Cycling from Arraiolos to
Évora along the Ecopista is a great way to start an adventure: a smooth,
well-graded cycle path along the former railway track. The railway opened in 1907 (opened further
north to Mora in 1908) and closed in 1990. Along the way are several old
railway buildings and I presume my subject was a small station or railway
cottage. Whatever, it was great spot for a picnic lunch with figs from the old
tree out the back sweeter than any from the supermercado.
I used
wax crayons as a ‘resist’, that is, the waxy crayon resists the water-based
paint causing the latter to do deliciously unpredictable things. I used orange crayon
along the top of the front wall and then white to give a general effect of
decrepitude. Pleasingly (and coincidentally I should add) it gave the
impression of speed, as though I was racing past on the bike. The brown pencil
was a quick under-drawing while I was balancing on a rock eating figs, juggling
my implements, and savouring a snatched moment of bliss.
