My friends Loli and Harold run art holidays in their beautiful villa. I love it. I always have a nice big bedroom with a large shower tucked amongst the many plants and trees in the lush garden. The swimming is near my room and I enjoy the sound of the fountains at the head of the pool gently splashing on the water.
The food is not for anyone on a diet. Loli and her new chef Carlo are fantastic cooks and it seems to be a Spanish thing to feed your guests until they just cannot eat anymore. Delicious regional dishes are the order of the day.
I have enjoyed the different tutors , each with his or her own style. Although I am a very experienced artist, I am always open to learning something new. I have left with tips and colour mixes which I add to my repertoire.
This time was no exception and as the tutor was concentrating more on beginners, I toodled off a few times and did my own thing. I did however, experience for the first time using Brusho. I found the way it dissolved interesting and colourful but it is not my favourite medium - rather too messy and difficult to control. Perhaps it lends itself more to crafts and would be great for such things as mixed media journaling.
Here are a few of the sketches from my sketchbook. These were done en plein air in various locations. Hope you like them.
TIP Sit quietly for about ten minutes and really take in the scene around you. Decide what you especially like about it. Is it the light or the colour or the textures? Choose a focal point. Make everything around that point of secondary importance. Although I have a camera, a sketch is something that really makes one remember the place, the atmosphere, the smells and colours. For all those artists who might read my blog, try to do more sketching. It is such a joy. It doesn't matter if you make a mistake. Your sketchbook is your own private space if that is what you want it to be. You do not have to show it to anyone.
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