York Ghosts.

I found the last two paintings a  bit of a struggle because I haven't painted enough, so I decided to set myself a bit of a challenge. This painting  is 100 x 100cm, and is on a canvas that has been staring at me in my studio for a few weeks.
I decided on a view of the minster, something that I have avoided painting. I didn't want to paint it straight on; I wanted to show reflections of it, and include the minster as just something in the background. That seems to be pretty much what the minster appears to be to those who live in York; something in the background.
I like the buildings in York, and the streets. It is a great place for the light to bounce around. What I am really interested in though, are the reflections - those things that we can see, but we can't touch...that don't stand still and don't really exist. The real ghosts in York..

Day 1. Initial sketch, with the figure that will (probably) be going in the middle ground.

Reference photos, some of which are joiners.

 Blocking in the main shapes.

 Starting to establish a few of the structures.

Day 2.  Mapping out the reflections.

 Establishing the main colours.

 Day 3. Added a few details. I decided to paint it building by building; not my usual approach.

 .. ...working into the minster - the most difficult bit and adding some reflections.  

 ...worked into the shop n the left a little..

 A longer shot showing the reference photos. 

Day 4.  It's starting to come together a bit.

 Day 5. Today I added the objects in the jeweller's shops. the panelling and the street furniture. I need to let it dry off a bit again now so that I can work into the reflections in window, and start to add the figures.

Day 6. I've added he figures and some detail into the floor, and whilst this ought to be finished, they both need attention.