For the last few weeks I've been feeling like a bit of a change and just by chance a fantastic opportunity came up to go on a walk with a watercolour artist to Lake Geneva. He was giving a talk to 'share his inspired manner of observing and seeing the nuance and truth of the subjects he paints' and it would finish at the lake where he would do a demonstration. Well, it sounded wonderful and it was! His enthusiam was so infectious I got my paints out as soon as I got home and did this little sketch of him sitting at the lakeside. I was wondering whether to post it when Alex looked at it and said 'wow, did you do that?' so here it is. What happens when I put paint to paper is not the effect I'm going for (I'm not even sure what that is) but after his talk about there being no rules, and how the art is not about copying what you see but putting yourself, your personality, into the work, I don't really care if it's considered bad or not. It was just what I needed to hear. His tiny sketchbooks made a big impression on me too as I love working small but popular opinion is artists should work big. Well, I'm not listening to that anymore! I realised that I was making things difficult for myself by using sketchbooks that I was uncomfortable with (particularly drawing in public) and it's perfectly alright to do tiny sketches too. I really like the paper in the watercolour Moleskines so I'm using the small ones to practice in.It was a cold but glorious afternoon walking through Parc La Grange to the south side of the lake at Quai Gustave Ador, and I enjoyed it so much I'm doing it again next week!
By the way, if anyone is interested in travel sketches, I came across some wonderful links on Stefano Faravelli's website. There are links to videos here, sketchbooks to flick through on screen and even a list of things in his travel palette. I found more videos as I looked for the links so there is plenty to browse and his work is so inspiring it hardly matters that it's all in Italian!
9 comments:
Well done Felicity
Personally I think the only rule about sketching is to find the way that works for you! Size does make a huge difference as does the nature of the paper. It's really good to experiment with different sizes, different papers and different media until you find what works best for you. I know I like to have a couple of different size sketchbooks with me.
I'm ever so pleased to hear you highlighting "how the art is not about copying what you see but putting yourself, your personality, into the work". You'll experience huge strides now of the two steps forward one step back variety - but all the time moving forward. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you start producing!
Thanks Katherine! I always worry if I get comments like that - I don't know what the expectations are and I do tend to have a certain style which is quite tight. But I feel that as watercolours are so different to pencils that another approach is necessary and I loved the ease with which the artist was working. Yes, that statement made a big impact. He said no-one is going to look at your work and say that should be there, or that should have more branches etc.! As I tend to be a 'slave to the reference' I think I can at least play with colours even if I do like accuracy in my lines - it's a start! It's an interesting thought that the artist's personality is what is important.
Like you, he had a number of different sized sketchbooks but it was because he had one that was *so* tiny and yet it had function and beauty, I felt really inspired by that.
Actually, I could just use graphite or just use colour pencils as they work for me, but now I feel that if I do that I will stagnate - and that is quite a lot of progress from someone who used to seek perfection! ;)
Thanks again for the encouragement!
Felicity, this is indeed beautiful expecially since I rarely see you use watercolor.
I was happy to see what Katherine wrote also. I think we all know this but it so inspiring to hear others reinforce what we subconsciously know.
Lastly, when I am out sketching I almost always use my small WC Moleskine and sometimes the large one. Keeps me non-obtrusive. However, that being said, I really need to start working larger. We are funny arn't we.
Thanks Teri - yes we are! ;) I agree, there wasn't really anything I didn't know already but when hearing him say that (as opposed to say, reading it in a book) it has a completely different effect. It was very inspiring!
Wonderful attitude. Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to more "no rules" drawings.
Thanks Lindsay!
Very glad to hear the No Rules comment. When I taught little people art, that is what I would drum into their little heads. If they got nothing other than that into their little heads, then I had succeeded.
Find what you love about the view and let that show on paper.
Can't wait to see more.
This is wonderful.
Nice work Felicity! And a wonderful post. I always feel that I make a big move forward when I can leave behind a 'rule' that I've imposed on myself - often unconsciously. The interesting part about watercolor for me is that you can't completely control it - you have to be flexible and go with the effect you get. I know that there are some people out there who manage tight control, but I find their work less interesting than those who work freely.
Anyway - this is great - please do more.
Sounds like a terrific experience Felicity and I'm sure the artist recognised a peer in your.
I always love to see you working in watercolour because it suits you so well. I'm reading a great book at the moment that is gradually waking me up to the fact that I should forget about the end result of any picture and find it inside my head more, rather than through my eyes.
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