Racing Lines
Art by Maxine Dodd
Tour de France – Stage 7 – Revisited
Posted on June 30, 2020
Bonjour! It’s nearly July and for me, that means only one thing – Le Tour! This year is so different but July is nearly with us and I don’t see why we shouldn’t relive some memories and make some new ones.
The drawing here, I made on Saturday – by chance I found that Eurosport were replaying Stage 7 of the 2012 Tour – a phenomenal stage in every way. The landscape was outstanding and the climax to the stage was the killer climb to La Planche des Belles Filles, it was the stage that really showed us what was to come from Chris Froome and the Stage when Sir Bradley took his Yellow Jersey. Whatever controversies have followed since – I still remember and look back with huge excitement on this stage – it was a lovely day and especially for UK cycling fans like me.
So this picture made from the scenes at around 45km, shows that excitement that we enjoyed then and I for one, am going to miss for the next few weeks – the crowds doing daft things at the side of the road, the flags, the energy and the fabulous animal that is the peloton.
This is my drawing, made with my favourite media, pen and ink and watercolour on my favourite watercolour paper, 8in x 8in, 20cm x 20cm – have a great Tuesday!
Au revoir
Are you ready?
Posted on August 24, 2019
Still on the easel, but ready to go!
This is another foray into acrylic, which I have enjoyed using for a change. I have found them difficult in the past but have discovered that I have been using them incorrectly! I have always used a tiny amount of medium with a lot of water.
This is bad for the paint which can ‘split’. It is a polymer, so needs the medium to stretch the paint and allow it to flow. I now use plenty of medium with very little water and it works so well.*
This painting is the result of this learning, so it was great to make it!
Postscript 1/11/19 – I’m delighted to report that ‘Getting ready’ has now sold.
* Footnote: Advice on the subject of acrylic medium from Winsor & Newton:
Super Sunday
Posted on July 15, 2019
Well, what a day yesterday was? I wonder if you have recovered yet? I’ve never known a Sunday quite like it – so much phenomenal sport to enjoy.
Like many people, I was juggling viewing between the Tour de France, the Men’s Singles Final at Wimbledon, the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Men’s Cricket World Cup Final between England and New Zealand. So much drama at each event, giving great excitement for some, bruising disappointment for others. All of them entertained!
Here are some of the sketches and drawings I made while watching – with ideas for further pictures to come. I think I have my work cut out for some time … I love July, but Sunday 14th July 2019 will live long in my memory. Have a great week, Best wishes, Maxine 🙂
Tour de France 2019 – Excited!
Posted on July 6, 2019
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 of arguably the most famous sporting trophies, the Yellow Jersey.
It was first won by Eugene Christophe in 1919, who will wear it and eventually win it this year? It will be a great adventure finding out!
Crowds by the Cherry Tree – Women’s Tour of Yorkshire
Posted on May 16, 2019
Hello! It’s been a bit hectic the past week or so with Open Studios and other bits and pieces, so I’m still working through some highlights from the remaining stages of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire.
This piece was from the Women’s race, on the final stage – showing the crowds waving the peloton by. This scene stood out because of the view from the back which I like to draw but also because they were riding past the most beautiful cherry tree in full bloom.
There were many such trees along the route proving that the timing of the race couldn’t be better visually; such lovely time of year and great colour!
Crowds by the cherry tree
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 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
A winding road…
Posted on November 24, 2018
The autumn is coming to a close – in parts of the UK, the winter has begun even… Here in Leicestershire, it’s all gone a bit dark and gloomy, damp and murky… So to cheer up a bit, here’s a reminder of the Tour de France, and one of my favourite subjects, a lovely long peloton following a lovely winding road – all sunshine, trees and peace, what could be better?
Have a good weekend, and if you have sunshine and your bike, go out enjoy them while you can! 🙂
Click on the image to see full details and to buy 🙂
Mallorca Classic
Posted on October 5, 2018
Fantastic end to our holiday in Mallorca, the fourth stage of the Mallorca Classic bike race, which started and finished in the Port. The route climbed into the Serra de Tramuntana, challenging climbs with very strong winds. These are a few of my sketches, some I added colour to afterwards but the others I left as ink drawings which I may develop further when we settle back home.
La Vuelta a España -2018: Stage 1 – Kwiatowski riding past the people – study
Posted on August 30, 2018
Hola! Here’s my last sketch study from the time trial on Stage 1, this time showing Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatowski approaching the line at great speed to take the lead. His team mate Dylan van Baarle had held set a great time early on, but Kwiatowski put in a tremendous time, looking as though he would take his first stage win. It was not to be, but this moment looked great – at least for a while!
Kwiatowski riding past the people
