I was able to spend around a fortnight in Les Houches, Chamonix this winter for some Alpine painting. This was the warmest winter on record and there was hardly any snow for the skiers. The warm weather was great for my purposes though and I like the look of patchy snow anyway. Here are a few of the sketches.

Les Jeurs, Switzerland 25×30 cm

Montroc-Le-Planet 25×30 cm

Chalets at Montroc 25×30 cm

Afternoon Sun 20x30cm

One thing I learned about alpine painting is that views compose much better if you can get the peaks shoulder height. Getting high up into the mountains opens up the views and means one is not stuck in the valley staring skywards all the time.

Melting Snow above Les Houches 20×30 cm

Chalet roofs at Plan de la Cry 30×40 cm

Melting Snowman 30×40 cm

Plan de la Cry 25×30 cm

Downstream 25×30 cm

One of the great things about Les Houches is that is is right on the border of both Switzerland and Italy. Though these countries are separated only by arbitrary lines, I seem to find the character changes even just a few miles in: Switzerland is more dramatic, Italy more romantic. It can be worth spending the day painting in Italy for the lunchtime pizza alone.

Above Les Jeurs, Switzerland 25×30 cm

Shadows at La Thuile, Italy 25×30 cm

Morning Sun, Les Houches 25×30 cm

Due to the relatively short length of my trip, I restricted myself to small working sizes. I did get out once with a larger canvas, though paradoxically this was the only time the light failed me.

At Les Jeurs, Switzerland 50×60 cm (unfinished)