meldrum art
I wasn’t feeling very well on Saturday but I was determined to get out of the apartment and meet my life drawing buddies. I just didn’t have the energy to perform well so I said to myself, “Relax and enjoy yourself”. So I did and I actually liked the result. It’s better to try a little than not to try at all.
I was life drawing yesterday using watercolours, I try my best to capture the pose in 5 minutes or whatever the decided time is. I of course run out of time which is okay as everyone does.
I have gotten into the habit of playing with these sketches the morning after, I start the day with a strong cup of coffee and I try to improve the quick watercolours I did the night before. It’s fun and just like kids I learn a lot by just playing around.
I am spending a week with my elderly Mum. I find where she lives very claustrophobic, a small dark cottage in a maze of small houses that look exactly like hers. I really look forward to the afternoons when I bring her dog for a walk.
I usually drive to Donaghadee further down the coast from Bangor, it’s a nice small village with a lovely harbour complete with lighthouse, I sketched the latter many times. The open horizon outside of the harbour relaxes me and I have an enjoyable walk with Misty, the dog.
Afterwards I sit in the passenger seat and paint a watercolour sketch of something that catches my eye. Today it was the old Life Boat that was up on land and needing some love. I hope she gets it, I thought it was a beautiful boat. She was on the hard as they say, in fact she was in the car-park which made it very easy for me to sketch from my car.
Click the thumbnail below for the full-sized image.
I was struggling with this one until I painted the dramatic red background. Now I think it’s pretty cool.
I am having fun with the images I caught just before it got too cold here in Sweden. Having a big zoom is certainly an advantage when photographing people in the street.
Title: Walk on the wild side 36 x 26 cm
Click the thumbnail below for the full-sized image.
I have been trying really hard not to paint sail boats for a while now, it’s hard – I just love to paint them. The reason I am avoiding them is so that I can develop as a watercolour artist by painting other things that I am not used to and find difficult. Portraits are difficult, the one that’s featured here doesn’t resemble the original model very well. I wasn’t trying too get a perfect likeness, my goal is to master painting skin and building the facial form, I think creating a likeness will improve as I practice.
The model reference by the way was downloaded from the iPhone only Sktchy app. Why it’s only iPhone users who can use this service I do not know.
Click the thumbnail below to see the full-sized image
One should avoid sunsets, most artists and photographers will tell you that.
So it was a challenge to find a theme that made a sunset acceptable in the eyes of critics. The subject I have chosen has divided Europe since 2015. I do not know how people will react to my watercolour, it speaks to me clearly enough but I also know that my neighbour might see something totally different.
Click below to see larger image.
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I am currently in Kallskärskärgård, a group of islands in the outer archipelago of Stockholm. It’s so beautiful and peaceful out here. I definitely feel a painting coming on.
I am back in Stockholm so a painting of the city hall seemed like a natural choice of subject.
Arches 26 x 36 cm.
It seemed to be a name that suited. Both my wife and I are in agreement, Aquarelle is the name of our boat that we bought last summer. It was launched into the cold Baltic yesterday but the day was so sunny and perfect. A good sign for great sailing in 2018!
Info: The boat is a Sveakryssare 36 from 1975. 11.04 x 2.44m. Link to Swedish site, http://www.sveakryssare.se
