Fishermen, Alexandria Egypt

Landscape Watercolour of Alexandria, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs

A study of some fishermen attending their nets or maybe discussing the day's campaign.  Close to the main harbour in Alexandria and towards the citadel there's many types of boats congregated together, maybe for the shelter here or maybe it's proximity to the markets nearby.  I tried to convey the heat here of the midday sun and the not so blue colour of the sky, which many times in Egypt has an ochre tinge to it maybe because of sands blown in from the South.

Alexandria Street 13, Egypt

Landscape Watercolour of Alexandria, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs

Alexandria has to be one of my favourite subjects for watercolour - it's perfect for the medium with the light, the contrasts between light and dark, and perfect compositions with the typical street scenes.  I'll have to go back some time and take hundreds more reference photos cuz I'm running out.

Alexandria Street 11, Egypt

Landscape Watercolour of Alexandria, Egypt, on Bockingford NOT Paper 140 lbs

An anonymous back street in Alexandria near the bay area, with street vendors selling various fruit and veg.  For the smoke I used the JZ technique of first ensuring where you want the smoke the paper is very dry.  Then wet in the area the smoke will cover, and drop in some watered down white gouache or watercolour in the top portion and make the mix as you go down stronger to the source ending up with almost pure pigment.

Archway near the Citadel, Alexandria

Landscape Watercolour, Alexandria Egypt, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs

An archway very close to the old Citadel in Alexandria and a glimpse through to the bay beyond.  I am sure this archway had some great significance - there were two large plaques either side of the entrance with arabic script on them, and a guard sat on a blue plastic chair with his worry beads. 

Alexandria Street 9, Egypt

Landscape Watercolour, Alexandria, Egypt, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs.

Another street market view in the central area of Alexandria fairly close to the port.  Yes the parasol covers are really low in places, and maybe they all started off life in different colours but the strong sun has bleached them all to a neutral shade.  And just above the parasol level are a spaghetti like conglomeration of wires going backwards and forwards between the buildings.

Alexandria Street 8, Egypt

Landscape Watercolour, Alexandria, 15" x 11" on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs

Another Alexandria street scene and I think there's loads more to come as I took many photos on my visit.  They lend themselves so well to watercolour with the lights and the darks. This was quite a busy scene and working to a quarter sheet which is my norm, you have to decide what to leave out and it came down to missing cars and people - so imagine many more of both. I've left in the trademark yellow-topped taxis and ladies in traditional dress.

Alexandria Street 7, Egypt

Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 300 gms

My last painting of narrow Alexandrian streets for a bit and I tried to be a bit more adventurous with the initial wash and a bit of Alizarin Crimson on the right hand side to make the sense of darkness of the street yet still a bit of warmth.  Anyway hope I got the feeling of the heat of the place and the dusty ground.

Alexandria Port Gate, Egypt

Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 300 gms

Alexandria Port Gate and a chaotic scene of all forms of transport, cars everywhere, taxis, local buses, horse and cart, man and cart, and pedestrians trying to avoid it all.  Many red-bricked tower blocks remain unfinished in the area, presumably waiting for the day when funds permit their completion.

Backstreet Alexandria Egypt

Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford paper 140lbs

A typical backstreet in Alexandria.  Dust everywhere from a recent storm coming in from the North African Desert, and just adding to the general grime of the place.  But despite the dirt, Alexandria has great charm with the ochre coloured buildings and sharp shadows caused by the strong sun. I just had to get in my painting one of the ubiquitous yellow/black Alexandria taxis - even the bright yellows of the bonnet and boot gets through that saharan dust.

Alexandria Port entrance, Egypt

Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT paper 140lbs

Alexandria, second largest city in Egypt and situated in the North West of the Nile Delta.  The location of the port entrance is a magnet for eager city taxi drivers and horse & carriage owners looking for fares from visiting tourists.  At the time of my visit, the whole area was being excavated with huge new sewage pipes being laid, so not looking really at its best save for the gleaming mosque with it's bright white facade and golden dome.