Algarve and Costa Alentejana Paintings

Plein air painting of a view from the fortress at Arrifana, Portugal.
View from the Fortress at Arrifana. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

We were back in the Algarve painting landscapes this October. Here are a few of the images. As before, we were based in the small town of Praia da Luz, outside of Lagos. And, as before, we had great weather and were constantly inspired by the beauty of the area.

painting of the cliffs at Ponta da Piedade
Cliffs at Ponta da Piedade. 35 x 25 cm, oil on panel.
painting of the rocks at Dona Ana
Rock Formations, Dona Ana. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
painting of Praia da Dona Ana
Praia da Dona Ana. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Ponta da Piedade Cliffs
Ponta da Piedade Back-lit. Oil on panel, 30 x 20 cm.
oil painting of afternoon light near lagos, portugal.
Afternoon Light, Ponta da Piedade. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
painting of the rocks at Don Camilo beach
Afternoon Light, Don Camilo. 24 x 18 cm, oil on panel.

We painted the rock formations around Lagos a lot as it’s a subject that I find both new and inspiring. Much of the coast in the Algarve faces south, so one has a choice of the various light effects all day long. It’s also easier for working en plein air as there is usually less wind than on the western coast.

That said, we did head over to the western beaches a couple of times:

Painting of the cliffs at Dos Mouranitos Beach
Cliffs, Dos Mouranitos. 30 x 20 cm, oil on panel.
oil painting of Praia do Castelejo
Praia do Castelejo. 20 x 25 cm, oil on panel.

And we painted a lot around Praia da Luz, where we were staying. I’ve always loved painting palm trees.

Painting of Luz, Algarve, Portugal
Praia da Luz. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
painting of a palm tree and road, praia da luz, portugal.
Praia da Luz #2. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
painting of Praia da Luz at sunset
Afternoon Light, Praia da Luz. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.
sunset painting of praia da luz.
Sunset, Praia da Luz. 18 x 25 cm, oil on panel.

At the end of our trip we drove up to Porto Covo, on the Alentejano coast. It’s also a very beautiful area, less dramatic than further south, but with the authenticity we like so much in this region.

painting of porto covo, alentejo, portugal.
Porto Covo. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
oil painting of fishing huts in porto covo
Fishing Huts, Porto Covo. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
painting frmo the fort of pessegueiro, alentejo, portugal.
View from the Fort at Pessegueiro. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
painting of fishing boats in porto covo.
Fishing Boats, Porto Covo. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Overall it was a great trip. September and October can be two of the harder months for landscape painting in Europe as the colors go very brown in the countryside. The fields are tilled and left, and the rains start again. The coast of Portugal is a great area for painting in this time of year as it’s still often very warm and dry, and the light is as beautiful as always. I highly recommend it.

sunset painting of the algarve, portugal.
Sunset, Praia da Luz. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Paintings of Portugal

Plein air painting of cliffs near Peniche, Portugal.

Cliffs near Peniche. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

We spent our September this year plein air painting in Portugal. It was the first time I had visited the country and we started from the north near Apulia, and worked our way south to the Algarve. We had great weather, with the exception of some fog on the coast. The food was terrific (and inexpensive) and the people were all really friendly.

Outside of the cities, Portugal and California look very similar. From the ubiquitous eucalyptus trees, to the cliffs looking down on an ocean teaming with surfers, to the rolling hills with golden grass and cork trees (which look like California live oaks), to the traditional whitewashed architecture which is similar to the Spanish colonial buildings, there were many times when I did a double-take to remember where I was. The light, like in California, is especially beautiful.

Plein air landscape painting of villas in Sintra, Portugal.

Villas in Sintra. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of a street in Evora, Alentejo, Portugal.

Bougainvillea, Évora. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of buildings in Porto, Portugal.

Porto, the Waterfront. 30 x 20 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of market stalls in Porto, Portugal.

Market Stalls, Porto. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Oil painting of a park in Coimbra, Portugal.

Pavilion in a Park, Coimbra. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Painting of a street in Aveiro, Portugal.

Street in Aveiro. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of a church in the Alentejo, Portugal.

Igreja de São Brissos, Alentejo, 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of a street in Lisbon, Portugal.

Street in Lisbon. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

 

The light in the Algarve is stunning. Since the coast faces south, the sun is above the water most of the day. The area is more built-up than other coastal areas that we visited, but there were a lot of wonderful views.

Plein air painting of the Praia de Dona Ana in Lagos, Portugal.

Praia de Dona Ana #1. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of the Praia de Dona Ana, Lagos, the Algarve.

Praia de Dona Ana #2. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of the praia do Tonel, Sagres, Portugal.

Praia do Tonel, Sagres. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of sunset in the Algarve.

Evening Light, Algarve. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of Praia do Camilo near Lagos, Portugal.

Praia do Camilo. 35 x 25 cm, oil on panel.

As pretty as Lisbon and Porto are, we didn’t spend a lot of time in the bigger cities as we were traveling with a dog and the smaller towns and countryside were more manageable.

Plein air painting of the Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal.

Sycamores at the Belém Tower, Lisbon. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of the Church of São Domingos in Lisbon, Portugal.

Igreja de São Domingos, Evening Light (Lisbon). 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air landscape painting of the windmills near Apulia, Portugal.

Windmills on the Beach, Apulia. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air painting of Viana do Castelo, Portgual.

Street in Viana do Castelo. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air landscape painting of Rossio Marques de Pombal in Estremoz, Alentejo, Porgugal.

Rossio Marques de Pombal, Estremoz. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.