Tobacco Shop, London, 2004

This painting depicts the storefront of an old tobacco and pipe shop, likely located on a commercial street in a British city. The scene is composed from an oblique angle that follows the line of the façade and draws the eye towards the background of the street, creating a strong sense of depth.

The first elements to catch the eye are the large signs in the shop window—"HAVANA" and "Sautter PIPES"—painted in a classic typeface using ivory and gold tones that stand out against the dark background. These elements not only identify the establishment but also serve as compositional focal points, balancing the visual weight across the painting.

The shop window glass is the true protagonist. Layered upon it are street reflections, transparencies, and glimpses of the shop's interior. Indistinct figures can be made out—people conversing or attending to the shop—without being fully defined. This ambiguity transforms the scene into a blend of reality and reflection, allowing the viewer to observe both the exterior and the interior simultaneously.

The colour palette is dominated by greys, blacks, earth tones, and ochres, with subtle warm accents in the gold lettering and occasional reddish or violet reflections. The contrast between the dark areas of the glass and the bright white highlights creates a damp, almost London-esque atmosphere, reminiscent of the filtered light of an overcast day.