Sketchbook #1 // Roots

This is a sneak-peak at my sketchbook from February. I'm carry on with my intentions of choosing a subject a month. Last month I went for roots, being fascinated by the many bulbs and tubers sprouting around this time of the year. It is very much a botanical subject and probably not really in line with this sketchbook (and its thin paper), but I loved it and regret I didn't have much time to paint some more. My inspiration book was an old botany book that was used in the seventies by the pupils of the local grammar school. It's full of inspiring illustrations and descriptions.

I'm currently working on a slightly related painting and hoping to get that done before spring arrives!

On a Sunday afternoon

The good thing when my little falls asleep in the car, is that I have time to sketch, read and do all the relaxing stuff that would otherwise be neglected and replaced by cleaning, tidying up and so on. As long as I have what I need with me, which is fortunately 99% of the time, I enjoy these rare moments very much.

Yesterday afternoon, we were on our way to Heathrow airport to pick up a certain someone from his weekend away in Rome...

We left home early, she felt asleep, so I stopped in a residential road nearby the airport and did some sketching. Apart from the constant noise of plane engines (I do wonder if people who lives here are used to it!), it was a perfect sunny afternoon.

September

 

Watercolours on HP watercolour paper

  

Pen outlines on HP watercolour paper

September always brings a renewed energy with it. The days start to get shorter, the evenings are cooler and it feels like you have a second chance to start something new with a fresh and relaxed mind. September it’s the month for planning the rest of the year, thinking about Christmas, deciding which new tv shows to watch, having a wardrobe makeover and a house spring-clean. And it’s the month when you start to slow down again after the hustle and bustle of the summer months.

While baby sleeps

I love it when my baby girl falls asleep in the car and I can't do anything else but to sketch the surroundings. We went to a softplay place last Monday, called Piglets in Hersham. She had a play date, but the car journey made her fall asleep. So while waiting for her to wake up, I managed to do a quick sketch of the entrance. The watercolours were added later on at home, as she didn't give me much time to do it there.

Interconnecting flight

It's always good to bring a pocket size sketching kit......you never know how long your travel journey might take! After escaping the snow blizzard at Heathrow airport back in December, I landed in Rome with an almost clear sky (no signs of the snow that had paralysed the city the day before!) and 2 hours delay. Having to wait for another 4 hours for my connecting flight, I found a quite and sunny spot right behind the gate perfect for a quick sketch. I only had a tiny watercolour palette, just enough to highlight the main features.

Exhibition @ the Crypt

The exhibition at the Crypt is finally off after two weeks. It was hard work to get things done properly and on time, but it all went very well. I sold one painting and we received lots of positive comments from visitors. I'm hoping to be more prepared for the next one, so I can enjoy it more and stress less!