The sketchbook I used for my London Journal was not originally intended for that purpose. It was supposed to be my new on-the-move sketchbook to replace the small square sketchbook, because that was getting more and more impractical (mostly because it was hard to keep the book open).
However now my London trip is over, the journal pages are done and I'm still left with a bunch of empty pages in the book, so I have decided to fill the rest up with watercolour sketches and play. I suppose the London Book now has a double purpose, but who cares? As long as I keep filling those pages and keep practicing my skills! ;-)
Here are some pages that I have done after I came back from London.
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| Office garden. The sketch is only half done. A coworker came to talk to me and I never finished it. |
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| This sketch taught me that it's nigh impossible to mix a bright pink yourself with a limited palet. |
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| The North Sea on a gray and cloudy day. |
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| Very fast sketch of the pond near my house. |
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| Boat on the Wadden Sea. |
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| Boat on the North Sea. |
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| Some trees on a dune. |
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| My wonderful assistant. |
These sketches were all done either from life or from my own photographs. I'm not always comfortable sketching en plein air. Not so much because people can see me, but because I like to have some room to put my things down and not have my sketchbook be blown open by the wind over and over again. So when I say I'm not comfortable I mean that very literally. ;-) I prefer taking snapshots and than picking one after I come home from a walk and sketch in the comfort of my own home.
The picture of Peer obviously was done from a photograph. There's no way my assistant would ever sit still for me to pose for a painting like that. The only time you can sketch him from life is when he sleeps! I'm pretty proud of that painting though. I really struggled with it and was just about ready to throw in the towel, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I think I really got his expression down quite well.
I'm really enjoying sketching again on a regular basis and also practicing my watercolour skills. I love watercolour, but I have my challenges with it, so the practice is good and needed. ;-)
Wishing you all a wonderful and artsy week!
