meldrum art
I travel to Brittany, France in June with my wife and two artist friends, I’m really looking forward to it. I painted this watercolour recently from a photo I took in 2014, the old trawler is missing it’s cabin these days, storms have taken their toll. I haven’t seen the old boat for a year, I wonder how much is left.
Painted on Arches rough 300g, 2017.04.14, 36 x 26.5 cm
View larger size by clicking the image below.
I’ve been busy so I’ve had no time to publish my life drawings for a while. Even worse, I don’t have time to paint – this is unbearable, I need to paint everyday to feel good inside. Unfortunately, I have to earn a living and as yet I cannot support myself with my art alone. I wonder if I can ever become a professional artist, if I can earn enough through art alone?
These life drawings were sketched at Konsnärshuset with pencil on A3 paper, the poses were 2, 5 and 10 minutes long.
A man from India contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I could state the paper size etc. If you read this sir, I will try my best – I seem to have lost your email so this is why I am replying here.
I decided to figure paint, exciting when you only have 5 minutes or even worse, 2 minutes. Painted on Fabriano non-cotton paper, it was cheap and better than that nasty Canson paper. Cotton paper is too expensive because one uses so much during a 2 hour session.
Sketches from Saturday’s life drawing. Great model with long legs and wonderful poses, I only wish I was in better form. Poses from 30 seconds – 4 minutes. A3 paper.
I took it really easy today, I’ve been so busy during the last month – I really needed to take my foot off the gas pedal. So, the first thing I did today was go to the central station and sketched the travelers as they waited for trains.
In the afternoon I walked around the town and looked for scenes to photo and paint at a later date. I walked for 4 hours! It was a sunny day and I was hunting the light, looking for scenes that were perfect for watercolours. I found quite a few so I’m happy. Tomorrow I’ll paint in the studio at home, my feet are feeling tired. I have life drawing tonight so I’ll sleep well.
Click image below for larger version.
I have been so busy at work and also preparing for an exhibition. Two big deadlines that are now finished with, I’m so happy to be able to relax again – post some drawings on my blog, go to life drawing and paint for fun. Freedom is heaven.
These pencil drawings are on A3 paper.
I decided to try something different last Saturday, I used my old Chinese calligraphy pen, brand name “Hero” and I used watercolour pigment as a wash. I was pleased with the result although I think I will use my 2B pencil instead of the pen next time. The poses were 30 seconds, 1, 2 and 5 minutes long. Painted on cheap watercolour paper, Calson 200g A4.
One of my favorite models, she is like a angelic fairy and quite creative in her posing. The more difficult ones I never publish, it’s very hard to capture a human knot, it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is. I wish I could remember her name, I’m so bad with names.
Another Saturday and another burst of 1, 2, 3 and 5 minute poses. The organiser added 30 second poses to the grinding session. He thought we were having to much time with the 1 minute ones! I can see his point though, all you can do is capture the pose, nothing else when time is so short.
