This colourful pastel shows figures by the side of the River Roya in Ventimiglia. Knighton-Hammond’s interest in working in pastels came about as the result of his friendship with the Manchester architect, Edgar Wood. Wood was living close by at Monte Calvario, Porto Maurizio in Italy and as an artist he worked extensively in pastel. Working in pastel allowed Knighton-Hammond to work rapidly and fix the scene before him. He was able to improvise textures and transitions of colour whilst maintaining the vibrancy of this work. He cleverly blends and softened the pastel blurring the edges with his fingertips. The figures and the Roya estuary give great movement to the composition. The spectator’s eye is immediately drawn to the impressive Alps in the background and experience the brilliant light of the Mediterranean.