Painting the Iconic Paros Windmill

I always enjoy painting Greek islands and this windmill on Paros is a real favourite of mine. The soft white walls, bright blue sky and warm light make it perfect for loose watercolour. In this scene I loved the strong shapes and the movement in the old sails of the mill. I kept the colours simple, using a mix of cerulean and ultramarine for the sky and a touch of burnt sienna for the roof. I added a few bold darks in the figures and cars to give contrast and help the windmill stand out.

When I painted this piece, I tried to keep the brushstrokes fresh and not overwork anything. I let the shadows fall across the buildings and the cars to suggest the bright midday sun you often feel in Greece. The mix of warm and cool colours helps keep the scene alive. I also left a few broken edges in the sky to give a feeling of light clouds drifting across.

I enjoyed adding the people in the foreground as simple shapes. They help bring life into the scene and stop it from feeling empty. The whole painting is quick and loose, but that is what I love about watercolour. You never want to be too tight with these sunny island subjects.

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