Welcome to Polly's Blog

Welcome to Polly's Blog
Watercolour, humour, this and that

Saturday 12 October 2013

HAZEL SOAN COURSE - ITALY



I've had a wonderful 11 days with Hazel in Italy along with 18 others.  It was a challenge for Hazel as well as us, as the weather couldn't have been much worse, grey, damp and cold. But boy did she manage to find some subjects to challenge and inspire us. Colour mixes for grey days were interesting and workshops indoors when we were unable to paint en plein air.  A keen bunch to say the least, mixed abilities but all progressing under her gentle but constructive tuition.

I will post some of my versions of her work with a little explanation. Later I will post the paintings I did in the afternoon, without her as a safety net!  And also some of my sketches done before breakfast and in my room after dinner (no one was venturing out for the nightlife oh dear).  I did over 30 paintings, so will obviously pick out the best!  I am no fool. And perhaps do a few posts.

I will start with paintings done in Verona. First 3 are 16 x 10, and are in the style of Hazel Soan. I will give you the main colour combinations as some are quite interesting.

.
A reddish bridge with strange thingies on the top.  Clouds Aliz and F.Ultra, Bridge Burnt Sienna and Winsor Violet two colours I would never have thought of.

Section of the famous Arena where the Opera is performed en plein air.  Hazel thought the arena wouldn't make an interesting composition but still wanted to paint the main thing in Verona. Painted mainly in Indian Yellow, Alizarin and Prussian or Winsor Blue.

This was a really difficult subject, especially as the police were having to park around us! We didn't get booked for taking up their parking spaces!  Look at all those windows and shutters. Camera has distored the lines but must confess it wasn't my best drawing, and the people are not in correct proportion.  Was glad to get this one over with!!!  Main wall was in Raw Umber and and F.Ultra.  Raw umber is a colour I don't often use.

28 comments:

  1. I have enjoyed watching some of your last painting from your latest few posts. Love the elephant and the other animals! Sometimes you really get it right straight away without much planing isn´t it so? I just wish it would happen more often!! haha Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The elephant WAS without much planning. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case!!!!! But I do take chances, which sometimes work. Taking too long planning is not me at all.

      Delete
  2. Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday Polly. You've come home with some lovely paintings, I look forward to seeing them over the coming days / weeks.

    Sharing the colours you used is a great idea too - I'm going to give B Sienna and W Violet a go next time I have my paints out. Which won't be too long as I, like you. paint virtually every day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not putting them all on! Ha ha. that would be too much for everyone. B.Sienna and Winsor Violet is an unusual combination. Winsor Violet is very staining otherwise it's a delicious colour. Good luck with it.

      Delete
  3. 30 is alot of paintings, well done! I like all of these and the people are great on the last, even if they're slightly tall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are not only slightly tall, the back ones are terribly small!!!

      Delete
  4. sounds like you had a wonderful time.apart from the weather and not sampling the night life......I would have sampled it with you for sure.......all in the name of finding new painting subjects you understand LOL
    intersting colour combinations right enough.thanks for sharing!!!!!
    Val

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a pleasure to share. I know I am very fortunate. Would have been great for us to find some night scenes to paint, Val

      Delete
  5. Glad you had a great time Polly. A trip to remember perhaps and you have all your lovely paintings to remind you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I have some wonderful memories in my paintings. Better than any photographs!

      Delete
  6. The snow has fallen in the Alps lowering the temperature, but bringing color back, in the Po Valley ... These days the sky was blue again. However the atmosphere with subtle variations of gray are typical of Northern Italy this season ... charming atmosphere that I can find in your BEAUTIFUL watercolors. I do a lot of effort to paint outdoors ,so I really admire your work and I admire how, as a professional painter, you have kept a great concentration, despite everything that could be happened around you.Have nice sunday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Rita, I am not a professional painting, jut a hobby painter! I thought the holiday was too late in the year, especially being in the mountains. Many people look over your shoulder, and you have to get used to it. What a beautiful area despite the grey clouds. Bellisimo.

      Delete
  7. What a fabulous opportunity you have had Polly, Hazel is a beautiful artist. These Re terrific and I look forward to seeing your collection. Pity about the weather it's just like watercolour painting, unpredictable

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I am very lucky to be able to go on these courses. I am only showing a selection. The weather was a challenge and surprisingly there were many wonderful paintings at the end exhibition.

      Delete
  8. these are complicated...and you've done a wonderful job of them. I hope you are proud---you should be! They are super paintings....esp that last one...gadzooks, it is complex and you nailed it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celeste you are very kind. These three were with the guidance of Hazel and you can see her hand in these paintings. Gadzooks, I am glad you think I nailed it.

      Delete
  9. I love seeing your paintings that you are doing in your workshop in Italy and hearing all the details about your experience. I think your paintings are very good especially the one with all the buildings and the people that you worked so hard on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara. When I saw all those windows I thought oh dear me (or something stronger). Hope you are well and have a good week

      Delete
  10. all of these are incredibly challenging and difficult views polly ...i'm impressed by all of them ...verona is such a beautiful town did you paint castelvecchio ? ... i esp like the arena ... hazel must be a very inspiring teacher .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They were all in her style really. And we didn't paint castelvecchio. I would love to go back there as I was that busy painting I never went inside the churches etc. Yes, she always inspires me, and thank you for your lovely comments

      Delete
  11. It is funny but the one of the Arena is my favorite of the three...maybe because it is a bit looser. All of these are challenging due to perspective and architectural elements. You handled them well! I agree that burnt sienna and windsor violet is an odd combination for the bridge, but it works. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and process with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I prefer the area pic too. Thanks for visiting

      Delete
  12. Wonderful paintings! What a great experience!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes amazing experience, and to see how she coped against the odds

      Delete
  13. Polly - wonderful paintings. I bet you had a great time. I have read some of Hazel's books - I am sure she is a great teacher. Hope you will share more of your work soon. Take care and have a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debbie. She is an inspirational teacher, and wants to pass on her knowledge otherwise it will die with her!! And she is a lovely person too. Thanks for popping over

      Delete
  14. Unas pinturas fantásticas.Seguro que ha sido una experiencia inolvidable...menudo taller!!

    ReplyDelete