Thursday, August 21, 2014

RAVELLO, ITALY

Just got this scene I painted from the central piazza in Ravello photographed and wanted to share it.  It was such a glorious morning when we were painting, with the clouds partially obscuring the mountain tops, and that wonderful umbrella tree, I just couldn't help myself.  It's a small 12x9 oil but I just had to paint it that morning!



This painting was done in Ravello at the entrance to Ruffolo Gardens.  We painted there a lot during the workshop and was an incredibly beautiful spot.  The little pathway on the left next to the entrance was a very steep incline going down to a church were we had tickets for a piano concert.  The only problem was that we had to walk back up, and was definitely a killer walk (think 45 degree angle or at least if felt like it)!



This painting was made on a beautiful morning in the main piazza in Ravello. It was empty when I painted it but by noon the place was packed.  Very fun place to paint.


This was painted in Ruffolo Gardens in Ravello.  The arbor was a very quite part of the garden to paint and was a bit of relief from the other areas where tourist swarmed the gardens in the afternoon.  It had an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea.


This is really a beach picture in Positano.  The beach was directly behind me when I painted this. I loved the colorful building and although it was by the beach the people where rather well dressed considering it location.


Every day is laundry day in Italy.  I painted this from the steps of our hotel because I was afraid of getting killed if I went by the road.  The streets are so narrow and not much room for plein air painters.  I just had to capture the laundry being hung our in the beautiful light of the Amalfi Coast.


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Painting in Cortona

Painting in Cortona
City of Cortona with view of valley

Painting of View of Cortona Valley

Painting of View of Cortona Valley
It was such a lovely day we painted in the piazza overlooking the valley. The round building in the foreground is actually part of the original wall that surrounds Cortona.

Cortona View Lake Trasimento from Piazza Garibaldi

Cortona Italy Workshop

The workshop was a very successful and met everyones expectations. The Villa di Piazzano was an outstanding small hotel that lived up to its rating of four stars. The staff was very accommodating and helpful. Our tour excursions to Florence, Sienna and Montepulciano were very fun and helped to take the participants minds off of the pressure of producing a painting.

I am currently in the planning stages of producing my next workshop and if anyone would like to be put on the list of perspective participants please email me at tedmatz@comcast.net

The pictures below will give you taste of our Plein Air Painting Adventure.

Courtyard of Hotel di Piazzano

Painting in the courtyard

View of Cortona in the distance.

Scouting painting sites.

Group painting in country side

Plein Air Passion

My real passion is for plein air painting. Love the challenge that you have to deal with when painting outside. I personally think it makes you a better painter because you have to deal with so many unforeseen circumstances that come your way but also you have a better handle on light, darks and textures that you don't get from working in a studio and from photos. The following is a sample of some of my most recent work done en plein air. This painting is currently being shown in a group show at the Palm Beach County Cultural Council in Lake Worth, FL and runs through the middle of September, 2013.

Apoxee Landscape

Apoxee Landscape

The path at Apoxee Park

Demo piece at Jupiter Beach Park.

Four Arts Lily Pads One

Four Arts Lily Pads One

Four Arts Lily Pads Two

Four Arts Lily Pads Two

Still Life

I generally do still lives as exercises and demonstrations for my painting classes. Featured below are samples of those pieces.

Bright Red Cup

Bright Red Cup

Blue Bottle with Violets One

Blue Bottle with Violets One