Racing Lines
The art of Maxine Dodd
Tour de France 2021: Here it comes!
Posted on June 25, 2021
Hello and bonjour! The last day before the start of the 108th Tour de France, and to post of some of my favourite images over the years inspired by this great race.
I am amazed to admit that this will be the tenth time I have made drawings and paintings of the Tour, my first being in 2012. It was a turning point for my art (and my life) in many ways, so this will be a special race from a personal perspective too. The start of an anniversary year, in fact, so I am very excited to say the least.
The race itself promises, as ever, to be a diverse and colourful course, this year starting in Brittany, which will be lovely to see. Other highlights for me include a return to Albertville, Nîmes and Carcassonne along with a nice detour through Andorra, which will bring back memories of skiing holidays we enjoyed years ago.
From the the point of view of the race itself, there’s a lot to look forward to. Personally, I shall have everything crossed for Mark Cavendish, one the most exciting riders for me, but also one with his unfair share of bad luck lately. He is so passionate about this race and so close to Merckx’ record, it would be phenomenal to see him succeed.
Cavendish will ride alongside Julian Alaphilippe, another rider who is a joy to watch. I just love them both and I confess, Deceuninck–Quick-Step, will be a team I shall be keen to see do well.
La Course, the partner women’s race will take place tomorrow, following a similar route tothe men’s Stage 1 route, but the really significant news for women’s cycling is that Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme made a long-awaited confirmation that Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) will launch a women’s Tour de France in 2022. Finally!!! I can’t wait to draw it! A wonderful way to round off my anniversary year.
So, not long to go… let’s hope for good weather, good riding, no controversies, definitely no COVID, and plenty of scenes of France itself, for many of us, it will be our only way to visit this year. Wishing the teams and the Tour, the very best! Scroll down to see some pictures to whet your appetite!
Allez! Allez!
Next, the rain! It’s lovely to draw, not so great to ride…
Euro 2021: Two surprise draws
Posted on June 20, 2021
Some drawings from two matches that both resulted in draws, both of which were unexpected, including the debacle that was England v Scotland… (at least for England fans).
Scotland played with great heart and their fans were so passionate, it was great to see.
England’s best moment was an astounding acrobatic header from John Stones, which sadly hit the post, not the target… ditto a lovely strike from Che Adams, which was wide of the mark.
Next came Hungary v France, a game where Hungary played really well and put the current World Champions to the test. A lovely flying strike from Fiola put Hungary ahead. Griezmann equalized and that’s the way it remained, a great achievement for Hungary, not so great for France…
It will be interesting to see what happens next with these four… some hearts could be made or broken and maybe not as expected.
It’s The Big One!
Posted on June 18, 2021
Not long to go before the re-match between Scotland and England at Wembley. The first time since 1996! I remember it vividly, England won, with one of the most celebrated goals in recent memory.
The audacious goal by Paul Gascoigne, lit up the tournament and broke the hearts of Scotland fans.. the celebration was just as notable as the goal, Gascoigne throwing himself to the ground to remind everyone that only a few weeks before he (and the team) had been caught out celebrating in an establishment which delivered drinks from a great height, in huge quantities, to the open mouth of the person lying on a Dentist’s Chair… It was a moment England fans relished in spite of themselves! I confess that I was one!
I made this sketch recently and think I might have had a lemonade or two, as I had completely forgotten about drawing it! Not my best drawing but I love the Dentist’s Chair… many happy memories of a magic time for England and my own life too. It’s a long time ago but feels very close.
Good luck tonight, wishing everyone a wonderful time, safe and sound… and don’t be too silly with the pop!
It’s coming home, it’s coming…
Posted on June 11, 2021
Well, as an England fan, I certainly hope it is! The tournament certainly is – along with 10 other host cities, matches will be played at Wembley – and there will be fans in the seats! Wonderful news after all this time. I can’t wait to follow the action with my pens and paints – it will be so exciting. Three home nations is fantastic – I also love to watch France, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium – it’s going to be a busy few weeks and my drawings and paintings will, no doubt, be frantic and emotional, like these from 2016… Magic!
Goal of the tournament? Payet, France, 
A sea of red – Bale for Wales 
One nil to France! 
Romania equalise! 
Celebrating goal No.1 – Giroud, France v Romania 
After the ball, England vs Russia
These are not from the Euro 2016, but some great players who will be there… so many new ones to try as well, I can’t wait…So excited!!!
Harry Kane set about taking the net apart! 
What a magnificent header! 
Chilwell superstrike
Six Nations 2019 – Wales triumph
Posted on March 21, 2019
Hello! The weekend saw an outstanding win for Wales rugby, not only of the Six Nations tournament but with a Grand Slam to boot – It doesn’t get much better than that!
Wales v Ireland, Red sky
I think back to the their first half performance against France in the first match and what a transformation. They found their feet in the second half of that game and played relentlessly thereafter – simply outstanding.
Wales v Ireland – abstract
Wales v Ireland, pushing on
Meanwhile, the tournament finished as it began, with a game of two very different halves. This time it was England who were doing all they could to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory… Scotland turned the match around in the second half in style. The final score was a draw but it feels very much like a victory for Scotland… Hey ho!
I tried some new larger paper sizes for some of these which are a bit tricky to scan but nice to make. They equate roughly to A3 size on textured watercolour paper, which gives a texture if the paint is applied dry-ish and almost dragged over the surface with a flat brush.
