Monday 29 March 2010

Open to the Public

watercolour and ink sketches







I finally managed to get into the gardens of Villa San cataldo, behind my daughter's school.  I've been curious for a long time and at last the gardens were opened to the public, if only for the weekend.
It is an enclosed garden originally belonging to a 'high' aristoctat family.  It has a geometrical pattern to it's footpaths decorated with seats, fountains, pillars and vases.  I thought it was very romantic, lots of hidden corners and places to sit.  Although it is now mainly orange and lemon trees you can imagine how elegant it was.

This is a photograph of a raised terrace and trees, the same one as in my drawing of 'An enchanted garden'
here .  It was lovely to see it close up and not just from the road, hopefully it will be opened more often and I can do some more sketches.  There was so much to absorb in just one afternoon, it was like having a box of chocolates and having to choose my favourites, does that make sense?

18 comments:

Alex said...

Chocolates teehee! It makes total sense there. The garden is lovely, but the drawings are even more lovelier :) I just like how you work with the colors and all.

nanke's stuff said...

As always your sketches are wonderful. What a terrific place to go for sketching and painting. Imagine living in a place like that .... I can't! lol nancy

Gillian Mowbray said...

Oh how delightful. I do adore pen and ink sketches with lashings of colour and I can just feel the warmth of the sun as I view these.

We're due to get some more snow later this week - just as the daffodils finally open- so I'm even more envious than usual, Cathy. x

Peachtreeart said...

I love the "softness" of your colors!

Janene said...

Beautifully done! I can almost imagine myself there...

Dan Kent said...

Great sketches, well done, and well painted! What a great place to sketch!

Sandra said...

Enjoyed your sketch more than the photograph. You have such an appreciation for the place that it shows in your sketches.

Johanna said...

I agree with Sandra, I enjoy your sketch more than the photos, so I hope to see more sketches of this enchanthed garden soon!

donna said...

Really good work on the sketch!

Timaree said...

Glad you got to get into the garden. I love your sketches.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place - and so many things to sketch. Your sketches are lovely and I think the garden is still very elegant! Hope you can get there again, for more sketching!

Shirley said...

I always look forward to your sketches from Sicily! I love your drawing/painting style!

frayed at the edge said...

I just want to look at the blue sky in the photo .... it's snowing here!! (oh, I love the drawing too)

Anonymous said...

The sketches are marvelous! I love your drawing style, ink and such soft color. The gardens look like such a lovely treasure, enjoy them!

debra morris said...

Beautiful sketches, love the garden...(after spending the last few weeks drawing/painting a Hong Kong street scene I can really appreciate the beauty of Sicily)

Cathy Holtom said...

Thankyou everyone for the lovely comments, sorry to anyone who has snow at the moment..it's getting warmer here everyday!

Ellen Burkett said...

Great drawing with fabulous colors. Love them!

Unknown said...

Oh, this page is so beautiful too ! I love the delicacy of your drawings. And the locations are great :)