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!
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:
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
La Vuelta a España -2018: Stage 1 – Campanaerts holds nothing back – study
Posted on August 30, 2018
Hola! Here’s another study from the time trial on Stage 1, this one an experiment with water soluble pastels on black paper, which gives a great contrast for the colour. The rider is Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Soudal) who charged to the line with what looked like a combination of determination and brute force to achieve his place on the podium – wonderful to see!
Campanaerts leaves nothing back!
La Vuelta a España -2018: Stage 1 – Rohan ready to go – study
Posted on August 29, 2018
Hola! Here’s my next piece based on this year’s Vuelta – another from Stage 1, this time a study of Rohan Dennis waiting to start his time trial. He rode a phenomenal stage – he is a gifted time triallist, along with his team, BMC. The picture shows him calmly waiting to go, but I wanted to convey the anticipation by using strong lines – I like the contrast and feel this would work up into a bigger piece perhaps – that’s for another time but here he is… waiting.
Rohan ready to go – study
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
Steep descent – red earth
Posted on December 9, 2017
Hello! This picture taken from this year’s Vuelta a España. I was really taken with the colour of the trees and earth. It’s great to be reminded of warm sunshine on a December day. Have a great weekend 🙂
La Vuelta – Steep descent, red earth – £250
All the paintings are for sale (unless marked SOLD) and are priced at £250, (unless marked otherwise). Make a note of your favourite and press this link! Click to buy Thank you! 🙂 For full details, please visit Picture Info
La Vuelta a España -2017: Climbing to the blue
Posted on August 24, 2017
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!
Climbing to the blue
La Vuelta a España -2017: Sunweb – SOLD
Posted on August 22, 2017
Hola! This year’s Tour of Spain got underway last weekend with a really absorbing Team Time Trial in the ancient city of Nîmes. My first image is of the team with the magical name ‘Sunweb’ – They put in a great performance, but lost out to eventual stage winners BMC. Here they are riding in afternoon sun…
Sunweb – SOLDLa Vuelta 2015 – Impressions
Posted on September 18, 2015
Hola! I’ve had time out recently which has meant that I have not been able to follow La Vuelta and the Tour of Britain day by day as I would normally. However, I have been catching up with both races and thought it would be fun to make random posts from various stages, which I’ll feature over the next week or so. Today is La Vuelta and the theme is flags, fog and passionate fans! Here are my drawings:
In case you were wondering… all the paintings are original and for sale. Prices from £150 To find out more about them and how to buy, click here or Picture Information
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
La Vuelta 2015 – Impressions from week 1
Posted on August 28, 2015
Hola! What a week it’s been for cyclists and fans alike! Stage 1 saw the team time-trial take place on 14 different road surfaces, an horrendous crash in Stage 2 – one of the biggest stars disqualified… the list goes on! Speaking personally, the gremlins have hit me somewhat this week… a few mechanicals, so to speak. Therefore, I’ve decided to publish the impressions I have made so far and wish you a very warm and happy weekend!
Here are my drawings:
In case you were wondering… all the paintings are original and for sale. To find out more about them and how to buy, click here or Picture Information
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
La Vuelta 2015… getting ready!
Posted on August 20, 2015
Hello! What a summer of cycling it’s been! Some amazing moments in France and Italy, now we’re heading for the last Grand Tour of this year, La Vuelta a España, which explores the dramatic country of Spain. I’ve followed this event for two years, so it will be interesting to see how the race goes; the developing story of Froome versus Quintana should be fascinating not to mention the emerging stars building on their achievements in France. There should be much to enjoy. To get into the mood, I’ve selected a few highlights from 2013 and 2014 for you. Here are my drawings:
In case you were wondering… all the paintings are original and for sale. To find out more about them and how to buy, click here for Picture Information
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD
La Vuelta Ciclista a España…. hasta luego!
Posted on September 22, 2014
Hola! This is a last post to round up this year’s wonderful Vuelta a Espana. Riding through the beautiful region of Galicia. In the end, Contador was victorious and Froome took a fantastic second place – an amazing achievement after both men sustained dreadful injuries only a few weeks ago. Time for little rest! Hasta luego! Here are my drawings:
La Vuelta 2014: Stage 17, Ortigueira to A Coruña
Posted on September 18, 2014
Hola! After the rest day, the last part of La Vuelta a Espana moves into Galicia where the crosswinds and high-kick roads continue to characterise this great race. Today’s course began on the coast and then turned inland working through towns and villages. The breakaway was led by Daniel Teklehaimanot of MTN-Qhubeka, the first African team to enter the race but in the end it was a sprinter’s stage with a great win for John Degenkolb. Here are my drawings:
La Vuelta 2014: Stage 16, San Martín del Rey Aurelio to La Farrapona
Posted on September 15, 2014
Hola! The third day in the mountains. Better weather than yesterday revealed the mountains in their glory, not to mention a great stage for Contador and Froome, battling it out uphill, while Cancellara showed how to handle a descent! Here are my drawings:
