Month / September 2025

by Leonie Andrews

Exploration continues

I’m keeping on with the exploration of tonal sketches started with my class with Olivia Marcus at the Urban Sketchers Symposium in Poznan.  The more I explore, the more my own style preferences are entering the equation.

Sketching in the tiny book I carry on my walks.

One thing I have largely changed is not using black as an emphasis. Because I work predominantly in watercolour, I find the contrast between that and the black felt pen Olivia uses, can overwhelm my sketches. I’m exploring whether I can effectively substitute darker tones.

Sketching at Fyshwick Markets

I’m also testing out all different colour combinations.  Some are instantly more appealing, but I don’t want to come to conclusions too soon. As I have a whole lot of new paints from our goody bags from Poznan, there’s still a lot to consider.

At Tutto in Mawson. I also added some pencil to this one to pick out more highlights.
by Leonie Andrews

Sketching with friends

While visiting London recently, I  went sketching  with friends at Marble Hill Park, on the Thames, near Richmond.

One of my friends brought along some prepared papers, painted with home-made pigment, extracted from  Rose Willow Herb.

Sketching on the lawn at Marble Hill House

As often happens, I misjudged the proportions of my sketch and cut the top off the roof. Which is why I added a second piece of paper to get it all in!

The missing bit of roof!
The finished sketch.

I really enjoyed working on the pre-painted paper. It was a very good mid tone, as well as a fortuitous choice of colour and was easy to work over.

Suffice to say, a good time was had by all!

Our collection of sketches from the day.