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Fleet Street, London is an original oil painting by Nick Grove.
Painted en plein air by Nick Grove.
While in London to view an exhibition of recent works by Neale Worley at Panter & Hall, I came across this view along Fleet Street towards The Strand. I hadn’t painted here before, and with a long-term ambition to work across the whole of London, I decided to set up and respond to the scene.
The Temple Bar Monument forms a strong counterpoint to St Mary-le-Strand, and the play of scale between them immediately appealed to me. The overall tone of the scene echoed the raw sienna on my palette, giving the painting a warm, cohesive base. Pedestrian traffic here is relatively light, and the pavement unusually wide, allowing me to work without disruption. I chose a position near the bins—not the most glamorous location, perhaps, but one that offered a clear and effective angle down the street.
In the distance, a copper roof—possibly that of the Australian High Commission—caught the sunlight, glowing a vivid green. Any excuse to use viridian is welcome, though it’s a colour that demands restraint. Used carefully, it brings a quiet intensity to the painting.
