Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Super Sunday
Super Sunday is 14th July, 2019 – when so many major sporting events took place. Excitement and drama in motor racing, tennis, cycling and of course, cricket.. What a day? 🙂
Tour de France 2019 – Excited!
Bonjour! It’s July, it’s Tour time! Three weeks of absorbing racing through some of the finest scenery you’ll ever see. There will be crowds and flags and great spectacle along the way. The race begins in Brussels to mark the 50th Anniversary of the first win of Eddie Merckx, one of cycling’s greatest racers. It also marks one hundred years since the first award…
Tour de France 2018: Stage 12 – Light in the mountains
Hello! I’m still making work from this year’s Tour – as always such a rich source of inspiration. This image follows the theme of the landscape again. The mountain stages are great favourites and this year, the Alpine stages included a memorable visit to the Alpe d’Huez. I was struck here, by the very decorative streetlamps on the road, but also the intense blue/purple/lilac…
Tour de France 2018: Stage 11 – Leaving Albertville
Hello! I like to try and capture the peloton, always very hard to do so many colours, riders, bikes and fans! This is quite a calm image, riders seen from the back at around 101km. Stage 11 was a real turning point in the race, the changing of the guard… For all information about pictures – please see Picture Info Many thanks! 🙂
Tour de France 2018: Stage 16 – Heading for the High Pyrenees…
Hello! This is another piece reflecting the scenery on this French odyssey. This time the foothills of the Pyrenees – where France meets Spain in spectacular style. I suppose this could be described as the calm before the storm – Stage 16 went well for the riders of the General Classification but today’s stage will be different, explosive and short, but all ups and…
Tour de France 2018: Stage 15 – Carcassonne
Bonjour! I realised that I haven’t posted much in the way of scenery recently. The Tour de France race shows us some wonderful places as it passes through the country. Stage 15 finished in the ancient city of Carcassonne. Described by Google as ‘a hilltop town in southern France’s Languedoc area’ – It’s an incredible place, with walls, towers and turrets. The TV helicopter gave…
Tour de France 2018: Stage 11 – Getting close….
Much of the focus of this year’s race has been on these two riders – Chris Froome and, from this stage onwards, Geraint Thomas. Fantastic riding from them both and Thomas took the Yellow Jersey just a few seconds after this… I dare not say anymore as the finish is so close now! All the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD). Click to…
Tour de France 2018: Stage 10 – Coming down the mountain
Another reflection from an earlier stage – this time Stage 10 following the riders down the mountain. I made this using my new favourite tool – a twig! I’m using this with Indian ink, which gives a permanent line. The paint bounces off it – but the twig gives a great bold line, along with the Japanese bamboo pen that I’ve had for many…
Tour de France 2018: Stage 9 – Cobbles
Bonjour! The Tour is reaching its climax and the race is fascinatingly poised. The next few days in the Pyrenees will decide! Meanwhile, here is a reflection from Stage 9 over the cobbles… again highlighting the colour and abstract qualities of the race. This painting made mostly with ochre and purple which set off the colours of the flags, reflecting the fierce heat on…
Tour de France 2018: Julian Alaphilippe – Study in blue, black and yellow
Bonjour! Breaking with the routine a bit – This piece is inspired by the French rider Julian Alaphilippe who put in a storming performance on Stage 10. Left everyone behind! This image is mixed media – combining watercolour, ink with pen, brush and twig – as well as a little gouache. It’s drying at the moment, so see what you think….
Tour de France 2018: Stage 3 – Cholet to Cholet
Bonjour! Stage three was one of my favourites so far. A team time trial, which I always enjoy. What I love is the grace of the team moving as a unit and I love the repetition of the colour. I see great abstract qualities in this event – so these first two sketches reflect that interest. One is more literal, I think it’s the…
Tour de France 2018: Stage 2 – Mouilleron-Saint-Germain to La Roche-sur-Yon
Bonjour! Stage two was another long one, with more tumbles and an exciting win for sprinter, Peter Sagan…. but my picture for this stage, shows one of the Tour’s favourites – Sylvain Chavanel – He rode at the front for much of this stage. It’s his 18th Tour – What an athlete and what a hero! All the paintings are for…
