Spring Vines in Provence oil pastel painting

Spring Vines in Provence

Oil Pastel landscape painting

20x15cm (approx 8x6")

On black card coated with pastel ground

Purchase information

It's always a nice drive through the vineyards and one of my favourite things to do. In the spring time the bright greens give a lively impression bursting with life full of promise for the next harvest.

About this painting
I coated the card with colorfix primer which gives the surface a tooth that the oil pastel can grip onto. It allows layering with the oil pastels without mixing.

I used harder pastels, mostly galleria to begin and finished off using Sennelier oil pastels. The Senneliers are soft and buttery and 'sit' on top of the harder pastel.

How it would look framed

Wildflower Confetti palette knife painting in oil

Willdflower Confetti

Palette knife painting

15x20cm (6x8inch) on 1.5cm deep box canvas

The edges have been painted black so a frame is unnecessary.

Purchase information

This is another painting of the wildflowers that we came across last July (see here) from a different view point and different treatment.

Some close-ups

Did van Gogh live here? Yellow House Arles oil painting

Yellow House Arles

Palette knife painting

Oil painting on box canvas

15x20 cm (6x8inch) 1.5cm deep

Available on Daily Paintworks

Yes there really are yellow houses in Arles,  and no, van Gogh did not live here - the yellow house of van Gogh fame no longer exists.

About this painting
I took this picture a couple of years ago and actually started this little painting then. I came across it a few days ago and finished it off. The blue shutters, so typical of Provence, were irresistible. Using the palette knife allowed me to build up layers of colour.

Some close-ups of the palette knife work

Champs de Lavande et Tournesols Provence Landscape palette knife painting

Champs de Lavande et Tournesols -

Fields of Lavender and sunflowers

Provence landscape palette knife painting

Oil on box canvas

15 x 20 (6x8") x 1.5cm
Available in my Etsy store

Take time out to Play

At the beginning of the week I was running out of ideas of what to paint and I was questioning my use of oils. I wanted to do something less representational than my normal work and had a hankering to create abstracts. 

I spent two days playing around with mono-prints as well as ink and gouache resist. I had never done either and I didn't quite know the techniques, so I read up on them and off I went!

I didn't produce anything worthy, but I had a really good time. Since then I have been re-energised. I have finished several small paintings, have plenty of good ideas milling around and I have finished my larger painting I posted last week (keep tuned tomorrow to see it).

Conclusion

Play is good for you.

Lavender Scent Palette knife painting

Lavender Scent Palette knife painting

oil on box canvas

15 x 20 (approx 6x8 inch) x 1.5cm
Available in my Etsy store 

 Today is a lavender day. 

Some close-ups

Tourettes-sur-Loup Courtyard corner palette knife painting.

Tourettes-sur-Loup Courtyard corner

oil palette knife painting

15x20cm/6"x8" on box canvas

This courtyard is in one of my local villages. The old villages have high walls that cause the shadows to move very quickly across. So I used my artistic licence to recreate the lighting I wanted.

Village Nook and Crannies Palette Knife oil painting, 6x8inch

Village Nook and Crannies

6"x8" oil on box canvas

Palette knife painting
The sides are painted black so it can be hung without a frame
Click HERE to view and purchase

I live in an area of France that is well known for its 'perched' villages. They are built on top of the hills, generally to protect the population from the Moorish invaders in the middle ages. These villages have lots of small streets, alcoves, alleyways and arches. It is easy to loose your sense of direction with all the twists and turns. I always take loads of photos but to date I have not painted any of them. So, starting with a small box canvas, I decided it was about time LOL. I like the texture achieved on the closest wall.