Paintings inspired by the cycling Grand Tour of Spain, La Vuelta a Espana
Hola! Today’s image is taken from Stage 5 and shows something that strikes me every time I see the Mediterranean coastline – the sky and sea are such amazing blues – so intense. The race took a route through these gorgeous colours finishing on a very sharp climb which pushed even the best to their limits. Another fab day!
Hola! This year’s Tour of Spain got underway in the south, with an individual time trial in the late afternoon. This first sketch shows Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatowski setting out on his ride, against the setting sun. The sun was low in the sky, bathing the city in a golden light – even the sea looked golden, so I called this, ‘Bathed in gold’
Hello! This picture taken from this year’s Vuelta a España. I was really taken with the colour of the trees and earth. It’s great to be reminded of warm sunshine on a December day. Have a great weekend 🙂
All the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD) and are priced at £250, (unless marked otherwise). Make a note of your favourite and press this link! Click to buy Thank you! 🙂 For full details, please visit Picture Info
Hola! Today’s image is taken from Stage 5 and shows something that strikes me every time I see the Mediterranean coastline – the sky and sea are such amazing blues – so intense. The race took a route through these gorgeous colours finishing on a very sharp climb which pushed even the best to their limits. Another fab day!
Hola! I’ve had time out recently which has meant that I have not been able to follow La Vuelta and the Tour of Britain day by day as I would normally. However, I have been catching up with both races and thought it would be fun to make random posts from various stages, which I’ll feature over the next week or so. Today is La Vuelta and the theme is flags, fog and passionate fans! Here are my drawings:
In case you were wondering… all the paintings are original and for sale. Prices from £150 To find out more about them and how to buy, click here or Picture Information
Hola! What a week it’s been for cyclists and fans alike! Stage 1 saw the team time-trial take place on 14 different road surfaces, an horrendous crash in Stage 2 – one of the biggest stars disqualified… the list goes on! Speaking personally, the gremlins have hit me somewhat this week… a few mechanicals, so to speak. Therefore, I’ve decided to publish the impressions I have made so far and wish you a very warm and happy weekend!
Here are my drawings:
In case you were wondering… all the paintings are original and for sale. To find out more about them and how to buy, click here or Picture Information
Hello! What a summer of cycling it’s been! Some amazing moments in France and Italy, now we’re heading for the last Grand Tour of this year, La Vuelta a España, which explores the dramatic country of Spain. I’ve followed this event for two years, so it will be interesting to see how the race goes; the developing story of Froome versus Quintana should be fascinating not to mention the emerging stars building on their achievements in France. There should be much to enjoy. To get into the mood, I’ve selected a few highlights from 2013 and 2014 for you. Here are my drawings:
In case you were wondering… all the paintings are original and for sale. To find out more about them and how to buy, click here for Picture Information
Hola! This is a last post to round up this year’s wonderful Vuelta a Espana. Riding through the beautiful region of Galicia. In the end, Contador was victorious and Froome took a fantastic second place – an amazing achievement after both men sustained dreadful injuries only a few weeks ago. Time for little rest! Hasta luego! Here are my drawings:
Hola! After the rest day, the last part of La Vuelta a Espana moves into Galicia where the crosswinds and high-kick roads continue to characterise this great race. Today’s course began on the coast and then turned inland working through towns and villages. The breakaway was led by Daniel Teklehaimanot of MTN-Qhubeka, the first African team to enter the race but in the end it was a sprinter’s stage with a great win for John Degenkolb. Here are my drawings:
Hola! The third day in the mountains. Better weather than yesterday revealed the mountains in their glory, not to mention a great stage for Contador and Froome, battling it out uphill, while Cancellara showed how to handle a descent! Here are my drawings:
Hola! The second of three days in the northern mountain ranges. Beautiful course through with amazing camber to the roads, made worse by the mist and rain. Incredible stage. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Up to the top of Spain and the wonderful landscapes of the Picos – but very tough climbing for the riders! Again, they amaze with their tenacity. From a British fan’s perspective this was a great day for Team Sky, who have gradually made their way up the standings. Chris Froome pulled out all the stops and is now in third place overall, but the red jersey remains firmly with the brilliant Contador. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Still playing catch up so I’ve combined highlights from Stage 12 and Stage 13, with your forgiveness! Stage 12 was a sprinters’ stage, riding long circuits of the terracotta city of Logroño, which was won by John Degenkolb, whereas Stage 13 set out into the hills again riding through beautiful green fields that reminded me of Yorkshire in July! A terrific climb at the last, with a win for Navarro. Here are my drawings:
Hola! So good to be back after some unforeseen interruptions and technical hitches I’ve had the past few days. The peloton definitely left me behind, you might say! Stage 11 took a searing course through the Navarro mountains. Hot and steep, the riders hauled their way to the top. Sadly, there was another crash for Quintana and his Vuelta finally came to an end, but for Spanish fans there was great delight as the stage was won by Fabio Aru. Gruelling but terrific! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 10 saw an elaborate start to the second time trial, weaving through the terracotta walls of the monastery. From there, the course travelled through the province of Zaragossa to Borja in sunshine. Quintana began his first day in red well but suffered a dreadful crash on a bend. He recovered well enough to complete but lost his red jersey to the amazing Contador, riding so well after the appalling injury he sustained in the Tour. You just wouldn’t know it to look at him- amazing! