Gladiolus

Gladiolus, watercolor 36 x 54 cm

The Gladiolus flower is a symbol of moral integrity and power. Does moral integrity bring power!? I want to believe that, although sometimes it doesn't seem this way...

Doors

Door 1, watercolor 22 x 30 cm

Doors 2, watercolor 22 x 30 cm

Although I photographed these doors in Valletta, they may be from anywhere in the Mediterranean region. I painted them a week ago but didn't find the time to post them.

Maltese Fishing Boats

Maltese Fishing Boats, watercolor 54 x 32 cm (n/a)

Maltese Fishing Boat, watercolor 22 x 30 cm

I passed through the fishing village of Marsaxlokk on the east shore of Malta, during a sightseeing bus tour this spring. I was quite disappointed that we were not allowed to get off the buss and all my photos of these picturesque boats have an added blue haze from the bus window. This is where painting comes handy - I could enhance the colors and change the scene as I like it :)

More from Valletta

Building in Valletta, watercolor 

Building in Valletta, charcoal sketch

A couple more scenes from Malta. In the top one the challenge were the intricate details of the building. In the end I decided to go against the architect's design and to align all columns and capitals so I can paint it in fewer lines. 

The bottom painting became too overworked. Nevertheless, I'm happy with the complex repetitive patterns - the row of parked cars and the multitude of covered balconies. Simplifying complex architectural subjects is not an easy task... 

Street in Valletta, watercolor 30 x 40 cm

Maltese balconies

Maltese balconies, watercolor 23 x 30 cm

These enclosed wooden balconies are one of the very typical characteristics of the Maltese architecture. Some are painted in bright colors, others have been neglected for decades. Some have elaborate carvings and decorations. Most are the size of a small balcony yet some of them are large and curve around the corner of the buildings. They are everywhere, sometimes hundreds of them in just one view.

Street in Valletta, charcoal sketch

Maltese balconies, charcoal sketch

Valletta

Valletta from the sea 1, watercolor 54 x 30 cm

Valletta from the sea 4,  watercolor 30 x 23 cm

A poisonous atmosphere at work has been killing my desire to paint and draining my creative energy for a couple of years now. Painting makes me feel better, but like today, often I have to force myself to take the brush. I'm glad I did, as I feel much better now.
These are four attempts at a view of Valletta, from a photo I took last month when approaching the city from the sea. It was an early morning, when the sea was still very calm. There were beautiful reflections in the water. I tried slightly different techniques, although in the end they all look very similar. There is something I like in each one, but most importantly, I enjoyed painting them.

Valletta from the sea 2, watercolor 40 x 30 cm

Valletta from the sea 3, watercolor 30 x 23 cm

Scenes from Valletta

Between the world cup, gardening and catching up at work I finally found some time and energy to paint. The two value sketches, done during a couple of football matches, helped to get the motivation for the large paintings.
These two I did following Alvaro's technique, which is perfect for city scenes with stark contrasts of light and shade.

Valletta, Republic Square, watercolor 54 x 40 cm

Valletta, Republic Square, charcoal sketch

Valletta, the Library, watercolor 54 x 40 cm

Valletta, the Library, charcoal sketch

Sketching people

I'm back from a longish trip, but haven't got back to painting. So, here are a few more pages from my sketchbook of people who happened to sit in the same place long enough to finish a sketch.

From the sketchbook

A few sketches from Bulgaria.

Tsarevets is a fortified hill where the medieval capital of Bulgaria was located. Not much is left from the buildings and fortifications, but the sight is picturesque nevertheless.

The other two sketches I did very quickly trying to capture a beautiful mountain view, before the rain clouds had gathered.

Tsarevets 1

Tsarevets 2

Iundola

Belmeken

From the garden

Yellow daffodils, watercolor, 30 x 22 cm

Purple iris, watercolor sketch

Primulas, watercolor, 30 x 22 cm