Rocks Markets in Sydney

How do you capture a busy market scene without making the painting look too cluttered? That is a question I often hear from students in my workshops. In my recent online session for my Patreon group, I tackled this by focusing on the light and the shadows. Instead of painting every single stall and person, I concentrated on the main shapes. I used a mix of warm tones for the historic building and contrasted these with cool blues in the shadows to give the scene a sense of depth and life.

People often worry about how to paint a crowd of figures. My advice is always the same: keep them simple. In this painting of the Rocks Markets in Sydney, I used quick, confident brushstrokes to suggest the people standing under the umbrellas. I did not worry about faces or small details. By keeping the figures loose and using a mix of blues and browns, I was able to create the feeling of a bustling market without overworking the paper.

The building in the background acts as the anchor for the whole piece. I chose to use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to reflect the warm sandstone often seen in Sydney architecture. By leaving some areas lighter, I allowed the white of the paper to act as a highlight, which helps to show where the sun is hitting the walls. Balancing these warm, earthy tones with the deep, cool shadows is key to making the painting feel grounded and believable.

I always enjoy seeing the work my students produce during these sessions. After the demonstration, some of the Patreon members sent me their own versions of this scene for a personal critique. It is truly rewarding to see how different artists interpret the same subject.