Work Continues: Umbria, 2021

Janelle & I have been busy with olive picking and general house keeping, but the work is still happening.

Weather has been an issue, as well. We had terrible cold winds for about 10 days, making plein-air painting near impossible, but I was able to get out and do some work in the fields...

I love my new pochade box!

 

I'm happy with the studio work I've done so far. 

We went to Florence to see a couple of exhibitions, and to buy more studio supplies. It's good to have what I need.

Working larger scale is always a good challenge.

Last week I tried painting on the studio floor.

Don't mind the studio slippers, please.
Keeps the rest of the house floors clean.

Painting in this way... It creates it's own opportunities, but it's own struggles.

I did enjoy it. The painting is still in progress.

"Europa", still a work in progress.

Painting Near Montefalco

Janelle and I took a little road trip last weekend, and I spotted an area I wanted to check out to paint.

We pulled down a side road and I set up to do a small plein-air oil. 

The light was good, still morning time.

I try to keep my painting gear in the trunk, so if I see an area that interests me, I'm ready. It's a lot of stuff to haul around, but that's part of the job.

I always start by laying in some lines and color, and then go from there.

Janelle takes a few photos, maybe a video...then she'll go walking or read a book. I just zone in on the work.

If I can find a good spot to pull the car over, it's great. If not, I have a kit I can carry out to the fields, or where ever.I like to find some shade for myself, ideally, but I always have my hat.

I'm working with this new Sienna pochade box, and really liking it. I bought it back home, and brought it in my luggage here, to Italy. I'll leave it here in my studio.

It's been slow getting started but I have a few small paintings done, and a couple of large studio pieces. 

So far, so good...

 

Work Begins In Umbria

Slowly getting back in the work mode here in Italy.

It has been almost two years since I've painted plein-air, and I've finally been out in the fields doing some small oil on panel pieces.

Also working in the studio on larger oil on canvas paintings.

I started with just a few small sketches, to loosen up.

I had to get shopping for canvas and more paint. It took a while just to get my plein-air 'kit' together and the studio set up.

One of two rolls of canvas I've finally got back to the studio!

We had a trip to Florence, where we made a visit to the Uffizzi...that got my juices flowing.

I've done a few small landscapes and have two big studio paintings in the works, so I'm getting it together.

I feel so lucky to have so much to be inspired by here.

In the studio

I bought one roll of prepped canvas, meaning it's already gessoed, and one roll of raw linen that I'm prepping myself.

Two completely different surfaces to work with in the studio.

It's always nice to just stop and sketch. I add color later on, with notes I've made while I draw.

 

I'll keep posting here, as well as on Instagram:

#galleryapodaca

#johnnymapodaca