I have been doing a little bit of sketching to try to quickly capture some scenes of the touristy life and the normal life around Paris. I've done some while sitting on a park bench or out our window, while others have been done from photos I've taken of a particular scene. I've also done a couple that are just made up in my head. I guess they all count as "sketches".
A few people have noted (Kim, Haydi and Pauline) that adding a bit of color to the pencil sketch adds a lot. In fact, when I went to my first workshop, everyone had water colors but me. They all had some sort of travelling set. One young girl dropped hers in the Tea Room at the Mosque and the little chunks of color spilled all over the floor. I bent down to help pick them up but her father was already crawling under the table. So, as to not stand out any more than I already do, I bought a cheap travel water color set at BHV (Bazzare Hotel de Ville). You can see the size of it next to my coffee cup. I've yet to try painting while holding it on my lap. That should be an experience.
Anyway to make a long entry extremely short, here are my first attempts at sketching and adding water color. I think the idea with sketching is to quickly capture a scene, not worrying about a detailed result. And the water color is just to add some life to the scene, not paint a complete water color work. I think I've succeeded at NOT getting detailed results and NOT getting a complete water color painting. ;>)
Here are a couple of scenes from Montmartre with Sacre Coeur in the background. I like practicing these perspective drawings. Even though there are lots of angles, the verticals still have to be straight up and down. I may be off a bit there. Oh well.
Here is a quick version of Notre Dame as seen from a little park across the Seine. The short bridge across to the church can't be seen from the park.
If I get enough of these (and they are good enough) I am going to create a little book for myself with 25-30 little memories of the time here in Paris.
Awesome, Tony!
ReplyDeleteKeep going and sharing with us back home :)
Thanks. I had fun doing it and I hope to keep it up. I'll probably try it outdoors over the weekend. Should be interesting.
DeleteNice to see you w/c sketches, Tony! If you keep up your art skills while in Paris, you will have to start wearing a beret. Makes me envious to hear about your travels. Maybe you and Judy will have to lead a workshop there some year. But do I have enough winter weather clothes? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
DeleteThis year I would need a beret with earflaps. It is unusually cold this spring. The thought of organizing something has crossed my mind. Who know...
Tony
Nice watercolor sketches, Tony. I wouldn't worry about your verticals!
DeleteSay hi to Judy. What's she up to?
Sarah
Hi Sarah, thanks. I'm enjoying doing them.
DeleteI'll have Judy do a post about what she is up to. I call her "Cosette" if that gives you any clue.
Tony
I really like your little sketches w/color added. Can't wait to see more. Maybe you'll make more than one little book of them?
ReplyDeleteThat shop reminded me of the one on the upper end of Newbury St., the Johnson Paint Company, which carries every kind of art supply, paints and finishes imaginable. Has a much larger staff however.
Hi Judy.
Linda
Yup, I know Johnson's. I think a bunch of Senneliers could fit in Johnsons. As for the book, the beauty of "self-publishing" is that you can do as few or as many as you want. Just pay for them.
DeleteHi Tony,
ReplyDeleteThe NVA discussed your watercolor prowess at afterparty last night. All quite positive. Keep painting and posting!
Hi Kim, I hope Frank will still talk to me. I'm going out with a group on Sat, so I hope to have a few more for critique.
Delete