I have recently returned from France, painting in Provence,
and have to say that I had a fabulous time. No big surprise! I had hoped to post what I was
doing while there, but unfortunately I encountered technical difficulties
uploading pictures. So that allowed me some time to reflect on the
experience and painting there, and that is what I can now share.
This was my second time to Les Bassacs taking a course at
Arts in Provence, and so I had a better I idea of what to expect. As primarily a ‘studio
painter’ I found plein air painting to
be quite challenging two years ago. Returning
to some of the same village locations meant that I knew what view I would
paint (so didn’t waste time being indecisive and wandering around), and using
water colour, gouache, and paper were more manageable than acrylics and canvas.
The other difference was the instructor, Terry Thompson and the focus of the
course which was ‘abstracting the landscape’ (something that continually
intrigues). Days divided
themselves into painting on location, and then working in the studio, either
completing work, or doing a series of studies abstracting our morning imagery through colour.
Our first outing was to the grounds of the nearby Chateau de
Bourgane, open to the public on Sundays. I was delighted to go there again, and
quickly decided to paint a view looking across the grounds towards the
hills…..one which I have tried before without any luck. Here is the view I first saw and the painting I started in situ, and worked on later that
evening, adding gouache and pastel……
Before leaving the grounds that afternoon I walked further and saw the
magnificent field of poppies in front of the house - and this view became the subject
of numerous paintings done in the studio later in the week - stay tuned!
