Watercolor painting of the old well in the center of Pienza, Italy
Watercolor painting 9 x 13 inches
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Pienza is one of my very favorite towns in Tuscany. Like many of the ancient hilltowns in Italy, there is an old, old well in the center piazza where the townspeople drew water in years gone by. I’m not sure if they are still in working order, but they still serve as a meeting place for the local teenagers, mothers with children and old men. When I got back home, I wanted to do watercolor paintings of these ancient monuments. I thought Pienza’s well was especially beautiful and I loved the way the sun highlighted it in the afternoon. The intense light in Tuscany made it easy to leave the white of the paper showing in most of my Italian watercolors.
Watercolor painting of a street in a Tuscan hilltown.
Watercolor painting 9 x 13 inches
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After we spent a week or so exploring Barberino, we ventured out to the other nearby Tuscan towns to paint. They were all beautiful in their own unique and fascinating ways. Montepulciano is well known for its wonderful red wine but is also a lovely spot for watercolor paintings. We wandered around and checked out each street in the small town. The reference photos helped me live the beauty of that area when I painted Italian watercolors back in my studio.
Watercolor painting of people shopping at an open air market in Italy.
Watercolor painting 14 x 21 inches
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A couple of days a week the piazza in our little Italian town would be taken over by the weekly vegetable, fruit, meat, or fish markets. All of the townspeople would make their purchases for the week and then the market would move on to another town the next day.
I shot a lot of reference photographs to use for watercolor paintings later in the studio. I painted over 50 plein air pieces when I was In Italy, but also created quite a few paintings of Tuscany when I got back home.
Plein air watercolor landscape painting of a villa outside of Barberino in Tuscany, Italy.
Watercolor painting 15 x 5.5 inches
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Our midday meals were some of the wonderful high points of our trip to Italy a few years ago. This beautiful old villa was the location of a wonderful 8-table restaurant with the most amazing Tuscan cuisine. Wild boar-YUM!
We came back a few days later and asked if we could set up outside to do our watercolor paintings, I think they thought we were crazy to want to paint their old place but we thought it was beautiful and the perfect view for a painting of Tuscany.
Watercolor painting of a steps and a flower pot silhouetted against an arch in Tuscany, Italy
Watercolor painting 9 x 13 inches
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Around every corner in Tuscany, I found an interesting new scene to paint. The town we stayed in was built in the 1100s and it seemed that not much of the architecture had changed since then. As I worked on my watercolor paintings, I would think about the centuries of life that had happened on the streets of the small village of Barberino.
I’ve sold most of the paintings of Tuscany that I did on this trip but still have a few left. I’ll be painting many more Italian watercolors on my trip to Umbria.
Plein air watercolor painting of a beautiful old door in Tuscany, Italy.
Watercolor painting 8.5 x 11
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Today’s THE day! I’m leaving for a 17-day painting trip to Umbria, Italy. Our workshop will be held in a 16th century monastery that was converted into an art school 50 years ago. Everyday we will paint in the small hill towns of central Italy, eat delicious food and drink wonderful wine. Ahhhhh…
While I’m gone, I will be posting watercolor landscapes from my previous trips to Europe.
About 6 or 7 years ago, 2 friends and I spent 3 weeks painting in the little town of Barberino in Tuscany. It was my lifetime dream come true. We woke up every morning, grabbed a coffee at a little cafe and drove off to find a beautiful scene to paint. Then we’d eat a marvelous lunch, siesta, and go out to paint again. Heaven! This Tuscan painting was done right around the corner from our apartment in Barberino.
Plein air pastel landscape painting of a woodland stream lit by golden sunlight.
Pastel painting 8 inches x 11 inches
Another pastel painting from our second plein air trip to Parker Mill. I chose to paint the river again because the sparkling water was just too scrumptious to refuse. The sunlight cast a warm yellow reflection in the stream that really attracted me. It creates a natural pathway that leads you through the pastel landscape.
Plein air watercolor landscape painting of Round Lake from Charlevoix, Michigan
Watercolor painting 9 inches x 6 inches $80
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When we were in Charlevoix this spring, I sat near their newly reconstructed waterfront and painted this watercolor. The dock area was bustling and a lot of people stopped by to peak at my progress–always a bit disconcerting…
I always find it challenging to do a watercolor landscape of a lake or ocean (commonly called a seascape). You want the water to be believable, yet you need to do it quickly and not fuss over it too much. Watercolor can be very unforgiving. I can’t tell you how many of my paintings never see the light of day. Hopefully I learn something from every attempt. Lots of education starting in a few days in Italy!
Pastel portrail of a woman looking down while reading.
Pastel painting 10 inches x 14 inches
Unfortunately, we had another model who didn’t show for our figure drawing session last week…Fortunately, one of our artists offered to sit for the group! Nancy was so kind to give up her own drawing time for the good of the rest of the painters. We really owe her! I had to leave early to give a client her commissioned portrait, so I wasn’t able to do a very finished pastel portrait of her. But I think I was beginning to catch her likeness…
I was just recently notified that I had two works accepted into the Pastel Society of North Florida National Juried Exhibition. We travel to Florida in winter and I love to paint the Everglades en plein air. Below are the pastel paintings that will appear in the show at Northwest Florida State College from October 22-December 2, 2010.
Plein air watercolor landscape of a garden of sunflowers in front of a red barn.
Watercolor painting 9 inches x 6 inches SOLD
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Another watercolor painting created from my mobile studio in the back of my SUV. It is such a joy to head out to paint at a moment’s notice, knowing I am fully supplied and haven’t forgotten anything. Before I started carrying my painting supplies in my car full time, the thought of packing everything up was sometimes so overwhelming that I just wouldn’t go at all. Now I just fly!!!
This barn out on Scio Church road was so pretty with the sun flower garden that I stopped for a quick watercolor landscape.
Plein air Watercolor landscape painting of an old Victorian house and gardens.
Watercolor painting 9 inches x 6 inches $100
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I think I have painted this house on one of the main streets of Saline 3 or 4 times before, in both pastel and watercolor. I painted one version of it that is quite large and has sold very well as a giclee art print.
This time I did a quick watercolor landscape sketch while sitting under the shade across the street. The architectural lines of the house and surrounding porch are classically beautiful and the gardens leading up to it create a dynamic entry way.
Starting to pack art supplies for my painting trip to Italy. Unbelievably excited!!!
I was pleased to be able to create a very personal pastel pet portrait of this sweet little pup. It was a special birthday gift for my client’s friend. I worked from a photo and had never met this little gal, but her large, soft eyes indicated a quiet, docile disposition. Just the kind of dog I adore and a perfect subject for a pastel painting too!
Have an animal buddy that you would like to capture in a pet portrait? I’d love to help you out…