England v Scotland – Pause
England v Scotland – Storming blues
The others are the usual 8 x 8in size on a lovely sturdy watercolour paper, smooth finish. I used a pen brush by Staedtler, with ink that reacts fantastically well when sprayed with water.
Italy v France – Felix
Available to buy – hot off the press, so to speak – The sizes are the unframed image. Click this link for the picture enquiry form. Or please email me at maxine@maxinedodd.com, it’s always lovely to hear from you.
Wales: Standing strong
Six Nations 2019 – Drawing live
Posted on February 25, 2019
Hello! This weekend saw another dramatic round of matches in the Six Nations tournament. Surprises, upsets and resurgence, all with some great rugby.
Tebaldi
I won’t say too much about the results, I know some people may not have caught up yet. However, I wanted to publish these while the games are so fresh in mind.
Wales v England – Quick breath
I made them while watching the games – I make them almost as ‘automatic drawings’ (ie looking at the subject only and not the paper) I watch and draw, barely looking at the page in front of me.
Wales v England
This gives gestural marks which suggest the flow of the action. The colour comes next where I do look at the drawing in front of me. They are all made in real time, live while the match takes place. I like the raw energy of these, see what you think…
Scotland try!
Tackle
All of them are approximately 8 x 8in / 18 x 18 cm in size. Made with my favourite pens and watercolours. I feel that there is scope for development into further work, which I’ll try, but often find that the image ‘dies’ a little for being more ‘finished’.
If I manage to get the balance right, I’ll publish, so let’s see what happens!
Big red boot
Meqnwhile, I hope you like these and that they remind you of a great weekend 🙂
French sleeves
Available to buy – hot off the press, so to speak – Click this link for the picture enquiry form. Or please email me at maxine@maxinedodd.com, it’s lovely to hear from you.
Six Nations 2019 – Round 1
Posted on February 9, 2019
Hello! What a start to 2019’s Six Nations Rugby tournament? Simply stunning! It was exciting and unpredictable with results not going as expected and play just fabulous to watch.
Here are some of my first impressions from last week – quick sketches and one finished piece, as they came, warts and all! Roll on Round 2!
France v Wales Sketch 1
France v Wales, Sketch 2
France v Wales, Sketch 3
Scotland v Italy, sketch 1
Scotland v Italy, sketch 2
Ireland v England, sketch 1
Ireland v England, sketch 2
Ireland v England, sketch 3
Ireland v England, sketch 4
Ireland v England, sketch 5
Ireland v England, sketch 6
Ireland v England, sketch 7
Ireland v England, sketch 8, Cian Healy try
Knock on advantage – Ireland v England
Crunch time!
Posted on February 1, 2019
Hello!
Tumult
Not long to go before the first match in this year’s Six Nations Rugby tournament – the sporting event that comes along in the depths of winter – we love it in our house.
Scotland v Ireland (2017) – A win for Scotland
It’s great subject to draw, so fast and energetic, with good colour – it has it all
Six Nations – England vs Wales, Pushing on
This weekend’s opening matches see France against Wales, Scotland face Italy and Ireland versus England, all classics. With the Rugby World Cup coming up later this year, these matches will give all the teams and fans a glimpse of what’s to come. I can’t wait!
Six Nations – England vs Wales, Itoje breaks
Six Nations: France v Ireland
Italy v Wales (2017) Crunch time! Getting stuck in!
Impossible roads
Posted on May 12, 2017
Hello! I love this image inspired by the ribbons of roads that cling to the mountainsides beside the Mediterranean sea. I wonder just how were they built? I ponder the difficulties such an endeavour poses! Yet, they seem to last for centuries, updated with the best new surfaces of each generation. Amazing and impossibly beautiful, just like the sea beyond… if you dare look down!
Impossible roads!
£250
Original watercolour, pen and ink, with pastel
40 x 40cm Framed
Click to buy
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
Six Nations – Impressions
Posted on April 8, 2017
Hello! A last look at this year’s Six Nations tournament and welcome to Spring… Time seems to be flying this year. There was a bittersweet end for England fans, their team won the tournament but failed to achieve the Grand Slam as they made a very convincing loss against Ireland – who played them off the park! The images here are a mixture of colour and grisaille (grey tones) which is something I’ve been exploring the past few weeks. There’ll be more of these but this was the start… Here are my drawings:
Six Nations –
Posted on February 7, 2017
Hello! The first week of the 2017 Rugby Six Nations contest began last weekend with three good matches and some unexpected results. Italy began well against Wales only to see their hopes fade away – Scotland took a great win over Ireland… and England were truly put to the test by France. A nice start and all poised interestingly for the next round at the weekend. Here are my drawings :
Let the heartbreak begin…
Posted on June 12, 2016
Bonjour! The European Football Championships began in Paris on Friday amid great excitement, anxiety and tension. The opening match between France and Romania saw possibly the goal of the tournament from Dimitri Payet to secure victory for France – a fantastic start. Joy too for Wales with the grace and power of Gareth Bale’s free kick earning victory placing them at top of their group. England began their campaign as always… sparks of brilliance but falling short at the last… Here we go again everyone, fasten your seatbelts and get your tissues ready, there will be tears! Meanwhile, here are a few impressions, have a wonderful weekend:
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