Greetings,
Stop me before I paint another bush! Lately, I’ve been wandering through landscapes, sketching out simple trees and bushes. Most of these little experiments won’t see the light of day (at least not yet), but I do have a few I’d like to share. Along with the pictures, I’ve added a few thoughts on what I’ve learned so far.
Landscape 1
This was a very simple attempt, borrowed from one of those “learn to paint landscapes” books. The trees are clumsy, and a few other flaws jump out at me—but still, I find myself liking it. The broken, washy brushstrokes give it a loose, splashy feeling. I think there’s something worth chasing here, so I’ll be trying more small scenes on larger paper, hoping to catch that same playful energy again.
Landscape 2
This time, I decided to use every inch of the paper—I paid for it, after all, and I’ve got plenty of paint. The hills took shape, and I think I managed to hint at that delicate meeting of sky and ground. I worked carefully, blending the colours just so. And yet, in the end, I completely forgot the sheep! They were meant to be added with my watercolour pencils, but somehow they wandered off the page. No sheep for me—just hills waiting quietly.
Journal 1
I recently picked up a small black artist’s journal, its pages just 5.5 inches square. I even began with a little dedication page—to myself. Inside, I’ve started filling it with quick sketches of small architectural buildings. They amuse me, and I love bringing them to life with my watercolor pencils. Many of my references come from photos I stumble across on Facebook or Reddit—little treasures that spark my imagination.
Journal 2
These are just simple little pictures, nothing too serious. I don’t spend more than half an hour on each one—but together, they’re slowly becoming a small collection, my own little masterpiece journal. Even if I don’t set aside a full morning or afternoon to paint, a half hour here and there keeps me happy, brush in hand, page by page.
Journal 3
This is a two-page drawing I added to my journal (yes, I let myself spill across more than one page now and then). It only took about 20 minutes to sketch, and sometime this week I’ll add the paint. I don’t rush to colour everything at once—the watercolor does affect the paper—so I like to stay a few drawings ahead, letting each page wait its turn.
It’s been a fun week, and I’ve discovered how much I enjoy these little sketchbooks. If you’ve ever thought of trying one yourself, choose one with good-quality paper—and don’t forget to add a dedication page just for you. After all, everyone deserves their own little black book!
Be First to Comment