Sunny day in Aix-en-Provence

Another sunny scene in an attempt to bring some warmth and sunshine to all friends in eastern and southern  Europe, suffering through an unusually cold and snowy winter.

Flower market in Aix-en-Provence

Flower market in Aix, Arches, 30 x 40 cm

Pont du Gard

Arches 43 x 33 cm (n/a)

Yes, this is the place of the "Riverbank" from the previous posting. Pont du Gard  in Provence,  is the largest preserved ancient roman bridge. It was part of a 50 km long aqueduct, which used to carry water to the city of Nimes. Right above the lowest level of arches is the bridge for crossing. The water was flowing in a closed channel above the top (third) row of arches. Luckily, only a small part of it was destroyed in the middle ages, when most ancient buildings were used as sources of building materials.

Lyon before the rain

Last year after a trip through southern France we spent an afternoon in Lyon. After following a series of watercolors by Yves Pothier from that city the previous winter, I wanted to see the narrow streets with stairs in the old town. Unfortunately, the weather was not very favorable. It was overcast and threatening to rain. Eventually it did. But I cannot complain - this was the only rainy day in a ten-day vacation.
This painting didn't turn out the way I wanted. I overworked the sky, which is the most prominent part if this view, and it all went from there...

Light and shadow

Curry's artist 200 lb paper (n/a)

Just a small study on shadows...I came across a photograph, where the facade of a building was slightly overexposed and its yellow-orange color came out only in the shadows. I found this intriguing so I did a fragment of it.

Spring in Provence

The ruins of a local chateau are perched on a hill in the center of the village of Eygalieres. From there one has a beautiful view of the valley and the distant mountains.

Again in Nice

I wanted to do this one in as loose and free style as I can. I also wanted to make the colors and contrast in the foreground stronger. Both goals are partially achieved. Learning is a process and I fully enjoy it.The first one is 7.5 x 11 (19 x 28 cm) and the second one is tiny - only 5 x 7 (13 x 18 cm)

Street in Arles

Another cityscape after a photograph from last summer's vacation.

Chapel at Eygalières 2

This is a second attempt on the same subject. I wanted to make the chapel more prominent by bringing it closer and painting it in more vibrant colors.

Chapel at Eygalières

 This picturesque chapel is near the little Provencal village of Eygalières. And no, this isn't me there with the easel. There really was an artist painting on location when I visited.
As for the painting, as usual, there are things that turned out well and others that I do not like much, and would improve. Yet, it is a good picture with which to wish you Merry Christmas!

 This was the small sketch I made beforehand, to figure out the composition.

Street in Nice

I started this as a sketch on the back of a discarded picture. Wanted to do it in a very loose and free style. It started off well, but by the end I kept fussing and fiddling. Well, that's part of learning.
This is in the older part of Nice, where the streets are narrower, and the buildings have the typical local style.Painting these pictures brings back nice memories from last summer...

In Roussillon

Another street in the village of Roussillon. Strolling through the streets was pleasant in the morning, but by noon they were packed with tourists.

Gordes

Another provencal village perched on a hilltop. The houses here are not painted and have the natural color of the stone.

The village of Roussillon

A view of this picturesque village in Provence, perched on a hill, with all its houses painted in the hues of orange.

A street in Roussillon in color

The view from the previous tonal sketch, now in color. I struggled with the wall colors, which kept turning out too flat. This one is my second attempt and I like it a bit better, so I'm posting it.

Une rue à Roussillon

Roussillon is a picturesque village, perched on a hilltop in Provence. All its houses are painted in the nuances of orange, due to the ocher quarries located close by. Which, of course, means that I have to do this picture in color.

Some older ones...

A path in Vitosha - 2009 (n/a)

Window in Yvoire, France - 2009

Doors in Tunis - 2009

Apple blossom - 2010 (n/a)

River - 2010 (n/a)

Autumn lake - 2010

I made this one below a few years ago, when I read somewhere about the wet-in-wet technique. I used ordinary paper and kid's watercolors in a box from the dollar store. It turned out quite good, mostly by chance. This picture kept alive my intention to start painting at some point.

Sunset over the sea - 2005 (n/a)