PAINTINGS
PAINTINGS
duncanreynolds.co.uk
DUNCAN REYNOLDS GALLERY
THAMES PATH
The THAMES PATH follows the greatest river in England for 184 miles from its source in the Cotswold hills to the sea. Passing through peaceful water meadows, unspoilt rural villages, historical towns and cities, and finally through the heart of London to end at the Thames Barrier in Greenwich.
The Thames Path's entire length can be walked, and a few parts can be cycled. Some parts of the trail, particularly west of Oxford, are subject to flooding during the winter. The river is also tidal downstream from Teddington Lock and parts of the path may be under water if there is a particularly high tide. Most of the Thames Path uses the river towpath. Historically, towpath traffic crossed the river using many ferries, but crossings in these places do not all exist now and some diversion from the towpath is necessary.
My plan for the autumn/winter is to produce a series of drawings and paintings featuring views found along the Thames Path.
CHURCH STREET, Chiswick
Ink/Watercolour
5th October 2018
CHURCH STREET, Chiswick
Walking to the end of Church Street leads to the slipway at Chiswick Wharf, on the north side of the River Thames. This is a busy section of the path, hidden behind the Fullers Brewery.
I accidentally scanned this painting in black and white at first, but I really like the result!
I think it looks almost like an etching and feel that it gives a different atmosphere.
THAMES AT CHISWICK
Ink/Watercolour
5th October 2018
THAMES AT CHISWICK
This view is looking west along the river towards Chiswick Wharf. I painted this just before sunset, taking about 35mins, very quick for me!
After the success of my accidental black and white scan of Church Street I did the same here, also to good effect.
MARLOW WEIR
Ink
24th September 2018
MARLOW WEIR
A weir at Marlow is recorded in Domesday book, and there are 14th century records of a winch to pull traffic through a flash lock. The long weir stretches several hundred yards above Marlow Lock, and beyond it is Marlow Suspension Bridge close to All Saints Church.
I drew this sketch from the graveyard of the church, looking eastwards. Before heading home I stopped for a pint and had the idea of focusing on the River Thames for inspiration, as it offers an endless variety of subjects, is close to home and is easily accessible for me.
PUTNEY BRIDGE TO CHISWICK EYOT
Wednesday 10th October 2018, the day the media described as 'the last day of summer', warm and sunny, a great day to go out and explore the Thames Path.
Starting off at Putney Bridge, I spent a couple of hours on a watercolour sketch of the view looking south across the Thames.
I then followed the path along the north side of the river, walking upstream finishing at Chiswick Eyot just as the sun went down.
I have made a gallery of the photographs that I took along the route.
Click on any image to find out more:
Ink/Watercolour
10th October 2018
PUTNEY BRIDGE
The modern architecture on the left overshadow the older buildings on the right, with St. Mary's Church being dwarfed by the Putney Wharf Tower.
The bridge links Putney on the south side with Fulham to the north. The bridge has medieval parish churches beside its abutments: St. Mary's Church, Putney is built on the south and All Saints Church, Fulham on the north bank. This close proximity of two churches by a major river is rare, another example being at Goring-on-Thames and Streatley, villages hemmed in by the Chiltern Hills (the Goring Gap). For some centuries before its 1729 first incarnation a ferry shuttled between the two banks.