Midday sun, Lucca

On a day trip from the watermill to Lucca, I was able to get a rough study done of this in oils, then finish it at home once back from Posara. The light is so strong of course and it makes for some interesting and difficult painting decisions, notably how dark to go in the shadows, which is often where the subtle colour notes are and where it is easy to get tones wrong. Earth colours with cobalt violet provided the warmth and I was aware that too much cool colour might jar, so I used grey (from white and black) to grade the colours into the shadows. I loved the sharp direct shadows. Lots of thickish paint but scumbles showing through in the wall left; done on a toned panel.

The Mill lane, Posara

Based on my first study of the lane going up to the village from the Watermill, this oil was done on canvas. At first painted alla prima – in one wet – then adjusted later as some of the original painting was far too clumsy. But clumsy is okay! If done outdoors direct from the subject a certain integrity to the work is gained and rough edges are therefore compensated for to a degree. Pastel greens with earth colours are the mainstay and I used cool quiet blues to contrast with the warm earths. The marks made were somewhat vigorous these then being contrasted with more careful touches.

Posara lane

An oil study demonstration done on the spot for painters at the Watermill, this was on a toned panel quickly scrubbed in with loose strokes and thin colour – warm against cool – after and over which, once the paint was a bit drier, thicker colours were placed. It was adjusted later on to give a more considered piece, but essentially it was secured on the spot. The palette included cobalt violet, yellow ochre and burnt sienna with the greens worked up using these and viridian, permanent green and my usual two blues.

Quiet afternoon, Terenzano

A traditional watercolour after a wonderful lunch done as a demonstration to the holiday group using an easel and standing to paint it. There was no underpainting as is my preferred style, as conditions were too drying. Instead a series of patches was painted directly, working from cool to warm as appropriate. Cobalt violet with the earths for the war colour was contrasted with cobalt blue and ultramarine in the shade. Great subject this and eventually bought by one of the guests!