Painting the Court of the Pool
One of the highlights of any visit to Granada is the Court of the Pool. It's a combination of all the best parts of the Alhambra: glorious colours, water features and attention to detail.
The best place to admire the symmetry of the Comares Palace is from the far side of the pool. On a sunny day, it reflects the pink undertones of the palace, the purple shadows under the arches and the rich blues of the sky.
The pool is framed lengthways by myrtle bushes, which is why the courtyard is also known as the Court of the Myrtles. A small fountain bubbles into the pool at either end. The continual trickle of water soothes the soul.
One of my favourite questions that's pondered in fantasy novels is what happens when you stare into a pool of water. This courtyard is the perfect place for such wonder because the surface of the pool is so still, even though the body of water is being constantly replenished.
The watercolours themselves also reflect a kind of fantasy setting. I've chosen bright and dreamy colours while trying to retain the sense of harmony that's so important to the real life experience of the Alhambra. So, I focused on creating symmetry and centred the piece around two sets of complementary colors:
- the pink of the palace against the green of the myrtle bushes; and
- the turquoise of the pool and sky against the orange roofs.
This piece was such a joy to paint. The Court of the Pool projects so many different emotions and colours depending on the light. I can’t wait to capture it again in a different season!
If you've visited the Alhambra, what was your biggest 'wow' moment of the visit?
What do you think you'd see if you stared into the depths of the pool?
Sketches from Granada celebrates every-day moments of connection with strangers, friends and ourselves. I know how easy it is not to be present in your life, and I hope these sketches inspire you to seek out the moments worth savouring in your own life.
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