A Stop In Montepulciano To Paint

Last weekend, we had a sunny bit of weather, so we decided to take a drive into the Val D'Orcia. 

This is an area of Tuscany that is famous for several hill towns and gorgeous views. We try to drive over at least once every trip. It's about 45 minutes, and the drive drive through the countryside is beautiful.

We always take time to walk through Montepulciano...it was one of the first places we stayed in Italy almost 20 years ago, and it holds a special place in our hearts. 

Johnny wanted to paint in the main square, and it was a perfect day to do it, as there were hardly any people around. The upside to being here off season!

Johnny looks so tiny standing next to this old building.
I like to get a shot just as he's setting up to paint.

The subject today.

As always, I took a nice walk while he worked, and came back to see what I had missed...

Almost finished....

 

One of the many paintings that will be exhibited here next year.

I'm working on a post on my other site, Live Pronto, about the day in Val D'Orcia...it was a good adventure on a lovely November day!

Painting The Village

The weather is really changing with the season...we've had lots of strong winds, on and off rainstorms and the days just got an hour shorter... But we're still happy to be here, for sure.

Last week, before the time change, Johnny set up to paint the village from the field below the place we stay. It was a nice enough day to paint plein-air, so he took advantage, knowing we would be getting some nasty weather soon. It gets really muddy here when it rains, and there's no way he could set up in that situation.

Just below the house...you can see Lago Trasimeno
in the distance.

The first bits coming together...

I always enjoy watching the work come together from the start when it's just sketched in.

Adding color to the sky.

Very loose and fast.

The color combination of the blue sky and orange/brown village is lovely. Then you get the various greens of the surrounding woods and olive groves.

Almost finished.

He may do some studio touching up...we'll see!

Don't forget to follow on Instagram....

#galleryapodaca

 

Painting a Favorite "Lady of the Field"

There is a particular old ruin nearby that Johnny has painted before, and wanted to paint again this trip.

Back a week or so ago, we headed out mid morning. The weather was really perfect, and he was happy to set up and get started-

I took this from the passenger seat...just because.

There are several old ruins out in this area. It's easy to find a spot to pull over along the dirt road and get started.

Fields are freshly turned now.

It's a nice subject to paint.

We would like to know what this ruin was, way back when.

Not a bad spot to work.

While Johnny painted, I took a nice walk all around that ruin. By the time I returned, he was almost finished with the small piece.

 

If you want to read about my walk around the ruin, check it out here.

Painting In Piazza San Marco

Setting up to paint in Piazza San Marco. That's about it...and actually painting.

We went in the afternoon, tucked into a corner where people didn't bug Johnny, and he did his thing.

It was terribly noisy, as he was next to a construction site, but otherwise, all was good.

I will just let the photos do the talking...

 

More Painting in Venice, Including a Special Place

Feeling really grateful to be spending some good time in Venice. Johnny has been able to paint a few pieces.

The weather has been good for painting, which is always a question...we plan these trips months in advance, so we never know what to expect.

A couple of days ago, we headed out early again to hike across town to a favorite spot we know from the classic TV series featuring Commissario Brunetti. Based on the Donna Leon books. 

Anyway... many years ago, we stumbled upon the spot that is the Commissario's offices in the TV show. It's an unusual place way off the beaten track.

A good spot to set up and paint.

In the morning, there is no one around.

If you have seen the series, you know this spot!

It's the back of the Pallazzo Gritti on Campo della Confraternità.

The columns were designed by G.A. Pigazzi.

Johnny really wanted to paint this spot.
And what a perfect morning to do it.

 

Later that day, after tromping all over the islands, Johnny stopped to paint again along the far end of the Grand Canal. It was a very clear day, which have been few and far between. It's been warm, but quite hazy. 

This was a crystal clear afternoon.

St. Mark's Square way back there...

So it begins.

Another fast and loose painting.

I think knowing when to stop is the key.

I like this one very much.

More to come.