Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus - Calatrava Bridge - Reichstag - Berlin Wall
My first painting of the Berlin government district this summer reflects the Mediterranean light, I started it like a watercolour, with only colour schemes to begin with. I then intensified the colours and put in the details of the building's architecture step by step. I was influenced by the Edward Hopper Basel Exhibition which I had seen in winter before the lockdown, and was happy to apply Hopper's rules of contrast.
Painting from the Calatrava Bridge
I started the second painting of the government district on the bridge of Calatrava, with great light but a lot of wind at the beginning. I literally had to tuck the canvas to the bridge with Ben Wagin's help.
As I went into detail, the light changed, the wind stopped and eventually the painting emerged in less intense colours but a very interesting atmosphere.
Exploring the Reichstag
The Reichstag seen from the Spreeufer is one of my favourites. I worked with the same light conditions for several mornings and enjoyed the life music, the bustle around and the boats cruising the Spree.
The reflections of the glass windows opposite the Reichstag "paint" a very interesting pattern onto the walls of the building in the morning light
Berlin Wall
Choosing the Berlin wall as a subject was the logical consequence after having painted the government district which is now located in the former area of the wall. I wanted to document the development and complete change of a historically important place, so I need to conjure up some of the former atmosphere. This section of the wall with a view to the other side in the Niederkirchnerstraße is quite emblematic for the situation in Berlin 30 years ago. I painted it on a rainy day, which made it difficult for oil technique, but my struggle with the weather somehow reflected this difficult part of our history.
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