John Raynes Chinese Connection

John Raynes, one of our regular tutors,  is preparing to publish a book on Sketching for the Chinese market.  Some time ago he was approached by the Guangxi Art Publishing House to produce a book about sketching and it is now at an advanced stage.

John's book is being published at a time of growth in painting as a leisure activity in China as economic changes have given people more time to pursue their interests. 

John has included many of his drawings and watercolour sketches that he made whilst teaching here at Les Bassacs.

Autumn in the Luberon

Like most of Europe we have had a beautiful autumn with fresh sunny days and mild temperatures.
The temperate weather in 2014 meant that trees that usually suffer in the summer heat and drought have had their water supply replenished throughout the growing season and as a result the valley has been dressed in fresh green leaves until the beginning of November.  Everywhere you go the ground is littered with an abundance of mushrooms, acorns and chestnuts.

Walking on the high plateau above St Jean de Sault, we came across this beautiful sweet chestnut tree and we filled our pockets with chestnuts.  Incredibly, there were poppies in bloom and fields of cut lavender which had re-flowered.

We also came across a field of sage with a faint stripe of lavender growing just next to it; simply glorious colours!