Nestled within a valley near Barga are some lovely old buildings. The withered vine posts in the foreground create vertical interest and frame the buildings. I also liked the ploughed field breaking up the large amount of foliage.
Right in the heart of Barga Vecchia is the theatre which has a modernist style of architecture. What caught my attention was not the building but the huge Italian flag on the outside, and adding a bit of colour in the late afternoon sun.
I bought some water soluble wax crayons on Saturday so this is my first effort. They have lots of potential to produce a more impressionistic sketch than watercolour and the colours are really vibrant which suits my style.
There are three entrances into Barga Vecchia, this one is called Porta Macchiaia and is the oldest. I mentioned in one of my postings a few days ago that Italian drivers are very skillful at parking. Notice a Volvo estate car parked on the left of the sketch owned by Ricardo Negri who owns the L’Osteria in Piazza Angelio. To drive a car that length into Barga takes great skill and nerves of steel!
I went to the beautiful walled city of Lucca today, stocking up on art materials and strolling around in the 30 degree heat! Lucca is famous for being the birthplace of Puccini and in this piazza where I did this sketch there is a monument to the great composer, but it was the windows and shutters above eye level that grabbed my attention and the shadows cast by the piercing sun. Tomorrow rain expected with a drop in temperature by 10 degrees!
A beautiful summer day. House Martins and many species of insects flying around. This is a view from the Fornacetta looking up to the Duomo, which is just behind the cyprus trees. Stocking up on art materials in Lucca tomorrow, so another Lucca sketch is a possibility.
Barga Vecchia has many narrow streets and alleyways. This is Via di Mezzo, the main street that goes from one end to the other side and is possible to drive a car down particularly if you have a small car or an Ape, a three wheeled vehicle made by Piaggio who make the famous Vespa scooter. The word Ape means Bee in Italian because these vehicles buzz around making the sound of a Bee. They are like the transit van in Britain, a workhorse carrying light goods. Small, economical and cheap to run, they can get into places where no car can go. Many are used by older men and agricultural workers but even young teenage boys drive them, customising them with stereo systems and sporty wheels. I want one!
