Bridge at Villafranca del Bierzo, on the Camino

I recently painted this view of the old stone bridge at Villafranca del Bierzo in Spain. It sits on the pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostela and is a favourite stop on the Camino. I loved the strong arch and the bright light bouncing under it, with calm reflections in the river below. I kept the drawing simple so the shapes and light could do the work.

For colour, I went with warm ochres and a touch of burnt sienna for the sunlit masonry, then mixed ultramarine with a little neutral tint for the deep shadow under the arch. The greens on the banks were a mix of spring green and a cooler blue to keep them fresh against the sky. I dropped a hint of lavender into the stone shadows to add variety and keep the greys lively.

Most of the reflections were wet in wet, letting the warm wall colours drift down into the water. I used dry brush for the rough stone textures and a few quick lines for the railings and the tiny figures. The light path on the right is a single warm wash, then a darker edge to lead the eye back to the bridge.

Villafranca del Bierzo has a long link with pilgrims, and many walkers cross this bridge as they continue towards Galicia. When I paint places like this, I try to capture that quiet pause on the journey.