Plein air in Malmesbury High Street from the Market Cross

I painted this scene plein air in Malmesbury while it poured with rain. I tucked myself inside the Market Cross and looked down the high street with the bunting, wet roofs and busy traffic. The rain gave me soft edges and lovely reflections which I pulled down into the road for that fresh wet look. I kept shapes simple and left a few clean whites for lights and the road markings.

I worked fast. First a light sky wash and warm walls, then stronger cools for the street and the cars. I added two figures with umbrellas and a van to lead the eye, then lifted a few highlights for sparkle. A big mop brush did most of the work, with a small brush for windows, signs and wheels.

My palette here was neutral tint, burnt umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, viridian green, spring green, cobalt green, cerulean blue, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, lavender, alizarin crimson, cadmium red, light red and cadmium yellow, with white paint for highlights.