Rio de Janeiro - 2025
In August 2025, I visited the city of Rio de Janeiro. It was an incredible experience, as I had the opportunity to draw some of Brazil's most famous landscapes.
With perfect weather, ideal for exploring the tourist attractions to the fullest and for dedicating myself to en plein air drawing, the adventure began with a cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain. The views from the top are truly stunning and provide a unique perspective of Guanabara Bay and the beaches. The next day, I visited Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain. The monument is impressive, and the panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro is simply breathtaking.
For a moment of tranquility, the Botanical Garden was the right choice. I walked along its green pathways, observed the diversity of Brazilian species, and was enchanted by the famous imperial palm tree garden. I also set aside time to visit the beaches of Recreio. Away from the hustle and bustle of Copacabana and Ipanema, Recreio offers a more peaceful environment, with wide sands, strong waves, and a beautifully natural setting.
The painting process was a fundamental part of this trip. The search for the perfect composition began with choosing the location: I looked for viewpoints that captured the essence of each scene, whether the grandeur of Christ the Redeemer, the texture of the Sugarloaf Mountain slopes, or the details of the vegetation in the garden. The quality of the sunlight, especially in the late afternoon, was crucial for this decision, as it defined the shadows, highlighted the volumes, and created a unique atmosphere in each scene.
To capture these moments, I prioritized a lightweight and practical kit of materials that I could easily carry during all my outings. I brought ink pens for quick sketches and outlining contours, and a selection of dry and oil pastels to apply layers of color and capture the intensity of the Rio light. All the work was done on 300gsm paper, secured with adhesive tape to a portable drawing board.
This combination of materials was perfect: robust enough to withstand different techniques, yet compact enough not to weigh down my backpack, allowing me to draw comfortably at each chosen location. It was a personal and deeply rewarding way to immortalize the beauty I witnessed.
