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.

Algarve Plein Air Paintings

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

We recently returned from a couple of weeks of painting in the Algarve region of Portugal. It’s a stunning area, with fascinating geological elements all along the southern coast. Here are some of the paintings:

Praia de Dona Ana #2. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.
Praia de Dona Ana #3. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Praia do Camilo. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
The Tunnel at Praia do Camilo. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Ponta da Piedade Cliffs. 35 x 25 cm, oil on panel.
Afternoon Light, Ponta da Piedade. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Plein air landscape painting of rocks in the water in the Algarve.
Rocks at Ponte da Piedade. 30 x 20 cm, oil on panel.
Sunset, Ponte da Piedade. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

At the same time, the western coast has a wildness and a grandeur to it that feels a lot like the best parts of the California Central Coast.

Cabo de São Vicente from Praia do Beliche. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Praia do Beliche. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Fisherman, Praia da Barriga. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
The Port in Sagres. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Boats in the Harbor, Sagres. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Praia da Zimbreirinha. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

We were staying just west of Lagos, but we painted around the town a bunch of times as well. It was especially great to be outside as we’ve been in lockdown more or less since September. This was our first foray out to paint plein air landscapes in months.

The Harbor in Lagos. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Boat on Blocks. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Sailing Club, Lagos. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Sago Palm and Bougainvillea. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.
Cliffs of Luz. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.