Category / watercolour

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.
by Leonie Andrews

Urban Sketching at the Portrait Gallery

It’s been several months since I went out with the Urban Sketchers Canberra group. The weather, being as cold as it is, didn’t seem to promise a large turnout, but I was wrong about that.

36 people in the group photo.

I decided to do a composite sketch, showing various aspects of the Gallery,  starting with part of the building exterior.

The entrance to the Gallery

I then moved inside, collected a stool, and found a spot where I could see a cluster of other sketchers. I also decided to incorporate some quick sketches of two of the portraits into the background of my double page spread.

Sketching the sketchers
With some colour added

Because I couldn’t use my watercolours in the gallery, I moved to the ‘family’ room where messy art could happen.

The final double page spread.

I planned to add some elements from the cafe in the bottom right corner, but I ran out of time. Maybe I can do that another time.

by Leonie Andrews

A visit

Ancestral voices unheard. Pervasive shouts of ‘make a silly face’ selfy talk.

Sit on the grass itself. Notice rabbit poo – no rabbits in sight.

Five breaths. Inhale and release.

Offer – nutty bar and paint water.

Unspeaking ravens watch.

Tune in your eyes, a light pass then shadows. Dry faced lichen stones.

The formalities done with. Mix the paint again.

Hands strike across the page. In that place we dance.

[Observations made when painting at Stonehenge, 21 August 2023]

by Leonie Andrews

End of another year

I will just share some photos as I haven’t reached any conclusions about the year. I’ve made work, communed with like-minded friends both online and in person around the world. Thank you all for being open and sharing your year with me as well.

Part of a major piece going on show in 2023.
Some silliness with friends in Indonesia.
A female (left) and juvenile male (right) Eastern Koels, summer visitors to our part of Australia.
Sketching in my own backyard, late December.
Sketching in other people’s back yards, Hila, Ambon, Indonesia in October. The Dutch built Immanuel Church, 1659 and locals fishing on the pier.