By the Thames: a pinch of mixed media

"By the Thames" captures the dynamic energy and bustling life of a cloudy day in London, set against the serene foreground of the River Thames. In the middleground, the vibrant strokes evoke the constant movement of people strolling, their colourful figures blurred in motion, representing the flow of urban life. Above them, a large, golden-hued tree stretches its branches toward the moody, cloud-filled sky, providing a striking contrast to the city's cold, busy streets.

In this painting, Pawita employed a dynamic mix of mediums to create depth and texture. The sky is painted using acrylics in an impasto style, where thick layers of paint are applied to capture the moodiness and movement of the London atmosphere. The bold, textured brushstrokes bring the sky to life, evoking a sense of weight and fluidity. In the middle ground, I allow the natural brown tones of the parchment paper to remain exposed, providing a warm, earthy base. Over this, the artist delicately drew with pastel chalk, using soft lines to depict the intricate details of the trees and human figures. This combination of acrylic impasto and pastel chalk creates a striking contrast between the rich texture of the sky and the more subtle, expressive forms in the middle ground, adding layers of depth and nuance to the scene.

The painting plays with contrasts—between the soft blues and purples of the overcast sky and the vibrant splashes of colour within the crowd, creating a harmony that reflects the balance of calm and chaos that London offers. The bold brushstrokes and textured layers of paint bring the scene to life, conveying the essence of a day where the familiar gloom of London’s weather is brightened by the relentless energy of its people.