Saturday, November 29, 2008

Watercolour Landscape Castiglion Fiorentino


26cm x 36cm watercolour on CP paper

The only watercolour I've painted since I started my Printmaking course.

As a number of other Bloggers have noted it's jolly hard to photograph paintings in the winter light. When I go for the highlights I lose the sky detail, so it looks a little duller here than it actually is.

23 comments:

Elizabeth Braun said...

I have the same trouble with photographing textile art in winter as well.=(

Lin said...

AWESOME!! I JUST LOVE THOSE red roofs against the brilliant white!! I can't wait to see these soon myself!!! Hope we can meet up next May!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Don't abandon your watercolours Robyn, they're too lovely. And this is no exception. I love all the bright rooftops and angles.

Winter light.....arrrrrrggggggghhhhh Its done nothing but absolutely pour rain all day and be too dark to even photograph in 'natural' daylight.

Unknown said...

I love the colors in this and it must be even more spectacular to see in person. Beautiful.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Thank you so much Lin, Jeanette and Deborah. I have ambivalent feelings about this one. The painting was originally commissioned (and that was pretty exciting for me!) then the Commissioners did me an incredibly generous favour, so I decided it would be a gift. With so much riding on it, I was bound to be disappointed!

This is the view from their terrace - which is stunning. Maybe I just have to accept that I can't top nature.

Dermott said...

Pffffft. Where are the eyes?

caseytoussaint said...

It is difficult to photograph a painting - and I know from experience that yours are always even better in person. This is a wonderful composition, and I just love the bright color of the roofs.

Making A Mark said...

Really, really nice Robyn - and I'm a sucker for Italian roofscapes!

Have you got any chance of buying daylight bulbs? If you get two table top spot lamps with daylight bulbs and then direct the light on the piece from either side of you (when taking the photo) you should find the results improve.

I'd send you some but I have a feeling Italian lamps are different to in the UK???

Robyn Sinclair said...

Casey - Thank you. I'm still impatiently waiting for my FP book to come home so I can see your painting IRL - nothing beats the original, does it?

Katherine - I'm so glad you like it!
Thanks for the lighting tip. The tubes in my studio light are supposed to be 'daylight' so I should try again to photograph in there. It hasn't been that successful in the past but perhaps that's because the light is too high. I should be able to buy a couple of daylight bulbs here so I can try with the lamps. I'll let you know how I get on. Very sweet of you to offer to send some :)

Robyn Sinclair said...

Lin - I meant to say before - I'll pull out all stops to meet up with you in May!

Laura Frankstone said...

A beautiful celebration of color and architectural shape---a bravura performance!

Unknown said...

I love the depth of this painting. You feel like you are sitting on the roof top. My sisters and I watch 'Under the Tuscan Sun' again the other day and we are all wishing we can go to Italy someday. My Dad's family is from there.

Casey Klahn said...

It works wonderfully for me.

Anonymous said...

Exactly how I remember it to be. A lovely composition Robyn.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Laura - many thanks for your encouragement. I'm very excited to see you are part of the new Watermarks blog. I'll be there looking for tips.

Toni - Thank you. The POV is from a rooftop terrace.
I'm not a fan of the 'Under the Tuscan Sun' movie - I preferred the book. It's setting - Cortona is only 8km from here, so if you ever make a pilgrimage I'll get to meet you!
By the way, the opening sequence of the movie 'A Beautiful Life' was shot around the walls of our town.

Casey - I can always count on you to get excited about an Italian landscape. Thank you. ;)

Robin - Thank you too. I fiddled with the foreground of the composition a little - but that is exactly the roof-line.

Anonymous said...

It cheered me right up! It didn't look that good last night, for sure...

Robyn Sinclair said...

Judith - Thank you! I slept right through the storm (unusual) but poor Dermott was terrified. I am really over this Autumn weather and it sounds like you are too.

Anonymous said...

So happy to see a watercolour from you again...I like seeing anything from you..oil, prints, drawings...this roofscape has such beautiful warmth amd vibrant colour again!
Ronell

Anita said...

This is delicioius - love the warmth of the terracotta roofs. Bella Italia!

Lindsay said...

This would make a lovely print too!
I love the contrasting colors and the rhythem of the roofs.

Anonymous said...

All those red tiles are stunning. Lovely work.
But poor Dermott and the storm. Our wee Faith always grumps a bit at thunder, sort of under her breath, but knows she is not allowed to fuss too much ;-)

Joan said...

I love the vibrant roofs!!!! Your monoprints are so interesting! I've never tried anything like that. I've been on vacation and traveling for the last few weeks. I've been sketching and painting quite a bit in Florida, but I love seeing your neighborhood. Ciao!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Thank you all for such lovely supportive comments, I'm starting to feel better about this one, particularly since the new owners seem to like to it.

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