Dear friends, I will be saying this very often, with regards to my drawings or paintings ... My idea of drawing and painting does not mean an exact replica of the subject. I can do that, but I find it extremely boring. What I want is to enjoy myself putting on paper what, in my opinion, represents the nearest that gives one the idea of the subject without exactly copying. Here goes ...
Ventabren
This is one of my favourite paintings. Apart from the painting itself, I simply love this village. Ventabren is situated some 30 kms to the west of Aix en Provence, in Bouches du Rhone. I must say that the actual village is larger than it appears in the painting. I drew this painting from memory so, it is not a copy but an impression of how the village looks. I am not interested in producing copies but in having images that reminds one (mostly myself) of the subject.
Above all, this village has a special meaning for me as it is where we got married
. Up the street, to your left, look out for the French flag. That is the mayor's office and it is where it happened. The reception then took place at our friends' farmhouse to the right of the picture. These French receptions are never-ending. In fact, I went to sleep at about 4pm, got up at 5.30 pm and found the guests still at it. That was just the beginning, because at 7pm we had to go to the 'official' reception. How can I ever forget Ventabren???
Above all, this village has a special meaning for me as it is where we got married
. Up the street, to your left, look out for the French flag. That is the mayor's office and it is where it happened. The reception then took place at our friends' farmhouse to the right of the picture. These French receptions are never-ending. In fact, I went to sleep at about 4pm, got up at 5.30 pm and found the guests still at it. That was just the beginning, because at 7pm we had to go to the 'official' reception. How can I ever forget Ventabren??? 
Notre Dame du Mont
An extremely pleasant task, when drawing, is surely the ability to ‘reproduce’ a favourite view or object, according to how you are seeing it. There is nothing more satisfying, in my opinion, than to record a view right as you want it ... yes even with the few small changes that make it more to your liking.
Now, chances are that anyone who has been to Notre Dame du Mont, in Marseilles, will not see the view in exactly the way that I have drawn it here. I do not go out of my way for this to happen, it is a very natural process, though quite difficult to explain. What I mean is that when you look at the drawing, don’t expect to see a true image like in a photo.
Notre Dame du Mont is a busy square in the centre of Marseilles. Our flat in Marseilles is only a few yards away. There are a few coffee-shops with tables on the square like Pjazza Regina.
This is an ink drawing. This, in my opinion, is rather more difficult a medium than water colour to work in, as you are allowed no mistakes at all. Let us say one has to be more careful. Furthermore, I took quite a lot of information from drawing some sections on site.
Now, chances are that anyone who has been to Notre Dame du Mont, in Marseilles, will not see the view in exactly the way that I have drawn it here. I do not go out of my way for this to happen, it is a very natural process, though quite difficult to explain. What I mean is that when you look at the drawing, don’t expect to see a true image like in a photo.
Notre Dame du Mont is a busy square in the centre of Marseilles. Our flat in Marseilles is only a few yards away. There are a few coffee-shops with tables on the square like Pjazza Regina.
This is an ink drawing. This, in my opinion, is rather more difficult a medium than water colour to work in, as you are allowed no mistakes at all. Let us say one has to be more careful. Furthermore, I took quite a lot of information from drawing some sections on site.
Castellane
While in Marseilles, I always like to go and spend some time in Castellane. Here one can find restaurants, and especially, pavement coffee-shops, and cinemas. Every day there is a flower market, and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday there is a big market. This, in my opinion, does not remove anything from the fact that this is a beautiful place to be. Castellane, in fact, is one of the meeting places of the “classy’’ people of Marseilles.
One of the roads leading away from Castellane is Avenue du Prado (you can see it on the lower part of the painting, where the market is). It is a 3-mile long, fantastic avenue. It is made up of beautiful villas and stylish apartments. The Prado leads to the statue of David on the sea front - one of the biggest beaches of Marseilles.
I assure you there is nothing better than booking a table at Massena and spending the evening enjoying a fantastic dinner while watching the French all around you doing their ‘thing’.
One of the roads leading away from Castellane is Avenue du Prado (you can see it on the lower part of the painting, where the market is). It is a 3-mile long, fantastic avenue. It is made up of beautiful villas and stylish apartments. The Prado leads to the statue of David on the sea front - one of the biggest beaches of Marseilles.
I assure you there is nothing better than booking a table at Massena and spending the evening enjoying a fantastic dinner while watching the French all around you doing their ‘thing’.
Eymet
I especially like these small, French villages. The fact is that they never build new buildings in the village, but restore what there is. The village of Eymet, for example, is built practically all in wood. The centre square, then, is where the market is held and one can buy ALL the produce of the surrounding countryside.
What? ... Like a million types of cheese, for example!!! Then there are those EXTREMELY fantastic French restaurants. Oh, how I miss them!
Again, I did not draw Eymet on site. I did take a few mental 'records' while I was there. I was filming and something strange happened ... just a coincidence, I guess. I was shooting an extensive view of the village when, as I closed in on the church clock and belfry and ... the bells rang the noon hour. It was time for lunch in one of those fantastic restaurants!
What? ... Like a million types of cheese, for example!!! Then there are those EXTREMELY fantastic French restaurants. Oh, how I miss them!
Again, I did not draw Eymet on site. I did take a few mental 'records' while I was there. I was filming and something strange happened ... just a coincidence, I guess. I was shooting an extensive view of the village when, as I closed in on the church clock and belfry and ... the bells rang the noon hour. It was time for lunch in one of those fantastic restaurants!
Miramont de Guyenne
Guys, this is where I RELAXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. It doesn’t look like much but, at least, that little house down there, with the land around it is where we organise some freaky BBQs (no not alla Malltija) but a bit more ‘stylish’ . A good number of people from the surrounding area are invited and everyone brings some ‘goodies’ along. This is the Lot et Garonne, that is, a few miles from Bordeaux, so the wine is WINE. And the food is FOOD! 
In this watercolour, you can see, at the very back, a line of trees. That is the border of the property, on that side. In fact, the trees line - on both sides - a small canal or river. This is the overflow coming - from some 1.5km away - from an artificial lake called Saut de Loup.
I drew those trees one early morning, as it was very misty and I thought I could capture the effect. By the time I went back in for my ‘tools’ it had lifted. Good thing, though, because I don’t know how I could have drawn ‘mist’.
In this watercolour, you can see, at the very back, a line of trees. That is the border of the property, on that side. In fact, the trees line - on both sides - a small canal or river. This is the overflow coming - from some 1.5km away - from an artificial lake called Saut de Loup.
I drew those trees one early morning, as it was very misty and I thought I could capture the effect. By the time I went back in for my ‘tools’ it had lifted. Good thing, though, because I don’t know how I could have drawn ‘mist’.
Tal-Karmnu Church, Balluta, St Julian’s
Gharghur, Malta
No comments:
Post a Comment