Inspired from a wonderful trip to Provence, we were a little too early for the lavender to be blooming, but we rounded a corner leaving the hill town of Roussillon and came across this gorgeous field of poppies and yellow wildflowers. It was so colorful and joyful, it took my breath away! Set beneath a vibrant blue sky on a beautiful day in springtime, I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of energy. Coming in close on the poppies in the foreground so that you could see their vibrant petals and buds about to pop, I left the field of gold softer in the background so as to not take away from the focal point. A typical stone farmhouse sets in the background, beckoning you to stay the night and let all of your cares drift away.
Tag: Tuscany art
New Tuscany Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley at the Good Art Company
This painting is inspired from a trip to Tuscany we took a few years ago when my husband, who is a professional photographer, and I spent about a week scouring every inch of the countryside for the best poppy fields and views. I was particularly drawn to this peaceful scene, even if the poppies weren’t as prolific as in other fields. I loved the calming, sweeping shapes of the hills and the vibrant reds contrasting against the softer grasses and white wildflowers. The road beckons you back to the stone farmhouse in the distance, while dramatic voluminous clouds dance across the sky, mimicking the foreground shapes and creating a sense of harmony. Repeating colors throughout, I love how the Impressionists used vibrant hues to add to the mood of a scene and create flow, so I brought my contemporary approach with broad strokes and thick texture to their traditions. I hope you, too, can feel a sense of peace and joy when you gaze into this Tuscan landscape.
Day 3 Tuscany Art Trek, Siena
Painting in Montepulciano with Niki Gulley
Plein Air Painting in Tuscany with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
That afternoon it started to drizzle, so we picked a location that was covered where we could still paint and photograph. With the sky fairly overcast and the hues rather dull that afternoon, we used the cypress as our subject, but had fun playing with color. I think the results were even better than had it been a sunny day! Everyone’s paintings turned out beautiful, and that evening we treated ourselves to a fabulous tuscan dinner of pastas, pecorinos, meats and a little vino to treat ourselves. A great end to a fun filled day!
Tuscany Painting Workshop
Painting Florence, Italy with Niki Gulley
Sadly our Tuscany workshop has come to an end. Everyone had a wonderful time, and I thank you guys for making this such a memorable trip! From the amazing Tuscan vistas dotted with cypress, wildflowers and grape-vines, to the cobbled medieval hill towns, to the world-class museums & history-filled architecture, to the mouth-watering pastas, cheeses, meats & of course, wines, we will treasure the memories forever.