Portugal 2018

I was delighted to be asked to return and paint in Portugal at the Villa of David Bachmann. This time we a small group of five. Johnny Walsom, Valerie Pirlot, Tim King, David and me.
We arrived in Faro and went straight to our first location which was Praia dos Tres Castelos, just West of the Praia da Rocha town beach.

Against the Light, Praia dos Tres Castelos

The next painting spot was at Ferragudo, I had a failed attempt at the harbour and moved on to paint a quickie from the car park

6" x 8"

After a rather splendid lunch , Valerie and I went round the corner to the beach area where we were both drawn to a little group of fishermen by the huts , so we settled to paint them.

Fishermen at Ferragudo

There wasn't enough time for a second large painting so I settled for another little quicky

6" x 8" Ferragudo Beach

The next day was wet and windy so, Valerie, Johnny and I went off to the fish market to select subjects for a still life. It was hard to explain to the very helpful lady that we did not want our fish gutting but it was worth the effort

Durada 8" x 10"

Sardines 8" x 10"

The next day was much better so we went to Praia Dona Anaon

Praia da Dona AnaOn

Praia de Camillo

Valerie, Johnny and I climbed down loads of steps to get to the vantage point but it was worth the effort.The next day was departure day and rainy again so I picked some lemons from the garden and painted those before I had to pack and leave.

Portugal

I have been rather neglectful of my blog of late. Life has a way of filling your days, just when you hope to start taking things a bit easier.
I intend filling a few gaps of my activities over the next few posts.
so, to start.

Way back in April I was lucky enough to travel to Portugal as the guest of David Bachmann with 11 fellow artists. The weather was very kind to us and we went out every day to various locations in the Algarve.

From left around the table, Tony Dakin, David Pilgrim, Karl Terry, John Stillman, Andrew Roberts, David Bachmann, Me, Haidee-Jo Summers, Valerie Poirlot, Tim King and (still painting) Michael Richardson

Morning Light 8" x 10"

Ponte do Piedade

We were quite high up painting this but it gave a great perspective with the tiny figures

Lagos - It did rain whilst painting this but we all persevered in true plein air spirit

            As you can see there were lots of stacks in the water which I found fascinating to paint.

Arrifana

 

Praia da Cordoama

Praia da Cordoama 

 

We were very lucky to have an exceptional cook for the week. Li prepared some wonderful meals. One day on getting back to the villa, she had just prepped the fish for the evening meal. Two enormous sea bass. I asked how long before she put them in the oven - we were given 40 minutes - easels were up and brushes flew and this was the end result

Supper 8" x 10"

Li loved it so much I gave it to her. I haven't painted fish much before but now I always eye up the fish counter when I walk by looking for a likely subject.

It was a great week in great company. The work produced was astounding, not only in volume but in quality as well. We decided as a group to exhibit our work and have now booked a venue in London for 2018 - watch this space!!  We will shortly have our own web site britishpleinairpainters.co.uk

Painting in the Algarve

In October I was thrilled to be invited to paint in the Algarve by my Dutch artist friend Willamine
She had invited a lot of the crowd that painted annually at Holt Hall together for 15 years. Her villa I have to say is amazing and was able to accommodate 10 of us. I picked up a car at Faro airport and and with Felicity navigating, off we went. It brought back fond memories of driving round France, painting with Felicity. Thelma and Louise came to mind.
Ted & Corry Kooy had already arrived and welcomed us. Our hostess had gone to the airport to meet Tom & Mary Coates. Paul, Rick & James were making their own way in a hire car.

The first day was glorious and we all decided to paint around the villa. I was drawn to this little corner

Sunny Corner 12" x 10" oil on board

Agapanthus 12" x 10" oil on board

In the afternoon I moved round to paint the tree from the other side. It was the shadows that were the big draw on this one but I couldn't resist putting Felicity in the picture.

The Red Costume 12" x 10" oil on board

The next day after a trip to a fish market to shop for supper we headed for the fishing village of Formosa, near Tavira. So much to paint. I settled for this boat which was having an overhaul.

A Lick of Paint 12" x 10"

                          The boat behind also made a good subject so I moved on to that next

High & Dry 12" x 10" oil on board

We spent a couple of days painting in Tavira, well, we did get slightly sidetracked by the wonderful shops but managed quite a few paintings as well, here are a couple.

Tavira 10"x 8" oil on board

Tavira 12" x 10" oil on board

I think one of my favourite places to paint was Fuseta. It had everything including a beach. Unfortunately the day I went back to paint the beach, it was drizzling and very windy.

Fishing Boats 10" x 12"

Low Tide Fuseta 12" x 10"

Boat Yard, Fuseta 10" x 12"

It was a wonderful trip and I came home with a stash of 20+ oil paintings. We rounded off our trip on the last night with a meal out in Formosa, unfortunately it was raining but it didn't dampen our fun. Paul Banning gave a great performance of 'Singing in the Rain' much to the amusement of all.

Here we are - the Jolly Painters. Paul Banning Willemine Kellermann. Mo, Mary Jackson, Ted Cooy, Rick Holmes, Felicity House, Corry Kooy, Tom Coates, Maya and James Burton