Tuesday 12 October 2010

Caves, Coves and a Storm!

Watercolour and coloured pencils

Another great day out, this time we went to 'Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve',  seven kilometers of windswept coastline in the West of Sicily and one of the most beautiful areas of the island. 
We followed a rocky path along the top of the cliffs with mountains rising on the other side.  This part of the coast is special because of the tiny rocky coves and caves scattered along the coast and the only way to get there is on foot, even boats are not allowed to moor here.  It was used for smuggling many years ago and well known bandits were supposed to have hidden out here too.


Normally the sea would be a beautiful turquoise colour but as you can see we didn't have the best day's weather.  In fact we got caught out by an amazing storm (quite frightening at the time, but so funny afterwards!).  We were miles from anywhere and no where to shelter apart from caves, so we battled on getting soaked right through to the skin, and to think I didn't go for a swim as I didn't want to spend the rest of the day in a damp costume!
I did get some sketching done sitting on a beach (before the rain).



Usually I draw then if there's time put down the basic colours in watercolour, finishing it off at home with coloured pencil.  In this case I quite liked the watercolour, so I left it as it is....naked!
My sketchbook actually got soaked too but dried out and survived and like my friend and I, lived to see another day!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I like the light, transparent style to these two pieces. It looks like a fresh, new summer morning, full of hope and wonder. I imagine you could redo this scene with bolder colors and it would look like a different sort of day. That might be fun to show it in all sorts of different weather.

Alex said...

They are both gorgeous. I am really drawn to the waters...it's beautiful and very well drawn! I love it

Unknown said...

An adventure for sure! Excellent drawings!

Unknown said...

I am beginning to enjoy seeing the basic work as well as the finished ones. I enjoyed your storm images, I would have enjoyed it for sure. Sicily looks more and more interesting. Great images and art :-)I love the way you have captured the wave movement in the cove as well as the rock, which is not so easy..
Thanks for the email btw, it all seems to be working ok now :-)

nanke's stuff said...

Oh how I would love to visit there and see first hand all the lovely places you show us in your beautiful work! nancy

Lynn said...

That looks like a gorgeous place! I see why you want to paint there. I like the naked drawing - it's very soft and pretty.