"Tuscan Drive" pastel by Niki Gulley

"Tuscan Drive" ©2012 Niki Gulley

pastel • 14" x 11"

This quintessential Tuscan farmhouse framed by the cone-shaped cypress trees is so indicative of Tuscany and the area that we stay in that it's hard not to paint it! This scene is just around the corner from where we stay while we're teaching our Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop each September and I've always liked how the curving lines of the gravel driveway lead you up the hill. I wanted to add a lot of color and energy to the foreground grasses to create a joyful feeling, much like most everyone experiences being in Tuscany.

If you'd like to come along Aug. 31 - Sept. 8 for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting / Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. Register by Jan. 13th for a $500 discount. We'd love to have you join us!

To see more of my plein-air paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Tuscany Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

"Sienna Passageway" ©2011 Niki Gulley

SOLD • pastel • 10" x 8"

Just sold! I painted this pastel of Sienna, Italy on our last Plein Air Painting & Photography workshop that my husband and I taught in Tuscany. Sienna is such an interesting town, with the narrow cobble streets forming a labyrinth of passageways, the energy of the people in the central square, the ancient stone architecture and unusual adornments, and the picturesque views from the rambling hillsides. We just love it!

From our last Tuscany workshop, one of my students composing her painting of one of the picturesque Tuscan hill towns.

If you'd like to join us for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, Sept. 2 -10, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information, or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. With limited space and a final registration deadline of April 9th quickly approaching, let me know if you'd like to join us!

NikiGulley.com