Sunday, April 20, 2008

Sketch & Some Tuscan Sun Photos


Watercolour & Lamy Pen with Sepia Ink - Moleskine WC Sketchbook

I packed my kit and head outside to sketch today. I'm a bit rusty and have a lot of trouble juggling a tin of watercolours outside and everything gets a bit wishy washy, using a water brush. Anyway Sketching Season has only just begun, there's always room for improvement. For the first time today I noticed that this little street is called Vicolo Buio - Dark Alley!

After I finished sketching, I took the long way home. Here are some photos for those of you who'd like to share my walk.









Castiglion Fiorentino is currently marking the anniversary of the passage of the liberating army that fought its way though the town during WWII. This photograph is hanging in the main square (above). Can you see the bomb crater in the road on the right side of the photo? That's the town , on the hill ahead.


And this last one is for Joan, who noted recently just how dead these little Italian villages are when all the shops shut and everyone goes home for a long lunch.

16 comments:

Joan said...

Robyn, Your plein air is perfect...so Tuscan!!! I want to be there. The photos of your walk bring back such memories. I love the last one of the empty street. I always wanted to yell out "Where is everyone?" Even in Venice which is so crowded with tourists, if you go off the beaten track there isn't a soul around. Thanks for sharing these!

Katiejane said...

Hi! I stumbled upon your blog only today and I just wanted to tell you what a gifted artist you are. I love the mediums that you use and wish I could have your talent. I find your subjects exciting as well. I will be back.

Sue Seibert said...

Your plein air is beautiful, and the photos are fascinating. BTW, I love the brush sketch below!

dinahmow said...

Thaaanks for the mem-or-ree...the golden Tuscan sun...
OK I'll stop now!
That's a lovely, light result with a water brush, Robyn.I usually just use mine to "wash" Aquarelle colour.I should try it a "proper" brush!

Jennifer Rose said...

Wonderful sketch :D Love the street's name lol

Those photos are so bright and sunny! Great walk home :)

Jeanette Jobson said...

Beautiful watercolour sketch Robyn. Isn't it great to get outside again after a dull cold winter?

Those images make me ache to come to Italy. Sigh...

Elizabeth A Patterson said...

Thank you, Robyn, for sharing your walk, and your lovely watercolor sketch. I love those arches that connect two buildings across a street... always wonder what it's like inside.

After looking at this post, I am simply LONGING to be in Italy again!

Stacy said...

Robyn, your walk is much more interesting than mine ever are! If I lived near you I don't think I would need a treadmill. Your sketch is lovely. Does that little "bridge" connect two homes?

caseytoussaint said...

What a wonderful place you live in! Your sketch is wonderful, and it looks like you've got plenty of material to do more...

Susan's Scribbles said...

I like your sketch - can't wait to see more! And what a lovely walk home you had!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Many thanks to you all. I'm encouraged to keep up sketching outside this summer. I took lots of photos of doors yesterday, too. I'll post them later in the week.

Stacy - I'd rather walk anywhere than get on a treadmill! I think the bridges over the streets used to connect common property but these days the seem to be owned by one of the properties and closed off at the other end. They do make beautiful little rooms. I'd like one as a studio. We actually have our own little bridge across a tiny street to our garden and terrace but it isn't a covered bridge.

By the response to these photos I think I should be working for the Italian Tourism - I do hope you get here one day Jeanette and Liz.

Anonymous said...

Love your sketch robyn...see no trace of rust! Haven't you done a sketch of that second photo too at some time..it looks familiar. Or maybe it's a hint? It is so beautiful around you there, every corner is just a potential painting!
ronell

Making A Mark said...

Great sketch and great photos

I vote for a 'one mile from my Tuscan home' summer sketching daily jaunt. Leave The Gardener to get on with the garden while you stretch Dermott's legs! ;)

Jennifer Lawson said...

Beautiful watercolor sketch of Vicolo Buio.

Laura Frankstone said...

Oh, you really captured the light in your top sketch!! And I LOVED being taken along with you on your walk. We were talking with some English friends about going together next summer (2009)to Italy and I told them that seeing you was very high on my needs/wants list!
I think Katherine's idea is a fantastic one, btw.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Ronell - No, to my shame, I've never risen to the challenge to sketch it. I may have posted a photo before though. Thank you:)

Katherine - The only flaw in your wonderful suggestion is that Dermott would never sit quietly while I sketched. He's also prone to get into strife with other dogs (who hate him because he's so big). He can stay at home with The Gardener and will have the early morning to myself.

Laura - Ha! My photo ploy worked. I was wondering how to lure you here. That is great news!

Thanks again everyone, for your support.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...