From Como we headed to Les Houches, very close to Chamonix, for a week of summer alpine painting. The valley is stunningly beautiful, replete with mountain peaks, quaint chalets and glacial torrents.

Above the Mer de Glace 20x30cm

In the Alps 30x40cm

Chairlift above Les Houches 24x30cm

Mont Blanc 30x40cm

We found a torrent that became a favourite spot throughout the week, and though the startlingly beautiful naked bathers provided a bit of a distraction, we did manage to get some work done.

Rushing Torrent, Cascade du Berard 30x40cm

Torrent at Berard 24x30cm

Alpine Torrent at Berard I 24x30cm

Alpine Torrent at Berard II 24x30cm

Umbrellas at Cascade du Dard 24x30cm

We also spent a day painting at the Great St Bernard pass at the border of Switzerland and Italy, one of the most dramatic and scenic places we discovered on our trip and definitely worth returning to for longer periods.

Evening at the Great St Bernard’s Pass 30x40cm

We spent around eight days at the northern end of Lake Como, above the town of Domaso. Domaso seemed to be far north enough to avoid almost all the tourists, but still typically picturesque. On the first day I mistook an excess water drainage system for a safe alcove in which to keep my stuff during a downpour and came out, after the rain had stopped, to find my entire kit floating in the waves. From then on we had excellent weather, though I was still collecting washed up brushes off the beach at the end of the week.

Boats from Domaso 24x30cm

Domaso Piazza 24x30cm

Sails from Domaso 24x30cm

The vicoli were invariably charming, and provided good cover from the midday sun, occasional shower and most of the tourists.

Vicolo in Menaggio 24x30cm

Bellano 30x40cm

Mooring Post I, Moltrasio 24x30cm

Vicolo I in Domaso 24x30cm

Mooring Post II, Moltrasio 24x30cm

Vicolo II in Domaso 24x30cm

We got up into the hills occasionally, and found a bunch of kids playing who were keen to pose for our paintings. We wanted to get their donkey, Furia, in too, but as her name suggests she wouldn’t stay put.

In the Hills, Montemezzo 24x30cm

Above Plesio 30x40cm

Evening, Domaso 24x30cm

A blog seemed like a good place to compile and keep track of work produced in a somewhat itinerant lifestyle. I similarly needed a better response to people asking to see my work on line. Having just finished a couple of weeks sketching in Italy and France, this seemed like a good place to start, so here goes…