Largo das Neves, Santa Teresa
Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Where the tram turns around

Surrounded by beautiful small two store buildings from 19th century, this Santa Teresa´s bucolic square often acts as scenario for movies and commercial ads. I set up my painting gear in front of the old church and started my composition.
The tram had already its place reserved on my canvas, it was just a matter of time and it would come to model for me. When it started its run my work was already structured and little by little the lazy Sunday morning started to wake up; locals and tourists heading the center of the square called my attention, from far away it could be heard the sound of berimbau (Brazilian musical instrument). People started to gather and I heard from a passerby that a Brazilian Capoeira show would start in some minutes.For a short period of time I was undecided, should I watch the show or should I go on with my painting? This sort of game, fight, dance is really amazing the players literally fly!
The unexpected crowd jumped into my canvas in quick brushstrokes. I had made my mind for the painting. When I finally could close my easel, the show was about to come to its end.


Largo das Neves, Santa Teresa –oil on linen 60x80cm – Sandra Nunes

If you liked this one you will like to see these paintings.

Posted bySandra Nunes at 10:27 AM 4 comments    

Labels: berimbau, bonde de santa teresa, brazilian art, Brazilian Landscapes, capoeira, rio de janeiro painting, Sandra Nunes, santa teresa tram, tramway

Plein Air Painting time lapse demo
Sunday, February 8, 2009

This is a short clip registering 3.30 h. work condensed in 1.55". It is very cumbersome to do this on a busy the sidewalk and it wouldn´t have been possible without assistance.

Catete Street, Rio de Janeiro oil on linen 54x65cm

Posted bySandra Nunes at 7:09 PM 2 comments    

Labels: bar getúlio, brazilian art, brazilian artist, oil on canvas, plein air painting, Rio de janeiro landscapes

Sunny Day at Guanabara Bay
Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Finally the sun came for two days in a row and with it the weather that suits this city so well. From the first hours of the day on we can learn that the temperature is going to be very high, what can also be a challenge to the plein air painter.

I headed to the same spot where I did the first 2009 plein air painting (please, check the previous post) in search of that friendly leafy tree which gave me shelter from the rain. This time it provided me the shade I needed to protect me from the unbearable warmth of the sun.

I decided to do the same composition of the last sketch just for fun and the silvery grays gave way to the warm light of Rio de Janeiro summertime.

Posted bySandra Nunes at 8:16 PM 0 comments    

Labels: boats, brazilian art, brazilian artist, Brazilian Landscapes, comtemporary landscape, guanabara bay, plein air painting, Praia da Urca, seascapes, summertime

Sketching in the Rain
Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The weather didn´t give a signal of improving and my desire of painting outdoors was increasing at each rainy day. I decided to take the risk and despite the threatening heavy clouds in the sky, I went in search of that beautiful light that only rainy days can provide. I went to the seashore where the reflective water surface shows thousands of gray hues and the wind that moves the vessels provoques exquisite graphisms.

I found a huge leafy tree which, like a big green umbrella, would protect me for a time from an upcoming heavy rain . I sat on the bulwark and I thought I´d better not attaching the tripod to my pochade box as in case of an emergency it would be faster to get out.

Posted bySandra Nunes at 7:54 PM 0 comments    

Labels: brazilian art, Contemporary Landscape Artists, oil on canvas, plein air painting, Rio de janeiro landscapes, Seascape