Friday 25 January 2013

Getting into the habit - Train and Lunchtime Sketches

One of my resolutions for this year was to get into the habit of (daily) sketching. As so often, it's not so much the motivation that is the problem, but time. But I discovered that I actually had a good 1 to 2 hours each day to make time for sketching - on my daily train commute and, occasionally, during my lunch time.


Yesterday, I found myself all by myself at lunch, so I used my break to quickly eat my sandwich and then spend the rest of the time happily sketching away. As subjects, I just choose whatever was within reach on my desk - scissors, pen, pencils eraser. I started with a pencil, then added pen lines in different widths until I was happy with it.


I couldn't wait to get home after work, to add some colour to it. I had used my new Derwent Sketchbook, which has beautiful, thick, white paper, and which, unlike the Moleskine sketchbooks, should take watercolours well. I just wanted to finally try it out.


I added only little colour, but I think it worked quite well. The paper is not quite like good watercolour paper, and the paint dried quiet quickly, I thought and where I used more water, I seeped a little bit through the paper. But all in all, I'm very pleased with it. It works very well for adding a touch of colour to your sketchbook drawings. It's also a good size to take with you anywhere. And it has the round edges and a rubber band to hold it closed. I love sketchbooks with round edges!



Drawing in the train is a bit more challenging, especially the evening one is extremly wobbly. So I'm just doing sketches of pattern, or fantasy flowers. It's quite addictive, and the time passes so quickly. I'll add some colour to these during the weekend.


Linking this up to the fabulous Paint Party Friday. Go and have a look at all the fabulous work there, it's always so inspiring.

21 comments:

  1. Excellent Kay! That is actually one of my goals too for this year. I don't do drawing every day, but I do something to improve it every day, which could include studying other artists like you, or a lesson from drawspace.com, or indeed, sketching. Love the look of your sketches. And good to know about the sketchbook. I'm not keen on moleskine's for sketching either.

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  2. Wow these sketches/watercolors are terrific. You may have inspired me!! Practice makes perfect and you are there!!

    Happy ppf!

    Hugs Giggles

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  3. Wonderful illustrations and sketches ~ excellent realism work ~ Carol

    (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

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  4. I sketched on the train to London the other day - It was SO wobbly!
    I enjoyed your sketch - I should do more of this :0)

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  5. Well done with your sketches. They are fantastic. Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing

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  6. Your sketching is wonderful! I think you used the perfect amount of color! Happy PPF!

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  7. I love that your art materials are your source of inspiration in these!!
    I love the colors, too!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  8. Great sketches, beautifully painted too :)

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  9. Wow, these sketches are wonderful! I don't know how to "sketch." I have to learn this type of work. I just throw globs of paint on paper/canvas and whatever comes out, comes out. :) Great job!

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  10. Love your sketches-and the one of your desk supplies is so beautifully colored and shaded! Happy PPF!

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  11. Terrific sketches and beautifully coloured. Enjoy the weekend, happy PPF, Annette x

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  12. I absolutely love this sketch of your desk utensils! It is fantastic, almost whimsical. You are right, I bus two hours a day and I should start using that time for drawing, myself. I work two jobs and I find it hard to get art in, but there is always time for something you love.

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  13. I love the details in your sketches and I find the pages in those Derwent books great for adding some colour... I use really strong pigments so can add a lot of colour with only a little paint... but more than anything love the white white paper... and I haven't had any bleed... thinking I should go back and check again to see ... love this style for you... such great skills
    T xx

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  14. love reading about people's resolutions :D theres something intensely satisfying about sketching (and seeing!) drawings of the simple, everyday things that surround us - like desk items or food. Excellently and beautifully done!

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  15. Fabulous use of time. Reminds me of the Everyday Matters blog where Danny Gregory says draw whats around you. Well done. HPPF

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  16. Love love love your sketching style, really wonderful and little coloring just makes it awesome!

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  17. You have a beautiful style with wonderful lines that very much please my eye! Yes, the colors are nice too! HPPF!

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  18. What a great job. It's very inspirational to see.
    And I love your palette.
    Rinda

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  19. Your sketches are fabulous - It's such a good idea to fill waiting (to get home) time with creativity. Happy PPF

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