I started this A4-size moleskine at the start of the year and I'm still getting used to working on this scale. I quite enjoy it but I've developed this strange habit of doing a sketch on the right-hand side, then doing a sketch on the left. So it's a little out-of-kilter chronologically.
I did the sketch on the right first in my usual street sketching style. But the one on the left was a lot freer because I wanted to go faster and fit more of the scene in.
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| The first sketch (on the right page of the book) |
Both sketches are unfinished and I don't intend to finish them. It was more about the experience of being out there in that Friday night atmosphere - a relaxed, balmy summer evening tinged with the buzz that comes with the beginning of the weekend.
Then on Sunday we took the kids to the city - there were some fun things going on at the NGV which we discovered by happy accident. First we had a coffee in Fed Square and although I didn't intend to do any sketching I spied this tiny skyline view perfectly framed by the buildings in the foreground and I just had to draw it. I didn't have either of my 'proper' sketchbooks - just my scrappy 'secret' sketchbook (the one I never, ever show people because I want to feel free to draw badly in it) and I had to go fast because the amount of time I had was exactly equal to the time it would take the kids to drink their smoothies.
Once I'd done my lines I felt the drawing looked flat. So I wanted to add colour to create depth. Then I realised I hadn't brought my watercolours (thinking I wouldn't sketch that day). So I used the non-waterproof Pilot pen in the foreground and then the waterbrush over it to create a wash.
Super quick sketch but fun to do. And the moral of the story: always bring your whole sketching kit. You just never know when you'll get the chance.
Love your China Bar Sketch. Sounds like a great night (and place!) to be out sketching. You've captured the fed square building well too - instantly recognisable!
ReplyDeleteSo very inspiring Jodi!
ReplyDeleteWonderful sketches, Jodi. I sometimes think of going larger with my sketching but I find it hard to carry/hold A4 sketchbooks.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is I always do the right page sketch before doing the left page as I'm left-handed. But I work my sketchbooks back to front so the time order is retained.
Cheers --- Larry
Nice solution! I've managed to create a fairly compact kit that fits an A5 pad, some pens, pencils + eraser + sharpener. Even one brush. All inside a flat tin can. I'm pretty proud of it!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog, and I would like to nominate you for the Liebster Blog Award.
Come see the questions and rules, or feel free to accept the honorary version (just questions, without passing the award along, etc)
http://weirdamiga.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-wallflower.html