Landscape Watercolour of Faro, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
The high perimeter of walls of the Old Citidel casting their late afternoon shadows over the rest of the Old Town part of Faro. The whole sketch was done quite quickly and the shadows going in at the same time. I was pleased with the guy on the right side left understated and sort of merging into the darkness.
Landscape Watercolour of Lagos, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
Located facing the fishing port, this building was built in 1924 to originally house just the towns fruit and veg market but was also devoted to selling fish in the last 1950's. The wonderful selection of freshly caught seafood is housed on the ground floor while fruit, vegetables, freshly baked bread, and an open-air terrace with restaurant can be found upstairs.
Landscape Watercolour of the Algarve, 15" x 11" on Saunders Waterford Rough Paper 140 lbs
The busy marina at Olhao (pronounced "oll Yow") on the Algarve and the pier stretching out to the main ferry point for the islands in the Ria Formosa natural park. Olhao. This is the biggest fishing port on the Algarve, and if you ignore the shabby appearance of the town centre there's a great daily fish market here on the waterfront and loads of restaurants along the Outubro Promenade serving fish and shell fish dishes. I am gradually getting used to the Saunders paper now away from my usual Bockingford and doing wet in wet on Saunders is a hell of a lot easier.
Landscape Watercolour of Faro, Portugal, 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 140 lbs
With such a rich history, you’d expect to find an atmospheric old town in the city and you’d be correct. The Cidade Vella is crammed with tourists and locals visiting the handicraft markets or just wandering around looking at the old buildings, many of which show signs of the city’s Moorish ancestry.
Landscape Watercolour 15" x 11" of Albufeira, Portugal, on Bockingford Rough Paper 140 lbs.
Midday in the Old Town part of Albufeira on the Algarve and the shops are starting to close for the siesta. I can remember there was lots of detail in the view in front of me and it was a temptation to paint more detail - the church on the hill and merchandise on the point of sale racks outside of shops - but golden rule for watercolour is try to simplify. I think I could have made those background greens a little lighter and bluer to push them back further. Anyway, next time. If I make a 'mistake' on a watercolour, I rarely try to correct it (e.g. wash it out). I would prefer to disguise it in some way, or better still, do another painting and choose a different subject!
Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford NOT Paper 300 gms
The perimeter around the citidel in the old town area of Faro has a great collection of all the styles of period Portuguese architecture with wondeful hues of ochres, yellows, dark terracotta roof tiles and bright white-washed walls. The odd Phoenix palm breaks up the lines and throws shadows on the walls.
Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford paper NOT 140lbs
Albufeira old town is a very relaxed resort on the Algarve and has a lovely central square decorated with trees and colourful shrubs surrounded by street cafés and restaurants for a quiet meal or a cool drink. The streets leading off the square are a shoppers delight with clothes shops, leather goods (fantastic handbags!), gift shops, street stalls and of course, all the practical shops for daily necessities. There are also many more restaurants and bars in between the shops so there is never a shortage of places to eat and drink!
Watercolor 15" x 11" on Bockingford paper 140lbs
Faro centre and nothing is more than a 30 minute walk away. Around the centre of town are tall period buildings. This is the view out towards the marina and an open park space with wide boulevard. Faro is often overlooked as visitors just pass it on their way to the resorts, but those who choose to linger a while find a town of considerable charm and the real heart of the Algarve.
Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford paper 300g
The stretch of river front along the Gilhao River, Tavira on the Algarve, is a great place to walk down the 'Rua dos Cais' (baking hot in the summer), or sit at one of the cafes and enjoy the very picturesque setting. The Roman bridge, Ponte Romana, spans the river with low arches and creates gentle reflections on the water.
After some suggestions from some fellow painters, I decided to crop the picture taking out the left hand side:
I think it's better and just goes to show the importance of composition and I guess, planning your painting before you start!
Watercolour 15" x 11" on Bockingford paper 300g
The entrance to Faro Railway Station and destinations beyond, along the Algarve coast and up to the capital, Lisbon. The main station building is very traditional in style (with it's name nicely laid out in tiles) and shaded by a large, ancient tree. Fares are very reasonable compared to the UK, and any trip along the coast gets great views of the sea.
