I missed the 'Sunday sketch' last week but I'd like to make this a habit so I made a determined effort this weekend, no computer until I had done some sketching. I'm so glad I did. I took my little sketching stool out into the garden and drew the variegated leaves of the hibiscus, the French lavender, a lily and something else I don't know the name of but it has super shaped seeds. I'm pleased with the how the leaves turned out - I've always wanted to do little watercolour sketches from nature - but the lily wasn't so great. No doubt it's my lack of skill but also I was painting on very smooth paper and I don't like how the paint handles on that. The morning was so bright and still and I found that birds and insects don't see see you if you don't move so they fly around very close. There is an atmosphere in the early mornings that is quite unlike the rest of the day, if only I wasn't so lazy, I'd be out there more often.
The still life and the lemons are copied from a watercolour book that shows how to paint step by step. It's quite useful but I don't really like to copy other paintings. They came out OK but not so OK that I want to scan them and let anyone scrutinize them! I've also been trying to paint my bag. I showed it to the teacher last week and she was impressed but I find it frustrating when I know in my head what I want to achieve but the water, paint, paper and brush won't co-operate and oblige! I can't yet look at a subject and know which techniques I will need or how many washes in what sort of concentration of pigment. It's still all trial and error.
The sketching in public is coming along though. Yesterday, I collected Alex from the school after a school trip but the coach was half an hour late. I spent the time sketching one of the smaller buildings as it had lovely old shutters and a wisteria growing up the walls. Loads of people passed me but only one seemed to notice! I've been so worried about it but I find it amusing to think that if I was an attention seeker, I'd be very disappointed. Most people don't really notice what's going on around them..
I drew these a while ago when the builders were here extending our patio but forgot to post them. They finished only a week over time and were very pleasant and efficient. One, or sometimes two, of them would turn up at 7.38am every morning, stop at 12 exactly for an hour and leave a few minutes after 5pm. Sounds like Swiss efficiency but they were Albanian. It was just that they were arriving and going by bus and the buses run like clockwork here! I've no idea what they used to talk about but the two that were usually here seemed to be very good friends, always laughing and having animated conversations. The top drawing is of them deep in conversation, having finished at 5pm but with a few minutes to wait before they needed to go for the 5.08 bus! (The stop is right outside the house.) Somehow, I doubt this behaviour is not usual in the building trade! I'm glad to get my garden back, but it was no hassle at all having them here.
17 comments:
FElicity!! WOWZA GIRL!!! GO GO !! The front of the house and people -- so beautifully done! But cara, those veggies -- scrumptious and delicious looking -- superbly rendered!!!! KEEP GOING!
Felicity, you have been a busy little bee! Those watercolours are fantastic! Don't know why you feel they aren't that good.
Drawing in public is still not easy for me, so seeing your house drawing fascinates me! It is really good.
Thanks for sharing.
Seems like you are getting along incredibly well with the watercolours! And drawing in public too! Way to go! :)
Oooh the lemons and the veg look just amazing. I'd love to see them close up - any plans to scan them? The colours look just great.
I love your watercolors, Felicity - your progress is amazing. The house is lovely as well - and the workers - do you think they'd like to come to France for a working holiday? Our painters took down the scaffolding at Easter, saying it was for a two-week vacation and we haven't seen a sign of them since. I think the shutters on one side of our house will have to be re-painted before they ever get to the shutters on the other sides....
All of your drawings are terrific, and I admire your courage in going public. Those vegetables are just exquisite.
Seems no matter what you put your pen to, it turns out fabulous! And now watercolor!! Wonderful wonderful Felicity.
well they look great from a distance:>
I've enjoyed reading your blog & looking at the wonderful sketching. Keep it up.
I found your site by accident. I did the thing of googling my own name. LOL
I found yours too ... almost the same & also the name of a prominant university lecturer I had here in Brisbane some years ago.
She is: Dr Felicity Grace PhD (UQ), B.A. Hon I (UQ), B.A. (UQ), Diploma of Holistic Counselling (Sophia), Certificate IV Woodworking (fine furniture), Certificate IV Assessment and Workplace training.
hugs from bribane australia from one felicity to another.
I'm spending this morning catching up with blogs having been a bit busy this week, and I just wanted to say that I really like your watercolours. They're very delicate and beautifully coloured, which is just what a watercolour should be! I particularly like the veg.
I don't know why you wouldn't scan them, they look marvelous! The colors are so grand. Your sketches are wonderful, too. The two men talking are really great. There is no stiffness at all, they look very natural and lot of life in them. Wonderful work!
I'm enjoying your site. Just happened upon it. Your watercolors are great.
Beautiful work! I love all your sketches but your WC are really lovely. You are taking to wc like a fish to water.
Wow! That's a very nice collection of sketches! Your watercolors are lovely. Also enjoyed all of your commentary.
Felicity, these are all really wonderful! You've taken your fantastic style and used it to its best advantage with the watercolor -- you are such a talent! I'd so love to see that still life exercise painting in person, too ... from here it looks like you handled your pigment like a pro! The sketches are marvellous of course!
You have made such progress so quickly with your watercolors. These are great. When I started learning (as if I'm not still learning!) watercolor I copied from a book, following the step by step instructions, techniques and exact colors and it was really helpful. It takes discipline to do exercises of that sort so it's something to be proud of, I think.
For early watercolours, fellicity, yours are amazing - out of a book or not! I'm not surprised though, when you said you were starting watercolours, I knew it was a medium that would suit your exquisite style.
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