CACTUS IN WATERCOLOUR

During my painting holiday in Spain, I could not resist painting this lovely Prickly Pear plant.  As a child in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, I was lucky to spend holidays on the farm of my grandparents.  Rolling hills, cattle, sheep and horses were my delight.  The food was always scrumptious and not always that healthy!!!  Fried potatoes and lamb chops were my favourite.  From early morning (watching the cows being milked and feeding the calves) to collecting eggs with Grandmother, to late in the afternoon, I was enjoying the freedom with my cousins. One of the joys was to eat a juicy prickly pear.  The flesh was yummy but the procedure was NOT!!  Covered in tiny fine hairs that stuck into the skin in a very insidious way, peeling one of these was no fun.  One had to wear gloves.  

 

URBAN SKETCHING IN SPAIN

I have just returned from a wonderful week in Spain.  My friends Loli and Harold run art holidays.  Their home which houses the visiting artists is a beautiful villa high on a hill above the town of Beniginam.  The views from the terrace across the valley to the distant mountains are just crying out to be painted.  The tutor was a really good artist called Paul Weaver.  He and his charming wife were very much part of the group.  There was much laughter, terrific food all made by Loli and generous pouring of wine by Harold.  Loli makes the best Paella in Spain!!!!
It is worth taking a look and hopefully you will find a tutor who suits you and join us next year.  This is my third visit which says it all.  Here is a link to their website www.dalvaro.co.uk

I love urban sketching and these are some of the sketches done during my week in Spain.