This original artwork is inspired by the medieval villages of the south of France. With their winding lanes, ancient stone buildings and unexpected paths leading around every corner, these fascinating villages seem to invite you to explore them one turn at a time.
The scene is set at dusk, when the last warmth of the evening light begins to fade and the bright moon starts to take over the sky. Warm lights glowing from windows and doorways are mirrored by the cool light of the moon, creating an atmospheric contrast that brings the village to life.
I particularly enjoy the way evening light reveals the character of old buildings. The changing light catches the uneven brickwork and weathered stone, bringing out textures and details that can easily be overlooked during the brighter hours of the day. Shadows deepen in the narrow passages while small pools of light tempt you to wonder what might lie around the next corner.
The winding paths are an important part of the composition. Rather than showing a single grand view, I wanted the artwork to capture the feeling of wandering through an old French village with no particular destination in mind — choosing one narrow lane, then another, simply to see where it leads.
It is perhaps at dusk that these historic villages are at their most magical. As daylight disappears and the lights begin to twinkle, the boundary between the present and the medieval past seems to become just a little less distinct.
 
Subject: Medieval Village in south of France
Medium: Pen and monochrome colour pencil
Paper: Acid-free cartridge paper
Image size: 59 × 41 cm
Framed: No
Original: Yes
Certificate of Authentication: Yes
Artist: Graham McKenzie-Smith