Oxford University Press Bookshop

For many years, 116–117 High Street was the home of the Oxford University Press Bookshop. A victim of the Covid Pandemic in 2020, it never reopened. The shop is still around, but is now located within Blackwells on Broad Street.

This painting was created for a competition for a new logo for the High Street store back in 2013. It was shortlisted and came runner up. Painted blue, how could it be any other colour? Well perhaps it should be dark blue, after all, that is the Oxford colour. The light blue does complement the darker woodwork, so we might forgive its use in this instance.

Creation: Masking fluid is painted onto watercolour paper to create an image. This is covered with a watercolour wash and covered with clingfilm. The picture is further developed using acrylic inks once the film is removed. The masking is removed after several layers are added and allowed to dry. Revealing the final picture.