Written by This was another quick earlier sketch from #DrawingAugust that I decided to doodlewash. The Flame of Liberty in Paris, France is a full-sized, gold-leaf-covered, exact replica of the flame in the Statue of Liberty’s torch, as a symbol of Franco-American friendship.
I used a very different palette for this one just to try something new. This one consists only of Quinacridone Gold, French Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Orange, Indigo and Payne’s Gray. It’s always been a bit overcast and rainy when I’ve been in Paris, so I decided to try and make the sky and scene look more like what I’m used to seeing there.
The flame is perhaps more famous for becoming an unofficial memorial for Diana, Princess of Wales after her 1997 death in the tunnel beneath the Pont de l’Alma. The flame became an attraction for tourists and followers of Diana, who fly-posted the base with commemorative material and many people who visit it mistakenly think the flame was built for her.
As my virtual tour of France begins to comes to a close in the next couple days, I thought it was fitting to include this link between the US and France. Although it may be a little while before Philippe and I will be heading back there, it’s been fun to go there each day in my sketches. I hope you’ve also enjoyed the trip!
I sure have enjoyed the virtual trip! Hope you two can go back there sooner than you expect. This painting has terrific perspective!
Thanks so much Teresa! We’ll figure out a way to go back. Glad you liked the trip and thanks for coming along! 😃
How can you say quick sketch though it has perfect perspective, proportions, self explanatory forms! doodlewash Rocks! 😀
Very nice!
Okay…seriously, I’m blushing now Snehal!! 😊 Thank you so much for the kind words. That’s so sweet!! This wasn’t as quick as I’d like to do. My goal is to get super fast to capture things in a looser style. But that will take a lot more practice! I still tend to fuss a bit over the details. 😊
Like your colors and AMAZING details! Wow!!! 😊
Thanks so much Jill! It was fun playing with a limited palette I’ve never used before! Glad you like it! 😃
Indigo is a really hard colour to handle, but you seem to lay it our nicely. I recommend Neutral tint… I love that colour
Thanks so much Edvin!! Yay…more colors to try. Hehe…I feel like colors are little candies and I want to try them all. 😊 My wallet would stop talking to me though. (Wait…saying my wallet talks to me makes me sound crazy! Lol)
Nice work, Charlie. I always enjoy the perspective in your paintings. You do a beautiful job with it. And as always, great detail. Enjoy your Sunday!
Thanks so much friend! You’re sweet! I tend to love scenes with a lot of perspective. Guess I’m getting better at it since I keep choosing reference like that! Hehe. Have a fantastic Sunday!!
Oh no, the Paris/France tour just can’t end. I have loved all your beautiful paintings and commentary. This one of the flame and memorial of Diana is so touching. I love the gray undertones, it really makes the gold flame pop. I appreciate that you list the paints you have used and even the paper from time to time.
I loved seeing the flame in person but so nice to revisit it in your painting!
Ahh Cathe! Thank you! So happy you’ve enjoyed the visit with me! I’ll still be taking you places in September, but am going to try more live sketching and doing some doodlewashes closer to home! 😉
Charlie, I’ve really been enjoying your sketches of France. Thanks so much for focusing there. This flame is another wonderful sketch. Great work!
Thanks Kirk! And thanks so much for coming along on the French journey! Appreciate it! Join me next month back at the Paris of the Plains! Hehe
I enjoyed the journey too! I really like this sketch, you captured the rainy mood quite well. What a wonderful sky again!!!
Ahh thanks Ann! I really appreciate that! Was trying to break away from my typical happy blue sky! Hehe…thanks for coming on the journey, new journeys ahead!!
Another lovely painting! Great sky and atmosphere, (I adore gray and rainy days), you captured it beautifully. And the flame sculpture has a nice warm glow, rather fitting. Thank you for the tour.
Ahh thanks Haunani! I like foggy days as well, but haven’t learned how to make fog yet! Hehe…so happy you’ve enjoyed the tour! 😃