Venice Canal, Italy, Watercolour Painting

 

Oh, Venice! This is my first Venice canal painting. Venice is one of the most extraordinary and unique cities in the world, built entirely on a group of 118 small islands in a shallow lagoon off the northeastern coast of Italy. The islands are separated by expanses of open water and by canals, and portions of the city are linked by over 400 bridges. With no roads and no cars, Venice moves entirely by water — its streets are canals, its traffic is gondolas and boats, and its rhythm is dictated by the gentle rise and fall of the Adriatic tides. Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has inspired countless artists, writers and poets throughout the centuries.

The city is home to approximately 150 canals, ranging from the grand and sweeping to the narrow and intimate. The most famous is the Grand Canal, a wide waterway that winds in an S-shape through the heart of the city, lined with magnificent palaces and historic buildings. Beyond the Grand Canal, a labyrinth of smaller canals weaves through every neighbourhood, connecting the islands and forming the true circulatory system of the city.
These quieter back canals are where the real character of Venice lives — narrow waterways flanked by centuries-old terracotta and pink-washed buildings, with stone steps descending directly into the water, boats moored outside front doors, and the gentle lapping of water echoing through the alleyways. It is a city unlike any other on earth — timeless, beautiful and endlessly captivating.

Below are the painting process...

 

 

This painting is available as original and limited edition of 75 prints in my shop DeniseWongArts.

 

 

Nesso, Italian Lakeside Village, Watercolour Painting (Work-in-Progress)

 

Buongiorno! I’ve been working on this painting for the past 10 days. It depicts the charming village of Nesso in Italy, with its iconic ancient bridge, the Ponte della Civera. The piece is now about 90% complete.

Nesso is a quiet village on the western shore of Lake Como, tucked between the better-known towns of Como and Bellagio. Its small size and low profile mean it often escapes the typical tourist trail, leaving its charm intact and its streets peacefully unhurried.

The village is most famous for the Orrido di Nesso, a narrow gorge where two mountain streams, the Nosè and the Civera, rush down in a striking waterfall before joining the lake. From the Ponte della Civera, a centuries-old stone bridge that spans the gorge, you can watch the water cascade below, framed by ivy-covered buildings and lush greenery.

Nesso’s lakeside houses reflect the traditional Lombard style, with cream and white walls, colorful shutters, and stone foundations that seem to rise naturally from the rocky shoreline. Climbing plants and ivy soften the edges, blending architecture with the surrounding nature.

For anyone who enjoys wandering beyond the usual paths, Nesso offers quiet corners, dramatic natural scenery, and a timeless atmosphere—a small gem on Lake Como that feels almost untouched by time.

 

Tuscan Poplar Road, Italy, Watercolour Painting

"A winding road breathes through poplar trees in Tuscany."

Poplar trees (Populus) are a beloved feature of the Tuscan countryside, often planted in long, elegant rows alongside roads and pathways. Their tall, slender forms create a sense of rhythm and direction across the landscape, guiding the eye toward distant farmhouses or hilltop villages. In Tuscany, they are not merely trees — they are living architecture, framing the land with grace and purpose. Their leaves shimmer and rustle in the breeze, catching the golden afternoon light in a way that feels almost painterly. In autumn, they turn a warm amber and yellow, adding yet another layer of warmth to an already sun-drenched land.

 

This artwork is available as original and limited edition of 75 prints in my shop DeniseWongArt.

 

 

 

Lakeside Harmony II, Lake Como, Italy, Watercolour Painting

This is my second Lake Como watercolour painting. It is painted in 2025. Lake Como, in Northern Italy, lies at the foothills of the Italian Alps. Its deep blue-green waters are framed by gentle mountains, pastel-colored villas, and charming lakeside towns, making it one of Italy’s most picturesque and tranquil destinations.

This piece is available as an original and as limited edition of 75 prints. 

Villa Balbianello, Lake Como, Watercolour Painting

Buongiorno! This is another location in the beautiful Lake Como, in the northern Italy with Villa Balbianello rising from the water's edge. Perched on the small wooded peninsula of Dosso d'Avedo on the western shore of Lake Como, Villa del Balbianello is one of Italy's most breathtaking historic villas. Built in 1787 on the site of a 13th century Franciscan monastery, its terraced gardens, elegant loggia, and sweeping views of the lake and mountains have captivated visitors for centuries — and even a galaxy far, far away, as it served as a filming location for Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones where the secret wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala took place. 

This piece is available as an original and as limited edition of 75 prints (coming soon).