This is an unusual book as it as about painting purely in Venice. Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the World, partly due to the absence of motor vehicles. It has many other qualities and surely is the most painted city in the World. I've been three times, briefly on two occasions, the last on a small ship which cruised the Venice lagoons including a trip to Chioggia, another favourite artists location. At night and on a couple of days we moored up just along from the main square so were able to explore the city. All is not well however as depopulation has been steadily taking place, and if you venture much beyond the central area signs of dereliction are evident. They are trying to reverse this process and bring people back to the city.
Approx. 91/2" x 101/2" 96 pages Softback Price. £24 + £3.20postage. Available only from Judi at judi@watercolour.co.uk or see www.watercolour.co.uk
I should explain I'm not entirely impartial when it comes to Judi. I've known Judi and Pete for some years having done several workshops with her both in the Cotswolds and at Crantock bay in Cornwall. We were also fellow students on a 10 day Charles Reid EPC workshop in Catalonia. Both my wife and Pete were there as non- painting partners and it worked both as an enjoyable and informative workshop as well as a holiday This also applied to Crantock Bay which my wife loved, again as a non-painting partner, and Pete was the course organizer. Sadly Crantock is no more. Many happy memories. My two biggest influences have been Judi, Charles Reid with Gerard Hendriks more recently. One comment she made at Crantock has remained in my memory `if you take one thing from this course then it will have been worthwhile'. Very true.
How do I describe this book? It is a very personal one that reflects Judi's love affair with Venice.There is a foreword by Charles Reid followed by 10 chapters plus a unique map of viewpoints,that are identified and described throughout the book. Included are 96 original paintings and much information on what to do, where to paint and other information simply not available elsewhere. Quite apart from the Venice aspect her experiences as an artist over many years, and what she has learned, are in this book If you are intending to paint in Venice, whatever your medium, I would think this book is unique and possibly essential. Whenever I've been there there are always artists at work and large numbers make annual trips.
Apart from the subject there is lots more other information, mostly reflecting Judi's unique style and way of working and many. many tips regarding paints, developing your own individual style and so on. What more can I say?
This book is self produced by Judi and printed by Short Run Press Limited. It will have a limited print run so could easily become a collectors item. I know of no other book like it. Yes the price is high for a softback of 96 pages but this is explained by my previous comments.
I've received a request for some illustrations from the book. Allowing for my amateur photography here are some. I might add having seen a large number of Judi's original paintings, both at exhibitions amd workshops, I've always felt that reproductions in magazines and books don't do them full justice.
Judi & Peter Whitton in Venice yesterday - photographed by Mick Carney who just happens to be there.
