Painting at Reids Palace Madeira

A year ago I visited the gardens at Reid's Palace and made a drawing from the seat above.

I then pencilled some of the drawing onto a thick watercolour paper and laid down some under washes. Then it was time to go back to the UK. I took some photos as well and thought I would finish it later. That didn't happen so back in Madeira a year later I visited the garden again to do some more work on the painting. I went on two different mornings, both gloriously sunny and watched the dappled light and shadows change. I chose a moment to paint the shadows from the branches and foliage  when they were cast on the steps

There are tables on the balconies waiting for visitors for the famous afternoon tea.

I enjoyed afternoon tea there some years ago.

Above left the under washes               above right ( a year later!)   the next stages

Below

 Not really quite finished.......... what I may do is start another, simplify it a bit and retain some of my observations.

and here it is 12th Dec 2021

Reid's Palace Madeira

'Reids Palace' watercolour (c) Tessa Spanton

(The colours in the original painting are nicer. I'll take another photo when the weather is brighter, it's very grey in London today)

At last this painting is finished. It was the last of the sequence described below and was about 3/4 ready last January when it was time to come home. I have had a break over Christmas and decided to do some more work on it.

This building looks amazing, high up and rising up from the rocks where the sea is pounding below and looking like a pink confection against the backdrop of mountains.

 I chose roughly the same time each day, around 11 am, to work outside. First I made some sketches and a tonal study. I spent between 1/2 hour to an hour at a time. Much longer and the lighting had changed. It was sunny so the lighting of the building was good though some days so windy that my papers would have blown away if they hadn't been clipped down.

                      
                         Reids Palace Maderia Aquarelle pencil (c) Tessa Spanton

The image above was done with a blue aquarelle pencil and a little water, inspired by the Portuguese azulejos. Very convenient when working outside as all you need is one blue aquarelle pencil and a small brush that can be filled with water like a fountain pen.

In a previous post I showed paintings that I had done of the other side of Reids. here

Reid's Palace in Aquarelle Pencil

Reids Palace Maderia Aquarelle pencil (c) Tessa Spanton

I started writing this blog 2 years and I day ago. Last year I posted some paintings I had done of Reids Palace To see the post click here

I visited Madeira again last month and did some new paintings while I was there. I drew Reids again, this time from the other side as seen from the Cliff Bay hotel. I chose roughly the same time each day, around 11am, to make some sketches and a tonal study. I spent between 1/2 hour to an hour at a time. Much longer and the lighting had changed. It was sunny so the lighting of the building was good though some days so windy that my papers would have blown away if they hadn't been clipped down.

The image above was done with a blue aquarelle pencil and a little water, inspired by the Portuguese azulejos. Very convenient when working outside as all you need is one blue aquarelle pencil and a small brush that can be filled with water like a fountain pen.

When this was finished I started a watercolour of the same view. The building looks amazing, high up and rising up from the rocks where the sea is pounding below and looking like a pink confection against the backdrop of mountains.

This painting is not quite finished so I'll save it for another post.

I also had the opportunity to visit the gardens at Reids and that too will be for another post.

Blogaversary Post

Today is my blogaversary! I have been writing this blog for a year now. Thanks for reading and leaving me your comments. This blog's non identcal twin Raspberry and Chipotle shares this date.

The picture above is another that I did of Reid's Palace. It is the view from the Royal Savoy.( See yesterday's post)

I used a blue aquarelle pencil for the drawing and then brushed on some water to create washes. I was inspired by the lovely blue and white tiles called azulejos that are to be seen in Madeira and mainland Portugal.

We visited the Casa Museo de Frederico de Freitos where there is an amazing extensive collection of decorative tiles.

Reid's Palace Madeira

I am just back from my holiday in Madeira. I painted this watercolour sitting by the sea looking up at this sugar pink building perched on a cliff and surrouded by palms and exotic plants.
This elegant and luxurious hotel was one of the first built on the island. I have been there for afternoon tea. I sat on the balcony under the arches with the terra cotta roof.
People go there to celebrate special birthdays and anniversaries. Winston Churchill used to stay there.

This view is from the Royal Savoy.
This painting is for sale in my etsy shop here