Los Cristianos Cafe Culture

Lovely scene and work Joseph. I like to do these too

This is a lovely sunny scene, Joseph but I do prefer the deeper tonal values of your previous paintings, more punchy viewing (that's my view) they have a John Yardley look about them,' if its not broke don't mend it' nothing wrong with experimenting, but your work looks good the way it is :)

Another super painting Joseph. I plod along painting happily and then another couple of paintings from you pop up and I'm left wondering why can't I depict the sunlight and shadows like you do? I blame it on the overcast Manchester skies..LOL. I like the change of colours. They conjure up the Tenerife laid back atmosphere. Very good!

Super work yet again Joseph, the main figure has real movement. I like Louise's excuse about the Manchester weather! I'll use that too!

Thanks all for your great comments. I do sometimes step away from my signature dark style as it sometimes reveals something to me that I can then put into my main style. It was good fun doing these and yes that is an excuse Louise regarding Manchester always being dull lol. Tip for shadows - get a cheap piece of watercolour and do lots of flat washes of the same colour, leave to dry then mix a darker hue such as Alizarin with your first colour and also add a bit of Payne's grey (I know this sounds a bit of a no no - but try it). You will know when your getting the right contrast - then remember this for your next painting.

Lovely work Joseph, bright, bold and colourful

I'm not familiar with the Tenerife scene (you're clearly a denizen Joe!), but I do know about Mediterranean street culture. And you've caught it in buckets. Lots of relaxed idiomatic details thrown into relief by the two pale, earnest outsiders. I like your signature combination of psychological (gawd, another "ph-y" word!) physical detail. Makes me smile and yes, I prefer my shadows light.

Thanks for your comment Kim. I was talking to Alvaro Castgnet on FB and he has seen some of my work. His advice was to try and lighten up some of the mid tones especially in the shadows as a bit of an experiment. I think it did pay off for me a bit. I suppose the next step for me is to try to get a bit of atmosphere into my work (sometimes I think they are a bit lacking in atmosphere). Yes I love the psychological element of my art as I think it creates a bit of further interest and a little bit of tension.

I do admire your boldness with colour and light, both of which are used to such good and powerful effect in your paintings. This one has such a holiday, sunny feel to it that I can almost feel the sun on my back (I wish!).

Wonderful light and ambience. Love this palette, Joseph, it works really well with the holiday atmosphere.