Painting Patmos

Painting Patmos, our Greek island home, is always a go-to for inspiration. I look through photos and suddenly I find myself reaching for the paints. Those deep blues always get me.

Since I'd been working on other things here in semi-lockdown, I wasn't painting much. Maybe non-stop at the easel had me hitting the wall, sort of. House things needed attention, too, I decided. With that in mind, I stepped away, but not for too long.

Leafing through my swipes of Patmos photos as I organized the space, and somehow the gouache paints were out, I taped off the watercolor paper, brushes were at the ready and I was painting Patmos again.

Okay so it's not my own photograph, but I always credit the photographer who posted their work. Always! I found this on Instagram and tagged the photog.

This was a great aerial view of this beautiful area of the island called Petra, rock in Greek. Petra is protected by UNESCO as an historic area, as is many spots in Patmos, both ancient and religious. Petra has this huge rock formation with cathedral sized caves, pathways, and amazing views. I love the various blue shades and the craggy shapes.

©DoraSislianThemelis, gouache on Arches paper, 8x10, Petra

Gouache has been interesting to work with. It's a water media, but the feel is more like acrylic paint.

I like the depth of the opaqueness and the strong color I get. Watercolor is ethereal, wispy, sheer. Gouache is the opposite. Just great to work with, the way I love oils. 

And now for a little fun, something oddly satisfying to artists, the tape pull! After I finished my work and the paint is dry, removing the tape is called "tape porn." As we pull off the masking tape the crisp edges are revealed!  Take a look:

Anyway, so Patmos...yes, can you tell I have a strong connection to painting this gorgeous place?