Bridge over tranquil waters
Today I visited Pont-Aven in Brittany, which is named after the river that runs through it. This is a real haven for artists, and there are many galleries along its idyllic streets. The town is well known for its association with Paul Gauguin, the post-Impressionist painter, as well as artist Émile Bernard and the École de Pont-Aven art movement.
It's a lovely place to stroll around and take in the picturesque buildings and gorgeous river views. I crossed over a bridge that on first viewing appeared to be made of wood, but on closer inspection it was made of concrete and had been made to look like wood. We stood there for a while and watched a cormorant diving amongst the fish, he seemed to be failing to catch anything but finally he triumphantly emerged with an eel in his mouth. The eel was not giving in easily and the cormorant appeared to lose it a couple of times, but after a few minutes of struggling he swallowed it whole. I gave him a little clap for his efforts and the great show he had provided. Though I felt a little sorry for the eel too!
We found a lovely restaurant right next to the river, Le Moulin du Grand Poulguin. Pont-Aven was known for its watermills, this restaurant still has a working water wheel.
We had a fantastic view from the window of the bridge as we ate our lunch, so obviously I got my sketchbook out and made a drawing.
I used a black fine liner pen to draw the view of the bridge, river and trees. The cidre (cider) and the crêpes helped with the drawing process!
I finished off the picture by bleeding the pen with a damp brush and adding a splash of watercolour.
'The Tree Bridge' 2017
Looks like a really lovely spot! Sometimes I think it would be fun to create an "Art Bucket List" that was all made up of places with great art traditions and places that have been painted over and over. There must be a very special creative atmosphere there...
Oh definitely, so many artists here and steeped in art history too.
Love the result!
that's a very beautiful pont!
That's a super cool @opheliafu. Do you have a portfolio website with all of your work?
http://www.opheliafu.co.uk/ There is a selection on here. My Steemit blog has a lot more though.
Hello there. Really interesting story and even better art work and pics. I thinks it's really all been said in the comments but seeing where you were and what you did was fascinating. You do have talent and I enjoyed the post very much. I really was surfing around and stumbled across this. Glad I did and you have a new follower.
A successful stumble I hope! Thank you @Stillwater :D
I think it will be and I look forward to more.
Your sketches are good for a fast drawing, I do not know how to draw but I visit the galleries a lot, I can spend an hour glancing at an art piece, it helps me think through difficult times.
Yes @xpency, Art can be an amazing source of inspiration and healing!
I can testify that, all you have to do is watch, and it changes your emotions.
Looks am amazing place and fantastic art work as usual :)
It is a beautiful place, well worth a visit.
Looks lovely, would love to retire in France.
Very beautiful! And I really like you showing where you were drawing from. It's interesting to think about the artists perspective like that.
It's fun for people to see the creative process I think :D
Really great, your pictures as your designs are amazing. You have a talent! I'll follow you. Good work!
Awesome! Thank you @izbing
Painters always amaze me. Finding everyday views and making them even better on paper.
A great compliment for all painters- very cool!
To me that bridge appeared normal, until I noticed your drawing of it. That was a quick transformation of mundane everyday object to a thing of beauty!
It was a quirky bridge, so I had to draw it!
Wow!! This is living in your creation!
Thank you @uday625 :D
love this one! very beautiful. I gave you a shoutout in my first art post: https://steemit.com/art/@jeffjagoe/hopping-into-art-a-fire-breathing-space-lizard
Oooh going to check it out!
It looks like the tree is almost growing through and becoming one with the bridge. Love the whimsical feeling the light foliage in the painting gives. And the splashes of red accents. Resteeming @opheliafu 🌹🌿🌹
Thank you so much, that's very kind!
Best work of art...Amazing creativity ....
Happy you enjoyed the post!
Most welcome...
As always, very impressive work - what talent!
That's very kind, thank you.
I love these shades of color, continuous! Good work !
Great, glad you liked it!
I never saw such watercolor! Does it get together is some kind of a tower? (I don't know how to say it in english, I hope I made my point:)
Haha, yes! Koh-L-Noor do a set that stacks- great for travelling with, they sort of twist together with the mixing tray on top. I have a second travel watercolour set with me but that is more traditional watercolour blocks.
Had no idea that Koh-i-Noor produces watercolor:) What about quality? I refused from their pencils and erasers cause they're a complete fail for drawing (as for me. Or may be I just bought fake)
I only use their watercolours, couldn't say about the rest.
Great Post.
I like that you added!
Thank you!
Sketching and painting the world around me is one of my favorites. I almost always have my sketchbook on me and my plein air backpack ready. Beautiful spot. Very whimsical!
Looks amazing, I love water color painting specially when the colors used like this, It seems like a great experience you had, loved it.
Wow, how beautiful you have left. You have an incredible artistic vein.
Greetings.
What a gift to have!⭐️
you are so talented and really capture the beauty
Music has always been my medium of choice, but I sure wish I had some of your talent.
Nature is such a beautiful thing. I love how the river runs through the town. You had a great spot to stay at too! It makes me want to visit. Not to mention you have some very good sketching skills :)
Yet, another masterful, beautiful work of art. A bridge has never looked so intriguing before.
That is really a nice painting @opheliafu!!
------ @cmgsteems I am an 8 year-old kid on Steemit! :)
Congratulations lady @opheliafu for this extraordinary work, I really like her creative power, I admire her talent.
have a beautiful day
Wow nice drawing. You have a talent @opheliafu
I like the idea of a tree bridge, i would like to see big cities recycling nature in this way. Its a thought.
Seeing your work makes my day.
It's a lovely place, and lovely artwork.
I always so envy to other's drawing talent. :)
looks great! and amazing painting!!!
Beautiful art!!! Amazingly done:)Great
upvoted
Beautiful drawing! The touches of water colour give it a lovely addition
Ooh your post makes me want to travel back to Pont Aven ! It really is a lovely place, but I am partial, I ADORE Brittany, this is my favourite place in France just after my city Annecy ;-) Brittany is a hosting place of fairies and legends, a perfect spot for creative minds
Thanks for your post Ophelia !
so beautiful! I admire your art. Follow you for more.
@opheliafu I actually prefer much more your painting than the real image of the place :)
Well done!