St Mark's

Everyone who visits Venice would have been to St Mark's - the Byzantine cathedral decorated with the booty from the East. It's certainly the most fantastic building I've seen.


This painting was inspired by St Marks but it's not the colours of the real building which was too subdued to depict its richness and grandeur.

Venetian roofscape

Last year we were in Europe on vacation. And Italy being my favourite place, we were in Venice.


Our hotel was very close to San Marco but in a quieter part of the sestieri. Our rooms had this gorgeous view of rooftops. But my favourite time to admire this was at dusk when the whole place glowed with a soft golden light. Even now when I think of this view I get a warm feeling - how lucky for those who can feast their eyes everyday.

Spoleto in Umbria

Last year we went on a family holiday to Europe and rented this amazing farmhouse in Spoleto Umbria. The views were truly stunning looking past the olive groves down the valley with the mountain range of the Monto Sibillini in the background.


I finally found the time and inspiration to paint it. In acrylics as I made a mess of the watercolour attempt. I'm giving this to my sister who shared our holiday to remind her of good times.

Negative spaces and upside down

This week Susie revived her galloping cowboy on horse picture to force us to draw negative spaces upside down. It was as arduous as the last time. But effective in getting a good likeness, especially for difficult subjects.



Then we had a choice of scenes to do the same. I have always found buildings difficult but done the same way it wasn't too bad. Naturally the picture I copied was much simplified already... Much easier. Rowena thinks that we will all have to be bats if painting plein air.

Inspired

The technique of painting first then drawing was put to use with a venetian scene. Reader would know how bitterly I complain about painting realistic buildings. The trick it seems is to paint naively. It's an impression not an architectural drawing!


There was a lot of wet paint dribbling on this sheet. It was fun in a watercolour fun way. I then painted the lines in with acrylic paint. Never mind that everything's crooked.


And here is a painting of the path to our accommodation in Harden. We stayed at a beautiful place some miles out of the homestead. I must be inspired... these were all created on a weekend. Normally out swimming or socialising.