Roses and berries in watercolor

Rose e bacche, 2016. 38x56 cm Fabriano Artstico 300 gsm - pigments W&N, St Petrsburg

I wish you a sunny August with this painting from last year.

When I'm teaching watercolor classes I certainly put the emphasis on a painterly style
and also in my own paintings I want to keep it loose.

Flowers are one my all time favourite subjects!
According to the season I can find a lot of inspiration in my garden or in the nature.
If there's not enough I'll combine bought flowers to what I find for free....
Here I was trying out my 3 new St Petersburg colors: yellow, red and turquoise green
that together mix into a cool purple grey shade.

The best thing is that when the flowers are gone - the painting stays and reminds you of the beauty!

Bikers in Chianti - original Watercolor

Ciclisti 38x56cm watercolor on paper 300gsm 

 Artistically there's a lot going on this year. 

While I'm continuing to teach watercolor lessons,

(I've met so many lovely persons!)

 I've also managed to take much more time for my own painting and drawing. 

I'm absolutely enjoying the outdoor painting sessions together with other artists

painting in and around Florence and Tuscany.  

Just now we are having a break because of the summer heat, 

but I'm continuing with the life drawing, since it's in the indoor studio.

There has been a big Art Show in Fabriano, Italy, and other smaller ones - some still upcoming.

I'm not posting much of my work as I feel that I'm in a limbo.

I'm experimenting a lot. 

I know the direction, but I'm not sure about the destination.

Just like these bikers above - one of the subjects I'm exploring at the moment.

(you can see earlier ones here and here)

I enjoy the trip, even if sometimes I struggle and hope to reach 

some kind of a pit stop soon! 

I'm surely evolving, hopefully improving - 

what do you think?! 

Spring flowers in watercolors - how to paint

Narcisi dal giardino, 2016 -38x56 cm fabiano 300gsm

Lately I have been concentrating on urban sketching and painting, but I usually love painting florals.

It's easy - they grow in my garden or I keep them on my table.

Earlier I painted realistic, even if not really botanical flowers, 

while I now prefer to simplify and catch the essence.

On the painting above you can notice a clear influence by the paintings of Jean Haines ;), 

only an impression of the flowers!

Floreale, 2016. 38x56 cm

I paint quite big, real size, which means that I often just  can't fit everything into the paper. 

That's one reason why I choose to paint only a part of them; 

the main reason is that I find it more dynamic and expressive as a composition.

This is how I proceed: 

I use a big brush, a lot of water and bright colors. 

Once the first wash is dry I will add darker details, little by little - trying not to overwork - 

this is the hardest part!

Then I leave it to rest, and some hours later, or even the next day I will see if I need to add something.

I some areas are too bright, I will use a glaze, often with a complementary color.

Thank you for reading,

Hope you enjoyed my spring flowers?!

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?