Description

Orange Signal Box was painted in response to an extraordinary evening in Birmingham when the sky glowed an eerie orange. I chose a warmer palette of oranges, browns, and pinks to reflect that atmosphere.

The Brutalist concrete of the New Street Signal Box formed a strong, fortress-like shape. Reflections danced off its horizontal strip of windows, whilst the pavement, with its strong red strips leading to the Mailbox, shimmered with the rain. A poor, soaked cyclist is trying his best to stay upright whilst the few pedestrians head for cover.

Inspiration for Orange Signal Box:

The rain was lashing down, the roads were sodden, and the car taillights were making all of the reflections glow bright pink. I just had to take the shots and paint it!

Techniques and media used:

Working from an initial thin, darkish layer of oil paint, layering up glazes with Liquin, to keep the colours glowing whilst also waiting for the whites to dry, to apply the slightest hint of yellow on top.