Reflections in a Padova Canal

In my previous 2 posts about drawing from photos, I added those pen and watercolour sketches to my travel journal, but in this instance, I used a photo for a separate watercolour assignment. The class assignment was to find a painting subject with interesting water reflections.

I selected a photo of a small canal in Padova (Padua), just down the street from St. Anthony’s Basilica. I approached this painting as if I was doing a sketch in my journal, with a lot of realism. It wasn’t my initial intention, but I think I was transported back to the spot, standing on the bridge wishing I could whip out my journal and draw.

As for the water reflections, I had painted in water reflections in previous journal sketches, but very tentatively – I have been afraid of wrecking the drawing. And of course I chose a subject this time that had a variety of reflections, not easy. Many thanks to my watercolour teacher, Jayne Cangemi, for helping me determine the order of painting these reflections and encouraging me to go bold!

For a sharper view of the painting, give it a click.