What is it about this old steel mill?

I keep returning to this now derelict old steel production site. There is something about the complex shapes and signs of rust and wear I find very interesting. I guess that is fairly common for artists, to favour older, more worn objects (and ditto people...?).

The local steel mill, painted in gouache, July 2026. About 2,5-3 hrs. 20cmx15cm

This is the same mill as below, from a different viewpoint. People would come up to me as I was drawing to have a look and comment. One person even commissioned me to do a painting for him there and then. Funny how a small sketch pad is a big ice breaker. What inspired me was the contrast between the green vegetation and the rust-red buildings. Also the organic forms vs. the industrial sharp lines. I guess this kind of relates to my previous post, with cylinders and cubes etc. This was also done in direct (not diffused) light. I actually did it in to sittings, and came back another day to finish - at the same hour and with the same weather..! The trees in the foreground could be darker. I don't think this scanned well. Need a better camera.

Old steel mill, "part 2". Acrylics, 2026

My second version of the motif in a previous blog post. Sorry for repeating myself. But I am happy with this, maybe mostly with the sense of space. Notice the seagulls that are strategically placed to draw the eye into the picture. I sold this one, it was part of an exhibition in May 2026.

In the next post I will get back to more thoughts on how to draw better.