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 9 was a climbing stage through the hills of Aragon. The surprise was the transformation in the weather – the rain poured! Team Sky began well but Lampre Merida’s Winner Anacona led from the front and took the win, but a great battle behind for the red jersey. Contador was close but Quintana took that prize. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 8 was the longest stage so far and left Andalucia for La Mancha. Long, straight roads through rolling plains meant crosswinds and speedier teams were ready to take advantage. Sky performed really well all day but the sprint to the finish saw a great battle with Nacer Bouhanni pounding through to victory! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 7 was another stage in Andalucia and what a stage it was. Long and bumpy course past fields of olive trees growing from red earth. The stage was ridden fast with strong breakaways and a peloton in hot pursuit. However, this pace caused several riders to fall – even as the peloton approached the winning line. A great win for Team Cannondale by Alessandro De Marchi who crossed the line solo. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 6 continued through the heat of Andalucia. Something in the back of my mind thinks that this area is known as ‘the frying pan of Spain’. I’m sure someone can confirm this – certainly it must feel like it to the 198 riders who have survived so far. A long stage on the flat, passing arid, golden fields – even a dust plume – only to be rewarded with the nastiest climb right at the end in La Zubia. However, fans were rewarded with a phenomenal finish and a great win for Valverde. Astonishing stuff! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 5 was a slower stage for the most part, travelling a meandering course inland to Ronda. All looked hot but relaxed and the stage progressed without incident until a sudden change of wind brought about a break from team Tinkoff Saxo. Then it all kicked off with a phenomenal sprint finish and a second win for John Degenkolb. As we say in the UK – ‘Phew, what a scorcher!’ Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 4 saw the course continue inland, starting flat but with two climbs. The weather was ridiculously hot again, calling into question the safety of the event by some riders. In spite of this, the cyclists performed brilliantly with astonishingly fast descents that took my breath away! A burst to the finish saw the win for John Degenkolb. Great racing. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 3 began on the coast of Cadiz and wove a course inland that saw the first climbs of this year’s race. Travelling through sizzling countryside in sweltering temperatures, riders ground uphill and flew down at breakneck speed. A hard day all round! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 2 was a stage for the sprinters, being mostly flat.The course travelled across the extreme south of the country, passing through industrial zones and salt flats. It was hot and windy. There was a crazed dash for the line with a fantastic win for French FDJ team rider Nacer Bouhanni, one of cycling’s exciting new sprinters. Here are my drawings:
Hola! So good to be back to cycling for the last Grand Tour of the season, which takes us round beautiful Spain. Stage 1 took the form of a team time trial around the southern city of Jerez de la Frontera – a lovely evening stage showing all the teams to great advantage. and whetting the appetites of fans for three weeks of great racing. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 21 of La Vuelta comes to the Capital and home! The last stage unusually flat, and saw a great sprint around the streets of Madrid. Chris Horner was confirmed as overall winner, the oldest man to complete the Vuelta and the oldest man to win a Grand Tour. He’ll probably tire of hearing these statistics very quickly! A very happy Michael Matthews, took the stage win. Fans of cycling were delighted to have witnessed an amazing three weeks of racing. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 20 of La Vuelta was the crunch stage! This is the one that decided the race. The course wasn’t for the fainthearted, with three tough climbs, but the toughest of them all, Alto de L’Angliru coming right at the end. Riders toiled through the mist and fog on one of the steepest climbs of the cycling calendar. The stage was won by young French rider Kenny Elissonde who worked amazingly hard to take the lead and hang on. On his tail was the owner of the red jersey, the astounding Chris Horner who has shown the world that 42 is a great age to be top of your sport, but sympathy has to go to Vincenzo Nibali who led for so much of this amazing tour. This sport is cruel indeed! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 19 of La Vuelta saw a return to the coast and yet another steep climb to finish. Another gorgeous rural landscape leading through pretty villages to Oviedo. The race was exciting. Joaquim Rodriguez took the stage win, but the big news was that the red jersey became the property of American Chris Horner. Olé! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 18 of La Vuelta explored the hills and pastoral landscape from Burgos towards the north coast. The stage had a sharp and steep climb to finish but took in lovely countryside along the way. There was a feeling of a step back in time. The race was very close, especially between the leaders Horner and Nibali who clung to the red jersey by only 2 seconds. However the stage was won for the first time this Vuelta by a member of the Sky team, Vasil Kiriyenka. Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 17 of La Vuelta was the first of the last five stages building towards the goal of Madrid. A gentler course than the Pyrenees, but there were still some climbs, with a sprint finish into Burgos. It seemed to be a day of varying shades of pink, from the fields, villages and towns to the vivid Lampre Merida team, but at the last gasp, the stage turned electric green in the form of a brilliant burst to the line by Bauke Mollema, who took everyone by surprise and the stage win! Wonderful! Here are my drawings:
Hola! Stage 16 of La Vuelta was the last Pyrenean stage and most would be glad of that! However, the sun returned and shone on a beautiful mountain landscape cloaked in pine trees and green pasture. New star Warren Baguil led the way alongside Sky’s Rigoberto Uran both diving for the line together. The Frenchman won by a split second. Here are my drawings:
