Enjoy the process!

Statue of Nettuno, detail - watercolour on paper Fabriano Artistico 300 gsm

As I've finished teaching most workshops for this year, 
I finally have time to go through all the impressions and memories.
 I feel lucky to meet so many interesting and wonderful persons from different countries, 
sharing my passion in watercolour painting!
I really enjoy every single painting session, and I hope - I feel - most students do, as well.
The hard part is to decide how much theory I should teach 
- I'd really want to invite everybody to just enjoy the moment: 
the fluidity of the watercolours, the incredible colours that emerge from the the washes
 and some accidental happy surprises.
The nature of watercolour includes accepting also unplanned results!
Of course some basic knowledge is necessary - but then I think you should just...
Enjoy the process!

The painting above is an example of an unplanned painting, a happy coincidence?!

a sunset wash on paper 300 gsm

The background  wash started out as a demonstration of fluid painting 
during an inspiring sunset painting session in August. 
The result was similar to this one above.
 As usual, I didn't have time to finish it in any way, but as I liked the colours I kept it for another moment.
Some time ago it emerged amongst other washes and paintings,
 while I was watching photos of statues from Florence... and...
Suddenly this detail of the statue of Nettuno hit me -  a moment of inspiration 
- and the painting was done!


Yes, in this case I worked in a quite unusual way, 
since I adapted the painting to a previously painted background.
Fortunately there was light (white) in almost all the right spots, 
but not everthing worked pefectly well.
To get the three dimensional look, 
I had to adapt  the position of the figure to the background.
Compared to the real statue I also made some simplifications.
Did you notice which?!
 I added some structure, a hint of the wall behind, on the right part, and that's what I like less. 
Probably I should try to wash it away...
Anyway, I'm quite satisfied with this experiment, and think that maybe I could paint something else adapting these finishes and colours?

Changing the colors for a different atmosphere!!



'A corner of Tuscany - red sky' - 28x38 cm Fabriano artistico 300gsm

If you  saw my previous post about the watercolor workshop when I painted the first version of 
 'A Corner of Tuscany', this is the same house... 
As I was waiting for the first painting to dry, I started a new one.
I usually like to change something when I paint a new version, this time I decided for a red sky.

Obviously I also had to change the other colors.
As you can see the tree is purple,
but for the plants in the pots I decided for a cool green shade, 
because I felt that I needed some contrast to all the warm colors.

It's not easy to show all the shades of color in a photo, 
but if you look at both photos you can see how the atmosphere changed!

I'd love to know what you think, which version do you prefer?!


Loose Landscape Painting

A corner of Tuscany - Fattoria Poggiopiano 2016
28x38cm

The last years I have concentrated on loosing up my paintings. 
It has been a lot of work: experimenting, making mistakes...
A lot of fun, 
but also frustrating when you don't achieve satisfying results...

Obviously I started with my favourite subject, florals.
I also aimed to capture the movement of cyclists, in an abstract way (more here).
To get a different approach to landscape painting I attended a one day workshop with  
Italian Watercolor Artist Luciano Boscaini. 


detail   

 It is always interesting to see other artists work and I got practical advice and examples that I also love to share to my students.
For example about soft and hard edges , and letting  color  bleed - like you see on the roof (detail above).
This is something I love to use, AND VERY IMPORTANT when you wish to LOOSEN UP your paintings!
But until you see it from real, you don't really get it!
(I'll prepare a tutorial on this, soon)
He's definitely not for beginners, and also the level of the other participating artists was high!

I had a great time, and actually painted 3 paintings,

- I just can't stop painting, so in order not to overwork, I usually start a new one while the first is drying! -

so I'll prepare  more photos soon!

How to paint a landscape !

28x38 cm A House in Tuscany

As I promised I have a lot of photos for you :
Easy step by step instructions how to paint a watercolor landscape.
-
Come promesso:
Sotto trovi il procedimento passo passo per dipingere un paesaggio con gli acquerelli.


First draw the subject - then start with the lightest colors...
Comincia con il disegno - poi i colori più chiari...



Keep blocking in colors - remember to save some white and lights!
Aggiungi i colori con pochi dettagli -  ricordati di conservare del bianco e dei punti luce!

  Take a break! It's always good to stop for a while ...
 Prenditi una pausa! E sempre bene soffermarsi un attimo...

 - then add the darkest shadows and details!
See the (almost) finished painting on top and let me know if this helped you?!
To see a floral step by step go here or here!
-
- poi le ombre e gli ultimi dettagli più scuri! 
Vedi il dipinto (quasi) finito in alto e fammi sapere se questo ti è stato utile?!
Per vedere come dipingo i fiori vedi qui o qui!

Let's paint more together at Ancora del Chianti EcoBB & Art Retreat in Tuscany !