Victoria Cafe 2013

I prefer this version for its relative simplicity. The reworked version strikes me as too busy, the threatening clouds ignored by the crowd sitting outside, the ominous shadow on the road - too much going on, too intense.

Thank you Tony I was fairly sure that some would prefer the quieter scene and if I paint it again I may have less contrast but be sure to give the people more prominence. I actually agree that the clouds are probably too much but left them in to show the strong contrast. They do actually work very well when the painting is viewed with a bit of distance.

Brave of you to change a successful painting but I do think the dramatic sky adds to the scene.

Thank you Stephen, since I discovered that I could repeatedly recreate a scene even if there were some minor differences I have not been afraid of making changes and taking the odd risk.