I do not sketch as much as I would like to. And when I do sketch, I do not often share them with others. Maybe that's why I don't sketch more. Maybe I need the encouragement of others to keep at it. Or maybe I don't do it more because I don't think my sketches are very 'good,' which I know is an awful thing to even think (let alone say) as sketches aren't meant to 'be good;' they are meant to capture a moment. Even 'bad' sketches can do that very well.
So, encouraged by Debbie Herd's blog post, I am sharing my Paris sketchbook with you. My sketches from Paris were done in a lovely hand-made accordion book that an artist friend made for me. She used the best 300 lb. watercolor paper in it, so it was a delight to paint in! I did sketches of places my son and I went, and some of the things that we saw on one side of the paper (top photo). On the other side, I sketched some of the things we ate and drank. The photos are a bit deceptive, because when you open it as a book, and not as an unfolded accordion, the front with the cup on it is the front of the food and drink sketch side, and the old Eiffel Tower postcard front is the front to the 'places and things' side of the book.
We did not really get much opportunity to shop in Paris, so this sketchbook is my main 'souvenir' of the trip. Travel is my most frequent reason to sketch. But I also would like to sketch more at home. Perhaps I should make myself another lovely accordion book. Because it was small, with basically just 6 'pages' on each side, it was not at all intimidating or overwhelming to fill. In fact, I found myself wishing for just a few more pages to do!
7 comments:
That is the nicest souvenir ever - I love it. You are encouraging me to start sketching and I would be well pleased if I could do as well you, so please, keep sharing, and keep sketching. I am looking forward to seeing your waves done.
Thanks, Michelle. I look forward to seeing the waves done, too.
My grandkids are coming for the next few weeks, so I'm also hoping to do some sketching with them. They really make me creative!!
This is wonderful! I love the sketchbook--what a great recording of your time in Paris. Thank you so much for sharing it.
I love the sketchbook too. It must have made you slow down and really look, unlike a camera where you stop looking properly and rush around getting the best shots. I will have to try to develop the confidence to not only sketch but to do it in public!
Mary, I have to be honest. I did not do these sketches on location. As I was with my son and we had a lot to see and do, I took certain photos specifically to sketch from. I have an iPad, and when I import my photos from my camera into the iPad, I can set it up so that it feels pretty much like sketching 'onsite.' I do prefer to sketch - and to capture the place and time that way - on site, but when I am with others, it is not always possible to do that. Still, creating the sketch makes a place more personal to me. And capturing a photo to sketch from later in the day also is a way to make me look for things I will want to sketch.
So, there is more than one way to skin a cat (as my Grandma used to say.) If you can't, or aren't comfortable, doing a sketch on site, still plan to make a sketch when you get to a place when you can stop and remember the feeling the place gave you.
By the way.... there are places you can't sketch on site, at least not like I sketch, with a little pan of watercolors and a permanent marker. Museums do not allow it, and many monuments and sites where there are alot of people going through (such as Versailles) frown on it, as well. So sketching it back at your room is often later is often the only way to go.
Está precioso!
Post a Comment