Isolation Blues

"Let the games begin"
Ink on paper, just for fun!

On a roll

 

I've recently realized that pencil rolls can be useful to protect colored pencils when traveling. So, using a store bought version as my model, I managed to sew three to house my Faber-Castell Polychromos collection.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and creative 2022, with -- dare we hope -- an end to this Covid madness!

Still in my colored pencil phase at the end of 2020, so I created a series of "confinement chicken" postcards. These two contrasting breeds make great models but are much easier to sketch from photographs.

"Chicken in a Van Gogh landscape"

"Merry Chickens!"

The reference photo for the pine trees
was by Dananthi Arnott in the FBGroup
Landscape Reference Photos for Artists

These are all either Koh-i-noor or Polychromos on "Hahnemühle Nostalgie Sketch Postcards". The paper is 190g/m2 and 10.5x14.8cm. Hahnemühle is the only brand I have found that makes smooth postcard paper for sketching in pencil. I'm grateful but wouldn't mind seeing a slightly heavier version because I drop these in the mail without an envelope. Yet so far, everyone says they received their postcards in good condition.

Lake Afton in Yardley PA

"Yardley"
29.5x42cm, Faber Castell Polychromos on smooth drawing paper

I started this one before the pandemic, finally brought it out again, and finished it today. It's based on a photograph that I took a few years ago in Yardley PA. I remember it was late in the afternoon when the fall colors were at their best. What a treat to use my large set of Polychromos again after nearly two years -- over a hundred colors to choose from!

Polycolors, Polychromos, Luminance, Procolour, Prismacolor Verithins

"Sprouting"
Polycolors on 30.5x22.9cm
Dawler Rowney Lyndhurst Double Sided High White Smooth Cartridge Paper

Now and then I get back into colored pencil drawing and have to put aside the oil paints. I think it was the recent USK event that got me started this time (my USK sketch). Koh-I-Noor's Polycolors are my go-to sketching pencils. Not only do they produce strong colors but they are less expensive, lighter to carry around and don't slip out of my hands.

I also have a nearly-complete set of Faber Castell's Polychromos. In fact, both these colored pencils suit my drawing technique. My only gripe with the Polychromos is that they are round-barrelled which means I tend to drop them if I'm not careful. That's why I prefer keeping them on a table in the studio. This morning I read a good review of the Polychromos: http://www.theartgearguide.com/home/faber-castell-polychromos

Then, last week, I  ran across Caran d'Ache's Luminance exhibit at a local art shop. They were advertised as extremely lightfast so I tried them out on the nearby pad of black paper -- wow, that convinced me! They are even pricier than FCs but I had to get a few. Reviewers agree that they "pop out": Luminance Review  

"Moving the plants indoors"
Polycolors, Luminance, Prismacolor Verithins and Procolour on 30.5x22.9cm Dawler Rowney Lyndhurst Double Sided High White Smooth Cartridge Paper

I used to be reluctant to mix different pencil brands but in the above drawing I found that the delicate lines of Verithins, strong colors of Luminance, and a blue indigo Procolour pencil, work well with my Polycolors.

There are so many colored pencils on the market that it's difficult to wade through all the reviews and decide what to buy. We can only experiment and find our own preferences.

Ekeren countryside

I’m trying to take advantage of the nice days in September to get more plein air practice. 

 "Sint Mariaburg"
13x18cm, oil on canvas

Today from the bike path I could see the church in Sint Mariaburg. It was a beautiful sunny morning so I found a spot in the shade on the other side of the road. Unfortunately, passing trucks were a nuisance. One even parked next to me for ten minutes with the motor running.

 "Oude Landen"
15x15cm, oil on canvas panel

At the beginning of September in the Oude Landen I only had cyclists, joggers and dog walkers passing by. Almost as good as painting in the garden. I was a bit nervous about the free-ranging Galloway cattle but they didn't turn up.

Antwerp oil sketches

"The MAS"
15x15cm, oil on canvas panel
(Private collection, Antwerp)

The 28/8/21 group event at the MAS in Antwerp was a good place to test my small pochade box in a USK setting. I found a bench in the shade. It was a little windy and people kept stopping to look at the water but I managed to get something done. When I realized they were looking at a bunch of flower bouquets (a spot where someone may have recently died), I quickly finished up. That probably helped me decide to suggest all those boats without going into too much detail. 

 

" Lambermontmartre"
15x15cm, oil on canvas panel

At the August Lambermontmartre art market it kept drizzling. In fact perfect weather conditions for plein air painting are quite rare here.

 

 

 "The Port House"

15x15cm, oil on canvas panel

Finally, I had to try painting the iconic Port Authority building. There's a fairly comfortable spot by the water. I had a hat for the sun, a stool and was holding the box on my lap. It might be better to find a hands free system such as a photo stand attached to my box.

Late Bloomers

 "Late Bloomers"

Oil on 20x20cm canvas panel

Continuing my series of 20x20 garden flowers...  

The primroses came up at the end of August this year. I'd almost lost hope but sure enough the garden was once again conquered by these yellow blooms every evening for a time. 

Ekeren

"Castle Reflection"

15x15cm, oil on canvas panel

"Veltwijck Castle"

13x18cm, oil on canvas

Whenever the sun comes out, I can try one of my pochade boxes. I've collected them at neighborhood flea markets in Brussels ("brocantes") but never had a chance to test them until this year. This one is works well with 13x18cm or 15x15cm canvases. I didn't need to bring much paint since I was working small so everything was quite compact. I managed to carry home the wet canvas by sticking it to the bottom of a cardboard box with some tacky putty -- the type that is normally used for putting posters on the wall.

The castle in Ekeren ("Waterkasteel Hof van Veltwijck") is located in a quiet park with benches, making it practical to paint there. More info.

Place à l'Art 2021

 

"Avant le Concert" (during Place à l'Art 2014)
15x15cm, oil on canvas
(private collection, Brussels)

 "Place à l'Art" is back! 

Artists from Uccle will be exhibiting their work on 11 July (9h30 to 13h00) at the Parvis Saint-Pierre, as well as on 8, 15 and 22 August (from 15h00 to 18h00) in Wolvendael Park.

I plan to participate on the three dates in August.

See you there!

*If rain is forecasted, then the event takes place indoors at the nearby Cultural Center on Rue Rouge (no 47).

More info here: http://www.uccle.be/administration/culture/activiteitenkalender-1