Category: art

#sketch: Jardin des plantes, Paris

Santa (Daniel DardaNoël) brought me a book on urban sketching, with a note that he wished I’d do more drawing on location. I love the idea.

I’ve always been in awe of those who master live sketching, quick sketching, those who keep a travel notepad or sketchbook to fill with notes and drawings or paintings. My friend Ann Bassetti travels with watercolour and a light equipment just to do that. She took me to a Dr Sketchy Anti Art School event in San Francisco last March. It was fun and inspiring, although I performed very poorly. But it wasn’t the point. The point is that I’ve wanted to do this for years, and I have a few notepads and sketchbooks already, and I’m glad I went with Ann last March, and that Daniel just gave me this book. This is all connected 🙂

So, I read all the book and although it says ‘go outside and sketch,’ I stayed inside and sketched. From a picture I took in Paris last October at Jardin des plantes, next to the gigantic greenhouse.

Made on paper (12×17 cm), in my Paperblanks notebook, with Pentel ink brush and watercolour.

scanned sketchbook: Jardin des plantes, watercolour and ink, made 26 December 2014

#sketch: Baby Adrien asleep

Santa brought me a sketchbook and compressed charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard) that I wanted to try today. I settled for the photo Vlad took of Adrien moments after he was born, still wrinkled and puffy, but fast asleep. It’s my second or so drawing made with this medium and took me a couple hours.

Made on paper (A5) with charcoal and white pastel..

charcoal drawing of baby Adrien, made 25 December 2014

#sketch: Pomponette

Pomponette is a sweet female cat that lives in the neighbourhood. I don’t know if she has a home or just owns the neighbours instead. Pomponette is how we call her; the neighbor calls her Mimine.

She showed up in our garden, I remember, Adrien had been born only a few weeks or so. She’s friendly albeit a little wary. And she shows up most days. She likes very much to be petted but will not settle on anyone’s knees or be held. There is a lot in her face, size and built that reminds me of Emu, my own cat, who’s been gone more than a year now, so Pomponette does linger now. This is nice.

Yesterday we found her curled in an empty flower pot, sleeping in the morning sun. As she heard my approaching foot steps, she raised a cocked head, before yawning and stretching.

Made on paper (12×12 cm) with Pentel Brush Pen, charcoal and white, brown and terra cotta pastels..

Drawing of the cat Pomponette, ink and pastel