Wednesday 28 August 2013

Windows and Balconies































A typical corner of a little Sicilian town.  This little corner belongs to the town of Lipari on the island of the same name.  It was late afternoon and I just happened to glance up and see the shutters, balconies and shadows, while everyone else was checking out the little shops along the road.
Sometimes the best views are the unexpected ones.

20x 17cms Watercolour and gouache


Wednesday 21 August 2013

String of Onions

























I bought a string of onions, it wasn't my intention to paint them.....but they were just too pretty not to.

I 've painted red onions many times but I never tire of their glorious reds, purples and pinks.  Sometimes I see a lorry loaded up and selling them on the side of the road and I'm tempted to stop and take pictures, but I think that many onions might be just a little bit ambitious!

This is mixed media - watercolour with coloured pencil and pastel scribbled on top.

Sunday 18 August 2013

Summer Sketching






It's a hot August bank holiday and everyone flocks to the beach in search of a cooling dip in the sea.
The best time of the day is late afternoon when the sun is low and has lost some of its heat.  Spotted on a local beach was this old man paddling and holding up his shorts to keep them dry.








On another day I sat behind a couple who quietly watched everything that was going on.
This one got a bit messy as I went along! 
























You could just settle for a walk on the seafront and a delicious Italian icecream :-)

Saturday 10 August 2013

Liquid Patterns




























There was a perfection reflection of the cathedral in the still water until a pigeon touched the surface  to drink and the surface of the water dissolved into a shimmering liquid abstract pattern.
The 'fountain' is inside the peaceful and quiet Cloisters of Monreale Cathedral.

Coloured pencil 21x 16cms