meldrum artHere are a few sketches I did in the last few days with my new Hero calligraphy pen. The first two sketches are from a book called, “Anatomy for the Artist“. The other sketch with watercolour was from the wonderful street photographer, Vivian Maier‘s website.
No preparation penciling was used for these drawings, I’m trying to push myself to be free with ink and watercolour, trying to lose the fear of making mistakes.
No pencil was used for this watercolour sketch, time was short so I drew it with ink and at speed in a standing position. The lines are shaky and scratchy which I quite like, I find that the faster I sketch the better the result, I learned this with my life drawing, a two minute sketch being more free and alive than a 15 minute sketch. No time to think and using ones instinct isn’t a bad thing sometimes.
 |
| Solvalla Stables, Stockholm. |
I forgot about these watercolour sketches I did while on holidays in Brittany last month. There is something about boats that I am drawn too, I grew up by the sea and have sailed since the age of ten so it is not so strange I guess.
 |
| Trawler watercolour sketch |
 |
| Green Trawler watercolour sketch |
I arrived home from a one week holiday last night. I was in Paimpol, a beautiful old fishing harbour on the north-west coast of France. I managed to find time to do some watercolours. The painting below of the old trawler took me about 2 hours to complete, I am very happy with my progress in learning how to paint. I only wish I could spend more time with my new hobby, these last few months have been so busy both at work and privately. Still, the summer is here and in a few weeks I presume I will have more time for watercolours as the pressure at work diminishes during the holiday season.
 |
| Old trawler |
I found this wonderful web page full of Charles Reid’s portraits and nudes. Click here.
 |
| Watercolour life drawing by Charles Reid |
 |
| Watercolour by Charles Reid |
 |
| A Tree by David Meldrum |
 |
| Watercolour by Stanislaw Zoladz |
Stanislaw Zoladz was born in Poland and today lives in Nacka, Sweden. His water reflections are so photo-realistic! It’s not what I personally aspire to as a student of watercolour, I think impressionism is my thing but it doesn’t stop me admiring the incredible detail and skill of his work. His website is well worth a visit. Click here to visit.
This lunch time sketch was completed yesterday, it took two lunch breaks to finish (30 mins x 2). My learning curve is still pointing in a steep upward direction, so I am happy enough with this. I am studying from great watercolour artists on DVD but it is one thing to listen and another to execute. I have also noticed that it’s hard to be expressive on an A5 piece of paper, not much room for a daring stroke from my loaded brush but then again, maybe this is a good thing!
 |
| Watercolour sketch by David Meldrum |
I have a DVD, “Rural France in Watercolour” by Joseph Zbukvic which I am enjoying immensely. I visited his homepage last night and found so many inspirational watercolours. Make sure you check out the gallery page and visit the first gallery, Joseph’s work is there plus other great artists. I haven’t trawled the other galleries yet but I will over the next coming week. I love surfing, discovery at every mouse click!
 |
| Joseph Zbukvic homage to Monet |