L'Ourthe

In the Ardennes rivers are very different from the ones we have at home, so it is a nice challenge to paint one. At the point where we were, the river Ourthe is very shallow at some places with little waterfalls and rapids. Nothing you can't wade through if you'd want to.
The stones of the riverbanks were overgrown with brambles and there were more bushes in the background. In the riverbed were either large stones creating little rapids or shallow beds of pebbles that were partly above the water.

I wanted to paint those stones and pebbles, the flowing water and the restful mood of the area.

More information about this watercolour (size, colours used etc.) can be found at www.jannekesatelier.co.nr

Day by day - Ardennes, day two

Today had a very sunny beginning, so we decided to paint outdoors. The theme of this week is Reflections and Playing so next to a river there is a lot of inspiration be found. We did not go far, just crossed the bridge and walked by the river untill we came to a piece of grassland where we all could set up our things  and start painting
The small one is my first work of today, painted almost on the spot after a quick sketch. The first painting of a week like this is always a try-out. Testing the environment, the weather, the teachers....
Having time left before lunch, I made a second sketch and painted the large one after lunch. I am much more pleased with that one and I will make a more detailed blog post about it when I am back home.

Day by day -Ardennes

This week I will try to write every day. I am on a painting vacation in the Ardennes, a region in Belgium. This day is the day of arrival, so I had a ride of over 260 km, mostly in rainy weather.
The photo gives an impression of the location, a large house next to a bridge over the river Ourthe.
Since there was a lot of rain today, I did not venture far on my first walk here.
There will be more reports!