. No cars
2. No People
3. Bright light. There must be shadows – at diagonals if possible.
4.  Simplified forms – there must be little detail in the final painting. I found this the most challenging “rule” to stick to.

Urban Minimal in Derry/Londonderry

I am developing this approach with Derry. I like to paint relatively ordinary street scenes without people. The sunlight and the colours give them drama and beauty. Each of the painting is really about light. I am still attempting to simplify forms but this is something I am always failing at.

On the plus side, I think that my colours have become much softer and more subtle. I think this is partly a response to the northern light which is bluer and less golden than that in Swansea. Its is also because I have got better at achieving naturalistic colours. My confidence has also improved. In the past I chose brigher colours to make a painting more exciting.

I have slowly come to the realisation that such excitment is like hidden sugar in my food. Yes, its initially appealling but it can give you a bit of a headache!

I have enjoyed exploring the streets of Derry. I feel I know the place a bit better for painting them.

Its hard to find a car-free Queen Street but early on a Sunday morning it is possible.

Eagle-eyed readers will spot a car in the mid-distance. I thought I’d see whether a car would negatively disturpt the composition. I don’t think it did.

Some of my earlier paintings of Derry.