Alpe d’Huez

cycling, tour de france, light in the mountains, original watercolour, pen and ink

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 colour of the mountains behind. The colour was so strong I mistakenly thought it was the sky! I called this picture ‘Light in the mountains’ to capture both these elements, the elegant street light and the exceptional light of the atmosphere.  Have a good Friday and happy holiday weekend!

cycling, tour de france, light in the mountains, original watercolour, pen and ink

Light in the mountains – Tour de France, Stage 12

Light in the mountains – Tour de France, Stage 12

Original watercolour, pen and ink
20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in) image size.

£250 – click here to purchase

For background information about pictures – please see Picture Info

Many thanks! 🙂

cycling art, tour de france

Tour de France 2013: Stage 21 – Versailles to Paris Champs-Élysées

Bonjour! Stage 21 is the celebration stage. Rolling out from the Palace of Versailles and heading for Paris in the evening for a twighlight sprint around the Champs-Élysées. Setting off in beautiful late afternoon sunshine, all the riders looked relaxed and in good mood. This year, the sprint went round the Arc du Triomphe and there was an immense battle, the win was Kittel’s. Sky came together to cross the line in support of their leader in yellow jersey. What a race and what a finish? Can’t wait until next year! Here are my drawings:

cycling art, tour de france
Patrouille de France Framed 40x40cm
Riding by Joan
Riding towards the Tower
Départ réel
cycling art, tour de france
Chatting on the way to Paris
Sky win!
Versailles
Rollout together
Riding to Paris
Quintana wins the stage!
Heads down for the win, by Maxine Dodd, SOLD
Heads down for the win
cycling art

Tour de France 2013: Stage 20 – Annecy to Annecy-Semnoz

Bonjour! Stage 20 was outstanding, from the weather and scenery to incredible racing. There were many highlights, including Jens Voigt showing the youngsters how to climb a hill and fantastic breaks between Froome, Quintana and Rodriguez, not to mention some handsome cattle suitably dressed. Most of the final places overall were resolved in this stage. Peter Sagan held on to the Green; Polkadot and White jerseys both went to the astounding Nairo Quintana and Yellow remained with the modest Englishman, Chris Froome. The stage is set for a fantastic celebration tomorrow in Paris. Here are my drawings:

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Annecy, the start
Annecy, the road by the lake
Crossing the sprint line together
Voigt grits his teeth as the leaders descend
Va, Va, Froome!
Lovely ladies!
Quintana wins the stage!

Tour de France 2013: Stage 19 – Bourg-d’Oisans to Le Grand Bornand

Bonjour! Stage 19 was a long stage, with five climbs overall. Sky had a better day and Chris Froome held on to his lead. Pierre Rolland, showed his metal in the climbs and descents for much of the race, but eventually overtaken for the win by Rui Costa. The real winner today perhaps was the rain, which in spite of the bright start came by the bucketload at the end of the day. Here are my drawings:

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At the start
Sky head for the Coll de la Madelaine
Clouds rolling in
Coming up the hill
And the rain came down!
Rolland braves the rain

Tour de France 2013: Stage 18 – Gap to Alpe d’Huez

Bonjour! Stage 18, the one with the notorious climb to Alpe d’Huez, lived up to expectations. An intense, gruelling stage, leaving riders not only battling the hill, but contending with arguably the largest crowds ever. The roads were chaotic all the way. Van Garderen led for most of the race and then with barely 2km to go, Christophe Riblon found a burst of energy and powered past, leaving the American in his wake. Making up for the disappointment of Jean-Christophe Peraud, Stage 18 was a fantastic win for Riblon. Magnifique! Here are my drawings:

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Road from above
Madness!
Riblon powers past!
Win for Riblon!