Saturday 27 July 2013

National Tree Day.

I went out with the Sydney Sketchers to Wolli creek and painted a couple more plein air studies. Another gorgeous Winter's day.
Angophora tree on National Tree Day (Moleskine Watercolour Sketchbook)

Leaf Litter (Stillman & Birn Alpha Sketchbook)

Saturday 20 July 2013

Watercolour work in progress - Jacaranda Pods

I was recently asked how I go about doing my plein air studies so thought I'd post progress photos here.
The study is of a couple of Jacaranda Seed Pods, painted on Arches smooth watercolour paper.


The first pod completed

The second pod drawn in very lightly in pencil

The outlines painted in a very light wash and the pencil erased

First washes of colour

Next washes

Some shadow washes

The study 'Jacaranda Pods'... just needs some shadows...

Colours a bit washed out on scanner...
'Jacaranda Pods', winner of the Watercolour Prize at the Municipality of Lane Cove Art Award Exhibition 2013.




Saturday 13 July 2013

Plein air in the snow

A snow gum in Thredbo village. Handbook sketchbook.
I spent the week at the Snowy Mountains and only skied a couple of days, leaving time for some reading and sketching. My fingers got a bit cold but really the weather was stunning.


I took a few sketchbooks with me, including one I have had for a long time but not used so much made by Global art and bought in New York in 2007! It's the A5 landscape format that I love the paper is a little cream rather than white. It worked nicely though for the tree on the left.



I did a few sketches in my newish Stillman & Birn Alpha pocket sketchbook - at about A6 it is the smallest in their range. It takes pen, pencil and washes very well so is lovely as a take everywhere sketch/note book.

I also had my favourite A5 Moleskine Watercolour sketchbook with me, in the lovely landscape format that is so versatile for plein air sketching.

Friday Flats, Snowy Mountains. Stillman&Birn alpha pocket sketch book.

View from a cafe. Alpha&Birn pocket sketch book.

A gorgeous snowgum on the property where we stayed, painted in my favourite A5 landscape Moleskine watercolour sketchbook.
I'd like to see a Stillman & Birn Beta in that format. The Beta is great paper for watercolour - just a bit thicker and more textured than the alpha. I wonder if they make it?

Saturday 6 July 2013

Sketching in the Museum

The Sydney Sketchers spent a couple of hours sketching in the museum at Sydney University today. I tackled a couple of beetles - a Rhinoceros Beetle and a rather pretty one from South East Asia. Mostly done in waterproof ink with my fountain pen, with a little bit of colour wash. We were asked to use dry media so a good chance to use a neat water brush.

Chalcasoma caucasus South East Asia
Dynastes hercules South America