More Sketchbook Revival

 A lesson I really liked in the Sketchbook Revival Challenge was the one by Debbie Mackinnon. She illustrated how to sketch outside and take the tree shapes as a base for a composition. I like the loose style. So first I prepared the pages with some watercolour base, then sketched the trees into a composition and then concentrated on lights and darks. Here you see the beginning and the end result.

It reminds me of a Spanish landscape with hills in the distance.

I also made some notes and a quick sketch as a reminder to practice this more often:

Some results

 This week is also Sketchbook Revival week, and I'd like to share some results:

I did not have much spare time, but when I did start one of the assignments I really enjoyed it. Being taken into a creative prompt really focuses your eyes on the paper in front of you. And looking back on the pages, they are inspiring prompts. Now onto the next ones!

The start

 The start of a new painting. An image in a documentary of an older woman chatting from her window interested me. Especially in Mediterranean countries this is a common way to spend your time :).

So here I am using charcoal to make a composition sketch, to get dimensions right. I am going to use acrylic paint, and I am working on thick paper suited for this. Maybe later on I will make a version on canvas. First, I want to study this. And I like paper, because it takes less room to store. I use common dimensions so it will fit a standard frame, this is 50*70 cm.

I am curious where this will end... you never know until you try.

Fruit trees

 Ah, the Plum fruit tree is showing its first flowers, a beautiful sight. We are having some sunny days and slowly bees and butterflies are taking a look in the garden. 

So I am spending quite a few hours outdoors, and am preparing for the Sketchbook revival, collecting materials and paper. Maybe next week some results?

Sketchbook revival

I have signed up for the Sketchbook Revival Challenge, and am very curious about it. I have joined several drawing challenges but never this one. And there are some teachers joining who have already inspired me before.

Since I am always in for creative experiments, I am looking forward to it, and hopefully I can show some results later. It starts April 11th. You can still join too!

 More information see press here.

Painting outside

 On several occasions I have painted outside but not often. I have been anticipating to do this, but also thought I should try it... So after reading some tips on painting outside I took the time and went for a walk with a rucksack filled with some basic kit.

I found a bench and a quiet spot and made two paintings: the first was a bit strict and precise, and the second one was more loose. This is the second one:

And this is my view for the drawing, I like the lines in a landscape, and the different stages of foreground, center and background. Also winter times show the contours of the trees in a beautiful way.

But after an hour I got cold, so I tried to dry my painting on the fence, and then hiked back to my bike.

Will I go again? Yes! If only because there is still so much to learn :).

Keep going

 Each face is different, and when I see a tilted head or a certain look that speaks to me, I like to try to capture it. Just as this ballpoint sketch on a small piece of paper:

I've been working on all sorts of different things, some Youtube studies on landscapes, working on a larger landscape on canvas, and making little portrait drawings. Creativity has to found you working is a quote I once read... so better take that pencil or brush and see where you end up...