Vegan Waterecolours

I've just had the pleasure of reviewing an intriguing new range of watercolours, intriguing because they are vegan - no animal products.

The palette is quite unusual in that it's very organic, Colors of Nature as they are labeled by the Canadian manufacturer.  There are lots of Siennas and Umbers.  The brightest pigment is the Ultramarine and there is a good Chromium Green.  This is a plaette that is a natural for landscapes and probably portraits, as the pigments dilute down to ver soft washes.  Good granulation and a beautiful range of greys is achievable.  I'm missing a clear bright red.  The Real Red is very much an Indian red.  This palette is certainly tailormade for Tuscan landscapes and architecure.

The paints come in little pots and are very reasonably priced.  Good luck to Colors of Nature - http://colorsofnature.com

Sketching in Rome

 From our room with a view

Largo di Torre Argentina

We recently had the good fortune to spend three days in Rome staying in a delightful suite overlooking the ruins in Largo di Torre Argentina. 

How did I score three days in Rome?  Well, Italy happened to be playing Ireland at Rugby in the old Olympic Stadium.

I would probably have been bored to tears had Italy not won!

The highlight of the trip (for me) was discovering a wonderful little kosher restaurant in the old Ghetto where I finally saw how to prepare Carciofi alla Romana.  The fridge is now full of globe artichokes.

Patonga Pelican Linocut

 Linocut 10 cm x 13cm

One of my favourite things about going home to Australia is to see the pelicans at Patonga.  Well it won't be long now but in the meantime I've made this two plate linocut.  Not sure which I prefer.  I think the first one.