Saturday, May 26, 2007

La Fruttivendola

Cretacolor on Ingres Pastel Paper

This is the little Greengrocer's Shop in the square. La Signora doesn't speak any English, I didn't speak any Italian when we arrived but she always patiently attempted to engage me in conversation and correct my pronunciation. I've become very fond of her.

Today the village is full of visitors for the Festa Medievale. Lots of people wandering around in medieval costume.

I don't know what this guy did - probably didn't pay his TV licence.

17 comments:

Lin said...

WOW!!! That is absolutely GORGEOUS, Robyn!! Stunningly beautifully done!

And what IS it with that guy in a cage???? Mercy!

Joan said...

I love your drawing of the greengrocer's shop. Charming!! Is it in pencil? The white awning makes it look so perfect. The shops in Italy are all so unique...here we have such boring supermarkets that all look the same.

I'm glad we don't live in Midieval times. The cage doesn't look to comfortable.

Ciao!

mARTa said...

che historia tanti dolci....i hope that's italian and not french! I wish I had more time in Toscana and I'd love to see your village, it sounds like a place I could live! I love the sketch...what is cretacolor again? pastel pencil? Say buongiorno to the signora for me next time you are comprando frutta!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Lin - Thank you :) This little town changed hands a few times through war in the Middle Agese, so the cage was probably the soft option.

Joan - Many thanks. It's not pencil (see below).

Marta - Italy is full of little hill towns like this. I just happen to think ours is the best. The sketch is in Cretacolor Sanguine color - a 5.6mm lead made out of oily chalk. The white chalk is also Cretacolor. There is a nice lead holder for them. I had a bit of trouble with the leads breaking before I discovered that!

Anonymous said...

The toned paper is very effective, and those bits of white really make the drawing.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Dave - Thanks. One of the best things about the toned paper was that it only took a fraction of the time coloured pencils would have. Now I'm thinking about the possibility of sketching on watercolour washes.

Anita Davies said...

Oooh, where can I get me one of those cages?
LOL!
Nice sketch Robyn!

J. Nijholt-Strong said...

Oh! I'm going to go around today just saying "La Fruttivendola", it sounds so musical...love it! :o))
Great sketch Robyn!

I could use that cage for a little cat I know... hmmm.

Casey Klahn said...

Very, very, very compelling drawing.
I love it!
Of course, I am missing Tuscany, where I was 1 year ago today!
Do not think it crass of me, because your art is blooming in many directions at once. But this type of image may become a "breadbasket" for you. This one, and the watercolor of the window - a style and subject type that sing to be sold to a broader public.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Anita - Thanks. There's been quite a demand for the cage.

Judy - Thank you. As far as the cage goes, I think your need is greatest. ;)

Robyn Sinclair said...

Heck, Casey, I'm speechless. What an inspiring, wonderful comment. I put it down to you being caught up in the blissful memory of Tuscany last year. But I'm still speechless and adore you for making the comment.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Beautiful drawing Robyn...great mediums!
Ronell

Making A Mark said...

Robyn - try a darker colour (black conte?) with your sanguine and white. You'll find you get an even more powerful drawing. There's an awful lot you can do with those three colours - and of course it's very traditional in Italy. Great for drawing all those traditional views!

Anonymous said...

Very nicely detailed, Robyn

dinahmow said...

Lovely little illustrated snippets of life. Each time I come here my mind wanders back.
Grazzi!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Katherine - I appreciate your tip. I did have the other pencil with me and if you look closely you can see where I started to used it and then chickened out. I'll be bolder next time.

Karen - Thank you. I really enjoyed reading your blog about your preparation for your full sheet watercolour. I wish I'd read it a week ago and I wouldn't be in the mess I am currently with a watercolour that's become a mixed media and is still screaming disaster :)

Robyn Sinclair said...

Dinah - Thank you for dropping in. I'll try to keep your memories of Tuscany fresh.

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