The merciless ocean of Santa Cruz, Portugal, as seen from the cliffs. I took the reference photo for this piece last summer, during the Santa Cruz International Watercolor Meeting, surrounded by world class watercolorists. But it took half a year to gather the confidence and skill to have a go at it! I invite you to take a look at the video and see what you think.

At the beaches of Lagos, in southwestern Portugal, the free semi-naked models and sketchable natural landscapes abound.

It is a complex territory, known for being heavily industrialized, but strangely enough, also for its vineyards and for being a haven for sun-seekers and nature-lovers. There are all kinds of small towns and villages, each with its own quirks and traditions.