Dauphine, Prologue: Looking for the Time

Richie Porte (BMC) racing for his new team (and new roll as the protected rider) flew up the mountain followed all the way up by a TV Moto.  Both Porte and the camera man were looking for the time clock to see just how fast the Tasmanian was going.  Porte was quick, fast enough to claim second place on the day, just four seconds behind the stage winner, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff).  By not claiming the lead on the first day of racing, Porte may well be saving his team a lot of effort in defending the Yellow Jersey of race leader.  The stage is now set for the opening day of road racing with the favorites all sitting in the top ten slots, with just twenty seconds between them.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company art supplies.  This painting is also available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  While you are there be sure to check out all of the cycling art, and other types of work, along with my two cycling books.  To purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  And yes, international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Criterium%20du%20Dauphine/2803627-40-185083/Painting.html#.V1TdrZErLIU

Book de Tour

"Book de Tour" is a collection of my small watercolor and ink paintings from the 2014 Tour de France completed as the race unfolded on my television screen, showing what I believe to be the key moments of each stage.  You'll understand my reasoning as each picture is annotated with my interpretation of what's happening and its importance in this high moving game of chess on wheels. I love to work this way because, as I paint, the story’s conclusion is unknown and, the significance of what I record, unclear until the winner triumphantly crosses the finish line. Cycling’s an unpredictable sport and I love to capture and convey its intensity.

Each of the Tour's 21 stages and the first ever Women's Professional race on the streets of Paris will form a separate chapter in the book and tell the story of this year's race with bold strokes and washes of color as I capture the key moves, lung-searing attacks and counter-attacks, adrenaline-rushing descents, heart-breaking crashes, set amid the glorious landscapes of England, Belgium, Spain and France. It's truly a tale worth telling visually.

The book is a soft cover 240 page collection adapted from many of the blog post that appeared here during the course of the race.  It includes many other additional paintings, a complete list of all of the teams and their riders who rolled out from Harewood House, and a glossary of terms.  This is a story of the Tour that will delight fans of cycling, officiandos and novices alike, but will be just as captivating for lovers of art and watercolors.  You need not love cycling and the Tour de France to savor this book, but it would hurt.

To pre-order you copy for $29.95 USD just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  International shipping is available.  The book is in final stages of the pre-press process and will be ready to ship on or about November 1, 2014.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Book%20de%20Tour/2426272-1-0-201710/Book%20Arts.html#.U_6NUs_D_IU

Tour Stage 8: One for the Road

The former French National Champion, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) was one of five men in the early break away, while all were strong riders, the peloton was less interested in chasing them down.  Chavanel was the best placed on GC in the break and he was over 19 minutes down on the Maillot Jaune.  Riders regularly drop back to their team car to get a bottle and to have a face to face, tete a tete.  Sometimes it is just better than talking on the radio.  This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company (www.richesonart.com).  In addition, this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be self published cycling art tome, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy, and to discover how you can become part of bringing the 101st Tour de France to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2401732-51-48-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8InWM_D_IU

Tour Stage 6: Postponing the Inevitable

With two of their break away companions already back in the embrace of the peloton, Luis Mate (Cofidis) looked over at Jerome Pineau (IAM Cycling) and sprinted off on his own.  Initially, Pineau gave chase to the Spaniard, and then thought better of the effort.  Mate may have only been postponing the inevitable catch by the peloton, but he wasn't going to be caught with out a fight.  After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  This image also caught my eye with the truly French tree lined road cutting through the wheat and flax fields on the northern flat lands.  This is an original small watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com  In addition, this painting will appear in my soon to be self published tome, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre-order your copy, or to get involved in bringing the art of the 101st Tour de France, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not browse around at all of the cycling art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2400102---199992/Painting.html#.U78oec_D_IU