Since moving to the Algarve in Portugal I’ve expanded my passion for urban sketching people, to include sketching buildings — especially local street scenes including Tavira, Cabanas, Conceição, and Cacela Velha. Although I may paint the same scene multiple times, each time there are subtle differences that make each painting a unique work of art. No two are ever exactly the same.
My paintings are a simplified interpretation of scenes that capture my imagination and inspire me to create. I often take photos at severe angles so the edges of the buildings have a warped perspective. I think this approach is much more interesting than an eye-level straight-on vantage point. Each piece of art is sketched with a fountain pen in ink, and completed with professional grade watercolour.
Tavira Churches (Igrejas de Tavira)
Igreja de Santiago, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
28.5cm (w) x 20cm (h)
Igreja de Santiago, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
28.5cm (w) x 20cm (h)
Back of the Hermitage of São Brás and the tables of Ti Maria Restaurant
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1) with white Matting (not pictured here)
28.5cm (w) x 20cm (h)
Pousada Convento (Convent Hotel) Tavira,
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
28.5cm (w) x 20cm (h)
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
28.5cm (w) x 20cm (h)
Igreja de Santiago, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
12.5cm (w) x 23.5cm (h) , with double matting
Igreja de Santiago, Igreja de Santa Maria, and Camera Obscura, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
14cm (w) x 9cm (h)
Igreja de Santiago, Igreja de Santa Maria, and Camera Obscura, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
14cm (w) x 9cm (h)
Igreja de Santiago and Igreja de Santa Maria, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
9cm (w) x 14cm (h)
Igreja de Santiago, Igreja de Santa Maria, and Camera Obscura, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
14cm (w) x 9cm (h)
Igreja de San Francisco, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
14cm (w) x 9cm (h)
Igreja de San Francisco, Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
9cm (w) x 14cm (h)
Tavira Street Scene
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
14cm (w) x 9cm (h)
Tavira Street Scene
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
14cm (w) x 9cm (h)
Cacela Velha
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Cacela Velha
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
9cm (w) x 14cm (h)
Cabanas de Tavira
Cabanas Mercado, Cabanas de Tavira
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
9cm (w) x 14cm (h)
Conceição de Tavira
Tv. Júlio Parra, Conceição (just off Rua 25 de Abril)
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
9cm (w) x 14cm (h)
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Conceição
Original Ink and Watercolour (1/1)
14cm (w) x 9cm (h)
Tavira and the surrounding towns and villages in the Algarve have inspired my artwork and my creative spirit. Long may it continue…
I love your sketches, I will try the severe angle photography to see if I can get a more interesting slant on my ladies.
Thanks Annie … I much prefer painting buildings when there’s severe angles and perspectives involved. I think it makes a static scene more dynamic.
You have a distinctive style, how did you develop it?
Hello Maria … it has taken a while to develop a style that I’m comfortable and confident with! Just loads and loads of practice, and lots of rubbish sketches ..
I love your pictures – I’ve been bringing my children to this little part of the world for years and we have some lovely memories from cacelha velha and conceicao…
Thanks Catherine — I’m sure it’s changed a lot over the years, but we’re lucky that a lot of the charm of the East Algarve has been retained.