Author: meldrum

My name is David Meldrum. I am an Artist who loves watercolour.

Categories
watercolor Watercolour

A watercolour of the view at Sadelöga

View from Sadelöga
View from Sadelöga

We sailed for the whole month of July this year. It was windy almost everyday and it was important to find some good protection for the evening. Ironically the winds usually died down but it was not guaranteed. This watercolour is the view from Sadelöga, NE of Utö in the Stockholm Archipelago.

I originally painted a small sketch of this scene from the cockpit of the boat, now that it is the season to paint in the studio I decided to have a go at a large version. It’s 70 x 50 cm in format, I haven’t painted this big for a year at least. I really enjoyed the challenge and I am happy enough with the result.

I have a few tubes of paint that I basically don’t really like and have been trying to use up for years. Antwerp Blue, for example. I took the opportunity to use it for the sea and I used Neutral Tint over it to try and calm it down. Like I said before, I am satisfied with the final result but I will be happy to see the end of that tube of 37ml Antwerp Blue.

  • Reference 1
  • Reference 2
  • The original sketch
  • Aquarelle
  • View from Sadelöga
    View from Sadelöga
Categories
kurs / course / workshop watercolor Watercolour

I needed to improve quickly

Trosa
The final painting

A good friend of mine asked me a few weeks back to do a watercolour demonstration for his daughter and her friend. He decided that he would also like to join in. I haven’t had any courses since last year mainly because I felt it took up too much of my time as an artist. The Corona virus has changed my outlook somewhat as I haven’t been earning much since it struck in back in March.

I was very pleased they wanted to learn from me but I was going to have to do some work beforehand. What subject would I paint? I’d need to practice the painting several times so I didn’t look like an idiot. So I did, I painted it twice on quarter-sheet, the first had an electric blue sky which I didn’t like, the second attempt pleased me though and so I felt ready for the demonstation.

The day after it was demontration time, to my relief the watercolour turned out fine. My students had fun applying what they had learned to their own paintings. I was happy with my wee course. I wonder now if I sould start offering courses again, I am not sure, what do you think?

  • my first attempt
  • my second attempt
  • class
  • class
  • demo
  • demo
  • demo
  • class
  • reference
  • The final painting

Categories
figure drawing Life drawing watercolor Watercolour

I run a life drawing class but I never sketch.

Meldrum nude
Meldrum nude

It’s true, I rarely sketch nudes these days which is ironic as I run a life drawing class every Thursday even during the pandemic. My problem is that I don’t have time to go to other life drawing classes and right now I don’t actually want to physically be in a classroom anyway. This is why I stream my own life drawing classes. It means extra work for me as a host so sketching has had to take a back seat.
I’m not complaining too much. I get a lot enjoyment out of running my class and I can sketch nudes anytime using photo resources that I have bought throughout the years. Actually, I think I am just making excuses. There is nothing preventing me from sketching or painting watercolour nudes, it’s up to me, I decide.

Please click the thumbnail below if you would like to see the full-sized image.

Meldrum nude
Meldrum nude
Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

It’s important to exercise each day.

Svindersviken
Svindersviken

I walk everyday, it’s very important for me to get outside and get a breath of fresh air. It’s so essential to leave the studio and let my eyes rest by viewing my surroundings, my neighbourhood. Yesterday, I was inspired by the sky, the earlier rain had ceased and left wonderful clouds to hang around for a while. I sat down on a damp bench and sketched. My aim was to capture the clouds, to study them and learn from what I saw. It’s an impression and I am quite happy with how my sketch turned out.

Svindersviken
Categories
Nude Sketch Sketches watercolor Watercolour Watercolours

I am trying to paint at least one nude a day.

Nudes
Two nudes

Yes, I am trying to paint a nude a day. My plan is to wake up, have breakfast and then paint a nude. I never have to think about what I will do, I just have to start painting a nude. Simple. I wonder how long I will be able to keep it going?

Click the thumbnail to see the full-sized image.

Nudes
Two nudes
Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Watercolour sketch in the Kings Garden

kungsträgården
kungsträgården

This watercolour has got a great response on social media, I am very happy about that. Personally I think it is one of my better sketches. The scene was very complicated to begin with and so decoding it and getting it down on paper was a real challenge. A challenge that I really enjoyed. The weather was warm and sunny too, a wonderful day, I have a clear memory of it because of this sketch. I can’t rest on past success though, today I will paint another watercolour and try and improve my skills, every brush stroke should be beautiful.

Kungsträgården sketch 18 x 13 cm
Click the thumbnail below for the full-sized image.

kungsträgården
kungsträgården
Categories
Video watercolour video youtube

Painting willows and a fountain in central Stockholm – my latest video Ep24

In this video I paint a watercolour of the Kings Garden (Kungsträgården) in central Stockholm. I have lots fun trying to capture the complicated scene that was in front of me. It was a beautiful day and I ended up very happy with my sketch, that doesn’t happen everyday.

Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

This is what happens when I take a break

Djurgården
Djurgården
Danvikshem
Danvikshem

I am currently editing my latest “Painting Outdoors” video and it should be ready in the coming days I hope. I spend far too many hours in front of the computer screen so it’s really important to take breaks. And being a watercolour artist the natural thing for me to do is to paint a sketch while out getting some fresh air. These two watercolours are local views of Djurgården and Danvikshem, both are just a short walk from my where I live.

Categories
figure drawing figure painting Nude watercolor Watercolour

Painting a naked model takes time

watercolour nude
watercolour nude

I have started painting nudes again. It’s a real challenge, human skin-tones are so fine, so delicate. I am enjoying it though. It takes a lot longer for me to complete a nude, I’m not used to that. I don’t really have the patience for it so I spread the painting over several days, I work for an hour or two each day until it is finished. This is the best way for me to work right now, I hope I can improve my concentration with the next watercolours that I plan to paint in the coming weeks. Nude: 36 x 26 cm

Click the thumbnail below to see the full-sized image.

watercolour nude
watercolour nude