A five minute drive from Barga is the hamlet of Catagnana dominated by the church of San Regolo. The drive up from the valley via several hairpin bends pass some lovely gardens and meadows of wild flowers. The sketch was done from the car due to rain again. A spell of good weather is forecast next week so a chance to work on the garden.
Again, sketched this from the
car due to heavy rain. Barga is split into two part - the medieval bit
on the hill and Barga Giardino down below where many of the shops, cafes
and banks are situated. Most of the buildings were built around the
turn of the century.
Loppia Church just below Barga is over 1000 years old I believe. The arrangement of buildings makes a lovely composition. Sketched this from the car again. When will we get some decent weather!
Showers yet again today! Behind Barga, around 540 metres above sea level is the village of Tiglo. No shop but a small bar that is open sometimes on weekends in summer, serving the Illy brand of coffee (my favourite brand) but not much else.
Yet another day of heavy showers and more expected for the next 10 days at least...aaarrghh! but just realised that I will be sketching outside over the Winter so will have to get used to bad weather. I sketch this view of the village of Sommocolonia sitting in the car. The greens are really fresh and vibrant at the moment.
At last, the sun came out for a few hours this afternoon. I produced this sketch sitting on a wall in the sunshine looking from Via Del’Aquadotto towards the Duomo. The sun and shadows on the yellow house on the left makes the sketch come to life. A mixed bag of weather again next week!
Today I went to Lucca to stock up on art materials and have a stroll around in the rain. As an artist, rain is great for creating atmosphere - figures reflecting on wet pavements and bright coloured umbrellas. The walled city of Lucca (the birthplace of Puccini) is a 45 minute drive south of Barga and if you are in Tuscany you must go and visit. Smaller than Florence and Pisa, its easier to walk around, elegant and clean with some beautiful churches and lovely cafes for people watching. This sketch was done sitting outside a cafe in Piazza San Michele.
