The birthplace of the Renaissance has been the inspiration behind Richard Tuff's 21st solo show at Beside the Wave gallery. A painting exploration of Tuscany has resulted in a fantastic collection of new work from one of the gallery's most established and long-standing artists.

The huge success of the Provencal collection at the gallery in 2008 prompted this return to explore Europe a little further. Richard visited and painted in Tuscany as a student, but had not been back since so it was with great anticipation and excitement that he embarked upon the project.

He has focused strongly on the architecture of the towns and cities, in particular the places where people might come together to meet. His style of working has moved subtly towards more tightly painted compositions, beautifully balanced with a palette specifically taylored to the warm Italian light.

"Cafe Chairs" is an intimate view of a picturesque cafe courtyard in the hillside town of Todi. Canopied by lush foliage, the bright cobalt blue of the shutters plays against the warm terracotta coloured walls. Although devoid of the human figure, two chairs pulled together in the foreground of the composition suggest a recent meeting of people. Deceptively simple, it is a fine example of Richard's masterful eye for colour.

In a charming compostion, "Corner of the Square, Amelia", he has captured a glimpse of Umbria's oldest town. A medieval courtyard, suffused with warmth and light, is framed by the bough of a tree overhanging the sun baked bricks. Frothy, peridot green leaves curl around a delicate wrought iron balcony. Peeling wooden shutters and doors partially conceal and hint at the cool dark spaces within.

The capital city of Florence and its stunning architecture is depicted as a patchwork of warm russets, ochres, greens and golds. The panoramic view, "Florence from the Boboli Gardens", takes in the Santa Maria del Fiore. The famous red brick dome and Giotto's campanile shape the iconic skyline against the distant viridian countryside. The glowing honey-coloured stone of the city is punctuated with cool shadows of jade and blue. The occasional cleverly placed accent of the deepest burnt sienna draws the viewer's eye around the composition.

He has also been drawn to capture the region's picture postcard countryside with its rows of vineyards and olive groves clinging to the fertile hillsides, thin Cypress trees standing like brushstokes against the landscape dotted with ancient farmhouses.

This is a wonderful and cohesive collection that utterly evokes the experience of being in this diverse and uniquely beautiful place. There will also be Cornish paintings to complement the Italian pieces that will delight Richard's avid legion of collectors and newcomers alike.

There will be approximately forty paintings as well as rarely exhibited sketches and drawings in this collection which promises to be of great significance to all admirers and collectors of this highly regarded and inimitable artist.

To receive a catalogue of paintings or more information about the exhibition please contact Beside the Wave gallery@beside-the-wave.co.uk or (01326) 211132. Catalogue paintings will be available to view on the gallery website www.beside-the-wave.co.uk a week prior to the exhibition, with the full collection of work available to view on the gallery website from 11th June.