Painting in Tuscany

I can hardly believe I just wrote the post title. And yet, just over a week ago I was there. And painting!

Being in Florence recently with all the art was wonderful, along with our trip into the Tuscan region. Now that I'm back home in my quiet and solitary existence, I'm thinking it is a little like living in one of those lonely monasteries sequestered on a hill.

The memories of our Italy trip are still quite fresh, though, and I'm enjoying remembering. After our stay in Florence, we rented a little car and drove away from the big city and toward the country. The Bed and Breakfast we found near the ancient walled town of San Gimagnano had a lovely view of the town.

The medieval walled city, a short walk up the hill, was typical of several ancient towns we explored during our week in the area: narrow cobblestone streets, a church and bell tower, and little shops along the streets.

It not being tourist season, some places were not open and I learned there was no hardware store in town. I was looking for some paint thinner or turpentine but didn't locate any.

So I had to do without for this little study I did in the afternoon. The fast-drying oils (alkyds) I brought felt like chalky mud on my brushes and it was difficult to get sharp edges or detail in this small piece.

However, the simplified forms have a certain charm, so I'm glad the piece worked out as it did.

"San Gimagnano, Afternoon"
Original unframed oil, approx. 6"x6"
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin