by Chris | Aug 19, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
I’ve been meaning to produce a painting from a sketch of Assisi I did in May. But where to start? The photo I took at the time was very flat and colourless as it was raining most of the day! However the view was lovely and in my minds eye I could see it in early... read more
by Chris | Aug 16, 2010 | Watercolour Paintings
Judy Adamson’s Art and Design blog: Guest Post by Chris Fothergill – On the Back of an…: “I’m sure many of our readers will be able to identify with today’s guest post by Chris Fothergill – I certainly can and frequently... read more
by Chris | Aug 7, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
There are many reasons that compel people to travel. For some it is pleasure, or a holiday; for others it is business. Young persons will spread their wings on gap years; older parents will visit their offspring who have started families abroad. I love to travel to... read more
by Chris | Jul 19, 2010 | Paintings of Italy
Yes I know it’s a mouthful as a title, but it explains why this painting looks blustery, wet and cool! I remember going for a run before breakfast on one trip to Venice, in March. It was damp and mouldy, but quite atmospheric. I painted this view in acrylics on... read more
by Chris | Jul 6, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
I was in London a week or two ago, seeking inspiration for painting. It must have been the only day for weeks that was NOT sunny! But still there is something about drawing directly from life in cities that I love to do. These are three of the sketches I came up with,... read more
by Chris | Jun 22, 2010 | Paintings of Italy
OK, the title is a bit long, but along the cobbled and ancient backstreets of these hilltowns, this is just the sort of thing you see on a corner, and I like the absurdity of these little vans as they cheerfully bob up and down the streets……… I want... read more
by Chris | Jun 7, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
From ‘Impressions of the Cities of Umbria’ In the city of Orvieto, Southern Umbria, Italy I had to admit I was lost. The twelve sided tower of Sant’ Andrea was what I was looking for, and although I had been there earlier in the day, the light had been against me. Now... read more
by Chris | Jun 3, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Writing this back at Perugia Farmhouse in early evening, sitting on a chair in bright sunshine overlooking a magnificent hilltop view across Perugia and the hills. Awoke this morning to a clear blue sky, and a warmth that was to last the day. I decided to return to... read more
by Chris | Jun 3, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
With only one week’s sojurn in the Umbrian landscape I have been necessarily selective in the places to which I have been. EH went on to Cita della Pieve (for the sake of Perugio, his birthplace), Foligno, Montefalco, Fabriano, and even Urbino, which now I now longer... read more
by Chris | Jun 2, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Promising morning, and wind my way across country to Orvieto, but on reaching the outskirts a moment’s inattention causes me to be swept on the toll paying Autostrada from Rome to Florence! After 23 kilometres of drumming my fingers on the steering wheel I come off at... read more
by Chris | Jun 2, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Rise to bright sunshine! A wonderful surprise and I’m parked in Todi by 8.30am. Do the sketch on this page immediately as it was irresistible (if not in EH) the hill top church of S.Fortunato to the right, and below Santa Maria della Consolazione. I am immediately... read more
by Chris | Jun 1, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Rise early, and out at 7.30 (check out of farmhouse) and head for Assisi. Easy drive, and park in probably the most expensive farmhouse in Assisi. Then an expensive coffee and pastry sets the tone for the day. Still, the farmhouse cost less than expected as it was... read more
by Chris | Jun 1, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
…After the last entry, still spitting with rain, manage to draw very quick perspective of the Via delle Occhi (in sketchbook) and finish off in the car. Houses and all very similar to plate in EH, but neater and tidier, and a tree to the left, which helps the... read more
by Chris | Jun 1, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Last night I was fed up, so I went to bed early, finished the ‘difficult’ sudoku from last Sunday’s Independent, then slept for ten hours to 8 o’clock this morning (but for the usual call of nature in the dark; the sleeping hills all around look wonderful at night,... read more
by Chris | Jun 1, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
..and just finished a cheap bowl of lasagne at a cheap tourist café. I just can’t get the hang of Italy. The rain stopped, but had robbed me of half the afternoon. I returned to the view across to Assisi and did a pen and wash impression based on the pencil drawing... read more
by Chris | May 31, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Well, last night was good value. After two more beers at the ‘Bar Olympia’ I was best friends with ‘Salvatore’, an enthusiastic local who engaged me in conversation; his English not much better than my Italian but we were helped by the girl behind the bar who had... read more
by Chris | May 30, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
..and the usual fun and games to the start of the trip. What did I expect? Why to arrive in sunny Italy, find a bus from Perugia airport to the main city centre, thence to get a bus to the ‘Perugia Farmhouse Backpackers Hostel’ as directed to on the website. Then... read more
by Chris | May 30, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Sunday 16 May At the airport (Stansted) Security checked, breakfasted, and texted to next of kin. On finishing my breakfast (in Frankie and Bennie’s) the Italian waiter commented “It’s good you are flying this morning; the airport is due to close again at 5o’clock... read more
by Chris | May 30, 2010 | Sketchbook Musings
Sunday 16th – Monday 24th May 2010 This was inspired by the purchase of an old book by the same name, written by Edward Hutton, and published by Methuen, in 1905, with 20 colour plates taken from original watercolours by ‘A.Pisa’. The book was found by chance in an... read more
by Chris | May 7, 2010 | Cotswold Paintings
Old folk sitting on a bench in Cirencester today! I took a surreptitious photo but was spotted by the old chap with glasses. The two ladies on the right were having a good old chat while waiting for the bus. And why not? I painted this first just with a brush, and... read more