This plein air watercolor is of the church in the center of little Terrugia. The saying 'castle on a hill' makes me think of Italy... only it was a church on a hill that was the stand out point of any city on the horizon. As you drove along the hills and valleys of the countryside anytime you saw a cluster of buildings in the distance it was always set off by the steeple of the local church. Most of the churches that we saw were relatively ornate... especially the ones in the bigger cities. … [Read more...] about Church on a Hill in Italy – Plein Air Watercolor
Rose Garden, Italy
The plein air watercolor of the house with the brown shutters I've titled "Rose Garden". I sat on a bench in a little triangle of grass with a border of flowers all around just across the road from the house. In fact there were many houses with flower gardens...all of them fenced in. I asked Claudia (the woman from the company where Glen was taking classes who gave us advice about things to see while we were there) about it, she said she thinks it's because most people don't own very much land … [Read more...] about Rose Garden, Italy
Morning in Italy
Every morning in Italy Glen and I sat down to a breakfast that was Buonissimo, a veritable feast of everything breakfasty (though after day three I reverted to my bowl of raisin bran [they had that too] and ? cream [that was the one thing I missed about the U.S. -milk- I am after all from the dairy state] for fear I would no longer fit into any of my clothes). Afterward I'd wave goodbye to all the guys as they left to attend their classes for the day. Returning to my room I'd gather my paint … [Read more...] about Morning in Italy
Plein Air painting in Italy
This is the beautiful Ariotto Hotel Ristorante in Monferrato, Terrugia Italy. The watercolor of the Ariotto is a plein air painting, which means it was done on site in the open air. Having the opportunity to sit on the street corners in Italy and paint the beautiful surroundings was a once in a lifetime experience. … [Read more...] about Plein Air painting in Italy
Gouache vs. Oil
Designer gouache is particularly difficult to work with when trying to do portrait work...it dries so fast and therefore doesn't want to blend well. A more loose almost impressionistic look would probably be easier. I always found it easier to work with on smoother metal surfaces as opposed to toothier surfaces like paper and canvas. I prefer working in oils as for this portrait. … [Read more...] about Gouache vs. Oil