Radcliffe camera, painting Oxford orange
Orange overwhelm?
The first impression I have with this Radcliffe camera painting is the colour. Heavily on the yellow/red range, colour abounds. The orange/yellow has even bled into the sky. A common problem with my technique, but one I have learned to embrace. The original image has more muted colours, as you can see. I think I might have over compensated for the grey weather.
The camera itself, with its distinctive shape, dominates the upper half of the painting. Cobbles and sets cover the lower half. The more regular squarish sets contrast with the erratic chaos of the cobbles. The Camera is partially reflected in a puddle along the sets. And, if you look closely, there is a champagne cork hidden in the lines around it
The stripe of sets are more blue and green than the image as a whole. The eye is drawn along this line to the couple standing, admiring the view. Both wearing jeans, the woman’s coat and rucksack blend in, whereas the man’s black jacket contrasts with a brilliant colours. The road he stands on, is tired and worn tarmac. It seems older than the cobbles. Cracks and worn-down yellow lines confirm this apparent contradiction.
There’s a railing surrounding the Radcliffe camera, separating it from us. As is always the case in Oxford, a number of bicycles have been chained to it, as their owners are about their business. Possibly in the camera, or in one of the colleges which border Radcliffe square. We can see All Souls college to the right and the Bodleian Library to the left.
Radcliffe Camera is one of my Oxford paintings. You can see more in the Oxford Portfolio.