Behind the Brush: Creating My Bedford Town FC Painting Journey

Painting a football club scene is always a unique challenge. This week, I’ve been working on a piece featuring Bedford Town FC, a club from the National League North. Bedford is less than 30 miles from where I live, yet it’s a place I’ve rarely visited. I’ve only been there once or twice in my life, so this project has given me a fresh perspective on a local area I don’t know well. The painting process has been interesting, with some unexpected hurdles along the way.

Starting the Bedford Town FC Painting

I began by sketching out the entire scene in pencil. This initial step is crucial because it sets the foundation for the whole painting. I wanted to capture the essence of the club’s ground and surroundings, so I paid close attention to the layout and key features. The first attempt went well until I reached the sky wash. I wasn’t happy with how it looked, so I decided to scrap that version and start again.

The sky wash is a tricky part of any outdoor scene. It needs to blend smoothly and set the right mood without overpowering the rest of the painting. Unfortunately, the heatwave we’ve been experiencing caused problems during drying. The paint dried unevenly, leading to an effect called blooming.

Understanding Blooming and Its Impact

Blooming happens when wet paint or clean water touches an area that is already semi-dry. The excess liquid rushes in, pushing the pigment aside and leaving a flower-like edge. This texture can be beautiful when intentional, but in my case, it was an unwanted blemish. The blooming was too obvious to ignore, and it disrupted the smooth sky I was aiming for.

Sometimes, you can hide these marks with trees, floodlights, or other elements in the painting. However, the composition of this scene didn’t allow for that. The sky is a large, open area, so the blooming stood out clearly. I’ll include an example below to show what blooming looks like for those unfamiliar with the effect.

Example of blooming effect in watercolor sky

Moving Forward with Take Two

After binning the first version, I started fresh. This time, I took extra care with the drying process. I worked in smaller sections and used less water.. Using less water means you generally have to work faster especially in the middle of the 30+ degree heatwave. This approach helped me avoid the blooming problem and gave me a much cleaner sky.

The rest of the painting is coming together nicely. I’ve focused on the details of the turnstiles and the supporters, Bedford Town FC’s ground has a modest but charming feel, which I wanted to capture. The colours are balanced, and the lighting reflects a late afternoon match atmosphere.

Print Options and Availability

Once the painting is finished, I’ll offer a range of prints in different sizes and formats. These will be available in a few months, just in time for the Christmas season. It might seem early to mention Christmas, but planning ahead ensures everything is ready for those looking for unique gifts or decorations.

Prints will include:

• Framed and unframed Fine Art prints

• Framed and unframed posters

• High-quality Framed and unframed canvas prints for a textured finish

• Printed 11oz printed ceramic mugs

  
  

This variety allows fans and collectors to choose the option that suits their space and budget.

What’s Next on the Easel?

With Bedford Town FC nearly complete, I’m considering what to paint next. It’s been a while since I tackled a retro scene, a cityscape, or a famous landmark. Each of these subjects offers different challenges and opportunities for creativity.

For now, I’m keeping my options open. The Bedford Town FC painting has been a rewarding project, and I’m excited to see where the brush takes me next.