See the Algarve through the eyes of the Old Masters

The idea...

It started, as things often do, with an innocuous conversation with Dave over the breakfast table one morning:

Dave, scrolling through his Facebook feed: “Did you know there’s a programme here that can turn photos into paintings?”

Me: “Yes, I’ve seen it. I think there are quite a few programmes out there now.”

Dave: “Some of the results are pretty amazing.”

Me: “I know. It’s bonkers, really, what they can do now with technology. I mean, could they create a painting in the style of someone? Like, one of my New Wave paintings? That would save me some work!”

And then still me, an idea whizzing into my head: “What about a famous artist? Like van Gogh? Can they ‘paint’ like him?”

So, I went off to my computer, fell down a few rabbit holes, and emerged realising that the full Adobe package of features we pay oodles of euros for every month has its own AI image generation tool.

I played around with the programme for a while and quickly realised it had huge potential. What if I used Dave’s original photographs of the Algarve, and especially the wonderful, unspoilt west coast beaches, and asked Adobe to turn them into paintings? I could then use my own artistic eye to tweak and tone them, creating something unique that championed this beautiful place we are proud to call home.

Turning to Turner

I began with J.M.W. Turner, carefully checking that not only his paintings but also his artistic style were in the public domain. Died more than 70 years ago? We’re good to go…

Creating a portfolio of Dave’s best photographs, taken over the last 15 years, and carefully cataloguing each location, took me rather a long while! But finally, I had a complete library of images I could select from. Pairing them with the right artist, learning their individual styles, and the sometimes-unpredictable nature of the AI programme, was a very exciting and rewarding adventure.

Gradually and thrillingly, finished digital images began appearing on the screen.

At first, I discarded many, but soon a wave of wonderful paintings emerged. All in the style of Turner. I was hooked!

van Gogh: Sunflowers by the Sea

After that, other artists’ names came tumbling into my mind, each one sparking new possibilities for how the Algarve might look through a different painter’s eyes.

What if Vincent van Gogh had packed up his paints and easel and headed for the Algarve coast, in search of fresh inspiration? van Gogh with his thick impasto paintings that catch the light. A style alive with colour, movement, and vibrant energy. 

Monet: Light on the Algarve Shore

Or imagine Claude Monet, hearing about this project and hurrying to the Algarve to find out what was causing all the commotion? He’d have immediately set up his easel on a beach, painting plein air, frantically capturing the weather, fleeting light, and atmosphere before him.

Bringing the Algarve Masterpieces to Life

Soon I had enough images to set up some online galleries. And then the fun really began. I wanted the viewer to really experience the paintings; to feel as though they were strolling through a real gallery: wandering from frame to frame, leaning in to catch the brushwork, stepping back to absorb the scene before them, then pausing to read the label beside each painting.

And that’s where ArtPlacer came in. An excellent package that offers not only virtual galleries and tours, but the ability to select a painting and, using the integrated AR (Augmented Reality) programme and a smartphone, to see the digital image projected onto your own wall space in the comfort of your home or office.

Virtual galleries emerged, each one showcasing the best images for each artist. A curated collection for viewers to admire and linger over.

Klimt: Golden Grandeur on the Algarve Coast

And then along came Gustav Klimt. I was hesitant at first. Was his lavish, ornate style too much for the Algarve? I needn’t have worried. The first painting appeared on the screen, and I gasped. Such richness, fine detail, and luminous imagery. Perfect.

The Algarve Masterpieces

The title for the project, The Algarve Masterpieces, took longer to formulate than many of the paintings. But finally, it sounded right. Appropriate. And future proof, for however many more artists I can lure down to the Algarve. To invite them to discover the sandy beaches, historic towns, hidden coves, luminous light, and fabulous sunsets that make this place so special.

So, come with me. Explore the galleries. Meet the artists. Allow yourself to imagine what we can only dream about. Some of the finest painters in history - all sadly no longer with us - painting the unique charm and beauty of the Algarve. But their style, their passion, their expertise, their brushwork, lives on in these new digital artworks.

And they are all available as fine art, gallery-quality, professionally printed and framed canvas or aluminium prints. Just for you.

Find out more here:

www.alysonsheldrake.com/digital-art/