Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella

The light in Marbella has a special way of cutting through the trees and hitting the white buildings. I sat down to capture this scene just as the restaurants in the square were getting ready for the lunch crowd. There is a specific energy in the air when the tables are being set and the first customers start to arrive. I wanted to show that transition from the quiet morning to the busy afternoon. The square is famous for its orange trees, and they provide these wonderful, deep shadows that stretch across the ground.

Have you ever struggled to make your shadows look transparent rather than muddy? It is a common question I get from students. The trick is to use a good mix of Ultramarine Blue and perhaps a touch of Alizarin Crimson or Neutral Tint. In this painting, I used those cool blues for the ground shadows to contrast against the bright, warm yellows and greens of the trees. The dark shapes of the chairs and tables help to anchor the composition and lead your eye into the middle of the square.

I kept the background building very simple with just a few light washes. By leaving the paper white in some areas, it creates that feeling of strong Spanish sunshine. For the foliage, I used a mix of Viridian Green and Quinacridone Gold to get those juicy, sun-lit greens. A few dabs of Cadmium Red represent the flowers and the bits of detail on the restaurant tables. It is all about suggesting the detail rather than painting every single leaf or fork.

If you like this painting of Marbella, it is currently for sale. Please contact me directly if you would like more information about adding it to your collection. Painting scenes like this reminds me why I love watercolour so much. It is the perfect medium for capturing light and atmosphere quickly. I hope this gives you some ideas for your next sun-drenched landscape.