Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
La Vuelta a España -2017: Climbing to the blue
Posted on August 3, 2020
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!
Tour de France Revisited: 2016 – Stage4 Saumur to Limoges
Posted on July 8, 2020
Another look back to the Tour de France, this time to 2016 and Stage 4, a long route, ‘through luscious countryside and warm sunshine’ as I wrote at the time.
The route was suited to sprinters but held a twist at the end, with an unclassified climb
This suited the bigger riders and there was remarkable sprint finish – even closer than Stage 3, ‘A cat’s whisker’ said the delighted winner, Marcel Kittel. Fantastic!
Tour de Yorkshire: Stage 2 – Barnsley to Bedale – Mens
Posted on May 4, 2019
Hello! This is a summary of Stage 2, as I have more pictures to make from this absorbing second stage but I hope you enjoy it. The second day’s racing was really exciting, the women set the bar high in the morning and the men followed up in the afternoon.
Front Pack
The conditions improved a little for the men but still pretty wet and cold with plenty of obstacles on the road to avoid. Still the colour and spectacle was great to see with plenty of fans out to wave them on.
Wiinding road, long way up
The sprint for the line was won by Rick Zabel of Katusha – He burst through with tremendous strength – I loved his expression and his team mate punching the air behind him – which I’ve shown here.
Great win for Zabel
The third day promises to be fabulous because we have both races following the coast road – See you at the seaside!
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
Don’t forget to catch up with full analysis of the racing on www.velovoices.com
Tour de Yorkshire – Women’s race: Stage 1 – Doncaster to Selby – Drawing live
Posted on May 3, 2019
Hello! The Women’s race got underway in Barnsley on another cold and wet day. These drawings were made in real time, which I prefer – No hanging about!
Départ fictif – Barnsley in the rain!
The race has attracted some of the World’s best riders, including Word Champions and Olympians, reinforcing the reputation of this race.
Rain cape – Barnsley
Lizzie Banks from Sheffield made a very strong start, securing Queen of the Mountains and eventually forming a breakaway partnership with Leah Dixon.
Banks and Dixon sharing the breakaway
Later, the two became six before the final push to the finish in Bedale.
Willows, rhododendrons and white roses
The final push saw a phenomenal finish by Lorena Wiebes – she broke away so fast to cross the line. Very impressive!
Storming home!
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
Don’t forget to catch up with full analysis of the racing on www.velovoices.com
Tour de Yorkshire: Stage 1 – Doncaster to Selby
Posted on May 3, 2019
Hello! Well, the forecast came true – the opening stage of this year’s race was mostly very, very wet!
Spring greens
Still the colour shone out and people came out to encourage and support the riders. It’s always a remarkable sight.
Tour de Yorkshire,Wet, Wet, Wet
Gorgeous scenery
Pouring! Bunting and umbrellas!
In the race itself, British rider Jacob Hennessy made a good start, taking the King of the Mountains jersey, while Mark Cavendish looked well after his recent illness and finished eigth. Chris Froome made a more discreet opening, finishing in the pack.
The stage win came brilliantly for Dutchman Jesper Asselman, who, suitably for the conditions, stormed past everyone, gathering a Yorkshire flag on the way. The expression on his face was amazing – such a great effort – which I’ve tried to capture here. With apologies to Bob Dylan for the adapted title, but it was crying out!
Tangled up with blue
On Friday, the Women’s race starts as well as the men’s, so an absorbing day to come!
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
Don’t forget to catch up with full analysis of the racing on www.velovoices.com
Getting ready…
Posted on May 2, 2019
Hello! It’s been a busy Spring time and a bit of a strange one – In the UK we had a heatwave in February, the warmest Easter on record and now we look forward to frosts and possibly snow at the start of May. It is the UK though, so we know to expect the unexpected.
Kuurne Brussels Kuurne – Spring Classic
Speaking personally, it’s been a time of transition and reflection – I have recently had the urge to paint again – alongside working with favourite pens and watercolour. It’s a much slower process but very good. More on that to come in future posts…but it’s exciting!
Het Niewsblat – Spring Orange
The cycling season began in January and the Spring Classics are all but over, ready for the Grand Tours… I have tried a few new races (to me!) – the Het Niewsblat and Kuurne Brussels Kuurne featured here.
First on the pavés
There is a lovely event that straddles the two, bringing one season to a close and looking forward to the next and that is the Tour de Yorkshire. Now in its fifth year, this race has a firm place on the UK’s sporting calendar.
Yellow bike of Yorkshire
The race takes place over four days covering all parts of the county with its dramatic countryside and coastline – rugged and beautiful.
A fine Yorkshire day
So, I’m looking forward to this race, starting again and trying something new – Have a wonderful Spring Bank Holiday and if you are out on your bike – wrap up warm, it’s May! 🙂
Yellow fields of Whitby
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
La Vuelta a España -2018: Stage 1 – Malaga, Bathed in gold
Posted on August 26, 2018
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’
Bathed in gold
Tour de France 2018: Stage 12 – Light in the mountains
Posted on August 24, 2018
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!
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! 🙂
Tour de France 2018: Stage 16 – Heading for the High Pyrenees…
Posted on July 25, 2018
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 downs… It will be, arguably, the ultimate test this year – so do enjoy this tranquil scene before it all kicks off later! 🙂
Stage 16 – Heading for the High Pyrenees..All the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD). Click to buy Thank you! 🙂 For full details, please visit Picture Info
Tour de France 2018: Stage 15 – Carcassonne
Posted on July 25, 2018
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 a bird’s eye view from above, and it struck me that this is a place that would inspire a Cubist painter – perhaps it did? All facets and shadows, dotted with trees. in pinks, greys and greens. Perhaps Picasso and Braque passed through once – I don’t know – but anyway, here is my impression of Carcassonne. with a little nod of respect to them both.
Stage 15 – Carcassonne, pink rooftops and green treesAll the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD). Click to buy Thank you! 🙂 For full details, please visit Picture Info
Tour de France 2018: Stage 10 – Coming down the mountain
Posted on July 24, 2018
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 years but haven’t used for a while. The colours in this scene were lovely too – soft greens and mauves.
Stage 10 – Coming down the mountain
All the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD). Click to buy Thank you! 🙂 For full details, please visit Picture Info
Tour de France 2018: Stage 9 – Cobbles
Posted on July 24, 2018
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 the day.
Stage 9 – Cobbles!
All the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD). Click to buy Thank you! 🙂 For full details, please visit Picture Info
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