Day 73: Via delle Bombarde
Yesterday I was at a museum about the history of Florence and I saw a whole series of drawings and paintings done inside the narrow winding streets of the old center before it was partially destroyed and rearranged. I got really inspired and excited by these and since it was a clear sunny day I thought I would take my first shot at my own version.It’s crazy or silly that I’ve lived in Florence for 6 years now and have never dared to draw or paint one of these scenes from the narrow streets, they must be the most common paintings one sees from Florence apart from the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio. I guess I never dared because the drawing can be complicated and the light is moving so fast inside this narrow hall of streets.It was quite fun and exciting making this painting, and the light really was moving fast, as if someone had put the sun in fast forward, it was tough! I changed the light and shadow a few times and then quit, trying to remember how it was and to finish up the painting from there.I’m so impressed by how some of these 18th and 19th century painters did these scenes in these narrow alleys called streets in Florence, you would almost think that one had to be from Florence in order to get it right, to have the make up of this kind of street, so distinct in character, in order to pull off a painting like this with ease and grace, as if it were a lazy moment in the afternoon with everyone sleeping and time just standing still.Really if you live in or visit Florence, you should paint its streets, they are so unique to Florence in their light yet dark heaviness, I don’t know that there is any other place like it.Making this painting today reminded me just how lucky I am to be able to live in Florence and that despite the throngs of tourists there are quiet beautiful moments to be found. I think I will do more of these paintings until I can learn how to paint them as if I always had.Today, yet again, I learned to not stay away from the composition that I think is too hard for me, but rather to just dive in willingly and be ready to do it all over again.To buy today’s painting for $100, click here. To see all other paintings from the 100 day project click here. All paintings are 6×8″, painted on birch, unframed and cost $100 (+ $15 shipping). You can buy a painting directly from the website using paypal or by contacting me at kellyaskey@yahoo.comYou can share this project with someone by having them sign-up to recieve the daily E Newsletter here or by following the Blog here or by joining the 100 Paintings Facebook Group here.As always I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your enthusiasm for the project, thank you for following. I love hearing from you so write me anytime at kellyaskey@gmail.com.