Landscape Watercolour of Istanbul, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
The Rüstem Pasha Mosque in Istanbul's Eminönü district by the Golden Horn, is among the city's architectural gems and often overlooked by visitors. It's not too difficult to miss as you pass it on the way to the grand Bazaar from the main ferry port on the Golden Horn and over a large square frequented mainly by pigeons.
Landscape Watercolour of Istanbul, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Fatih district in Istanbul, away from the typical tourist routes. The Fatih area is home to the main mosques and the Grand Covered Bazaar. My subject was a typical scene of a street in Fatih looking down towards the Bosphorous. I was probably most pleased about the job on the car of all things and left it not too overworked. The danger is you start painting in detail on windscreens and then wheels and it all ends up looking too false.
Landscape Watercolour of Istanbul, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Istanbul 'Sirkeci' Railway Station, made famous for the destination of the Orient Express and numerous Poirot films and TV episodes. It's a lovely old building looking very French/Victorian in style with the influence of the Ottoman empire. Inside there's the Orient Express Restaurant and Cafe right on the main platform of the station, popular with tourists.
Landscape Watercolour of Mudanya, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Chance to do some loose painting with the narrow streets of Mudanya and the contrast between light sky and the dark streets. The lovely old wooden buildings here with the upper storey bigger than the ground floor makes for some interesting perspective drawing.
Landscape Watercolour of Istanbul, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Divan Yolu Caddesi looking up to the small Firuz Aga Mosque (well relatively small to the very large mosques next door like the Sultanahmet). Divan Yolu was Istanbul's first main street going back to Emperor Constantine's day, and now still is a wide boulevard with open spaces leading to the main tourist spots and the grand bazaar.
Landscape Watercolour of Bursa, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 140 lbs
An anonymous back street in Bursa Turkey, showing a typical scene of shops, a street trader's three-wheeled transportation containing various seed covered breads or Simit - Turkish version of a pretzel and very delicious too.
Landscape Watercolour of Mudanya, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 140 lbs
Mudanya is a picturesque town on the Marmara sea close to Bursa city. An important fishing port, fishermen still go out in their traditional wooden boats, and bring back their catch to the lively local markets. The largest market near the harbour looks like a drab warehouse building from the ouside, but as soon as you step inside you're struck by the vibrant colours of the fresh fruit and veg lit up by spot lights and the other produce from spices, herbs and of course the fish and meat. A great place for a visit even if you're not buying anything.
Landscape Watercolour of Bursa, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 140 lbs
The Green Mosque (or Yesil Cami in Turkish) is a very historic site in Bursa and popular tourist spot. As well as the Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum here, there are many souvenir shops selling what I thought was good quality stuff and staff dressed in traditional ottoman uniforms. The Green Mosque, commissioned by Sultan Mehmet I Çelebi and finished in 1424, is set on a promontory overlooking the valley with great views over Bursa city. It takes its name from the green-blue tiles of the interior - but it has a pretty bright exterior also.
Landscape Watercolour of Mudanya, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Another painting of my most favourite town on the Marmara coast, Mudanya. Mudanya is characterised by many wonderful old wooden buildings with their upper floors larger than the ground floor, overhanging them by a few feet. And now and again striking white buildings with ornate decorations on their facades offer striking contrasts.
Landscape Watercolour of Bursa, Turkey, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs
A busy street in Bursa, 4th largest city in Turkey. All the drivers are very well behaved. It could be any street in the world, but add in a minaret and a Doner Kebap sign and it instantly says a Turkish scene. This particular street i can remember had many 'Durums' - street cafes that specialise in doner wraps - of course Doner was 'invented' in Bursa.
