Colle Val d'Elsa

Colle Val D'Elsa - 4 by 5". Watercolor on Khadi - Sketchbook. © 2010 by Linda Warner Constantino.

I had just finished a larger painting and I was still wanting to paint. So I decided to paint whatever was in front of me. I do this once in a while as a challenge - to try and make something ordinary interesting. I was taken by the light and shade. It was a little outdoor cafe in a town about a half an hour north of Spannocchia. I think I got the feeling of light and shade. Some details are a bit wonky because I went back into it after I was done. For me watercolors are a constant reminder of the imperfections of life. There is a certain beauty to how the watercolor tends to wander around the page and do its own thing. I keep trying to remember to let it be. Don't over mother it, should be my mantra. :)

On another note - I went to see the botanical exhibit of the works of PA Kessler at the Art Center here on Hilton Head. The paintings are mostly of orchids and they are simply unbelievable! She is a true botanical artist whose dedication to detail is beyond impressive. Her work reveals knowlege, sensitivity, creativity and craft at the highest level. You will be impressed if you go see it.

Small Sketchbook from Italy Trip

View of Vineyards at Spannocchia in Tuscany

Now that I am home from my month of painting in Italy, I am madly painting and getting organized for my upcoming show at the Art League of Hilton Head from August 9 - September 10. The opening reception is on Tuesday August 10 from 5-7 pm.

Since I was not able to really document my trip via the blog as I had hoped due to the slow internet in Tuscany, I am back-tracking a bit now. I want to start with my small sketchbook that I bought at my favorite art supply store Ditta G. Poggi in Rome. The sketchbook is made of Khadi paper and is 5 by 6 in. I wrote Italy on the cover in a font I thought was appropriate and this little sketchbook turned out to be one of the most satisfying forms of painting and sketching that I did the entire trip. I also bought this small Winsor Newton travel watercolor set there that came in a black enamel box and was no bigger than my camera. The lid on the left holds the water that is kept in a flask like compartment that runs the body of the the set. I changed out a few of the colors and was good to go. I just love it! I am just obsessed with small things like this. It is so portable but functional and I used it constantly while there. I guess it is in keeping with my passion for small paintings.

I also found some skinny tape to tape off the borders. I kind of like the tah-dah moment when you peel off the tape to see what your painting really looks like with a nice clean edge. I developed this habit from Joseph Zbukvic after taking a workshop with him last year. I like the way it looks in the sketchbook.

I have some other thoughts about working small. I do not consider my work to be miniatures. I just do not think that that is what they are. Not a value judgement. I think it is because my work is not detailed. I am think of them more as a visual response to a compelling view - more like a poem than a paragraph so to speak. I try to be essential without a lot of detail. I could and I can work that way. I do botanical illustration too but my landscapes are about something different. Being on location is being in the moment and very present in my life. Painting is a way of capturing and savoring that experience.

I will be posting more sketches from this sketchbook over the next two weeks.When I have documented all the paintings for my show I will post them as well. I just got a new Espon scanner and I am loving it.

Finally, the painting above was done during one of the last days at Spannocchia. It was a view that I had not noticed before. I took a new found friend Liz Cellucci out to paint with me. We had a stellar day painting around Tuscany.

Back to Tuscany June 2010

Road to Casole by Linda Warner Constantino © 2009 - 8 by 10 in.

I am thrilled to be going back to Tuscany in June of 2010 to teach two painting workshops! I will be teaching Watercolor Sketching and a Plein Air Painting Class in Oils. Both workshops will be based out ofSpannocchia a working organic farm and "green hotel". I will be posting more information in the coming weeks but I wanted to put the word out. If you are interested in taking one or both of the workshops, please contact me at linda@lwarnerconstantino.com.

I am attracted to painting in Italy for many reasons: I was an art history major in my undergraduate studies and Italy is so alive with a history richly steeped in the arts। The food is a cultural experience in itself. Dinner at Spannocchia is a wonderful way to relax and share the day's experience. Finally, there are so many views to paint. Great memories to take home.

San Galgano

Copyrighted © 2009 by Linda Warner Constantino. 6" by 8"- oil on linen board.

This little building at San Galgano, Italy was irresistible. It had rained earlier in the day and in the early evening all the greens were so saturated. I find painting greens always a challenge.

plein air painting in Tuscany, small painting