Sometimes a gesture says more than a thousand words…
Sketches done in dip pen and ink(colour island coffee), with a wash, in moleskine.
Something that needs fixing
The ironing is always behind.
I have to iron. I have to see sharp folds and straight flat edges on shirts and linen and skirts and yes, T-shirts. Except of course jeans. No straight folds there. That makes them look nerdy. I learnt that from my daughters.
Sketches done with rotring artist pen and water wash in moleskine.
Like with a desperate diet, I start off every Monday with the determination to iron immediately when something comes off the line. Just to see my diligence fade into submission by Wednesday. The result is a growing mountain of washing and a leaking cup of courage. So I let the mountain run its course… after all, it is already there….and wait for the magical day when my cupeth runneth over again.
I’ll probably always have this habit that needs fixing.
Dressing the garden
Today was a delicious day! Just perfect for moving pots around and getting the fountain running, planting some, digging some and simply just being in the present.
A few sketches done after digging and dressing the garden.
All sketches done in sketchbook 19x25cm, rotring artist pen, red pilot pen and wash.
Let the cat out of the bag
I stalked Tokala and Aiyani today with my new Rotring art pen, water and petit gris brush, and moleskine. I do enjoy the ease with which the pen bleeds, which caused me to be a little overzealous with the washes.
Unknown faces on the train
Some faces on the train to Paris. All done in pen in moleskine and given a wash later at home.
- Anita said…
- They are all wonderful Ronell but I especially like the 2nd with the woman facing away, adds a sense of mystery and gets the imagination pumping!
- Lin said…
- BEAUTIFUL!! The softness of the wash is outstanding!
- Meinhild Selbach said…
- Great work! I really like your style.
Greetings from the Lyons area 😉
Meinhild (inselfan54) - Nancy Van Blaricom said…
- These are beautiful. Was it ink or watercolor you used for a wash? Your portrait sketches are so well done.
- Nina Johansson said…
- Great with those grey washes, I love these drawings!
- mARTa said…
- love these too! I did my daughter on the train into Los Angeles on friday….she was right in front of me so I could see her!!! I love how these don’t have color…the washes are beautiful.
- Jenny said…
- Enjoyed your train sketches. Ink and wash is perfect for these.
- Arty Velarde said…
- These are nice, I like the washes for the gray scale.
It looks cool! - juj said…
- These are fabulous Ronnell – Your linework is so free and easy, and the washes are the perfect touch. I love the sleeping man at the top and the one at the bottom. And there is something so compelling about the posture of the girl with the pony tail. Sly girl – capturing the people who wouldn’t notice what you were doing!
- Sandy said…
- Gosh how do you do this!!! I would love to learn watercolor wash like this…just beautiful and delicate. sandy
- Africantapestry said…
- Thank you to verybody for the kind comments…I really appreciate your encouragement.
Nancy – I just used some black watercolor.
Marta – will have alook at your daughter’s sketch today. I think someone right opposite me is a bit intimidating(a stranger)…I expect them to bite me any minute!
Judi – Yip, that is exacty how I caught Hartman…!
Sandy – I feel like I’m is actually cheating; really good sketching can stand on its own with only the lines, but I feel mine needs that extra bit of “oomph”..
Ronell - biteyourowntail said…
- Sneaky drawings of people – love them. And what better way to spend a train journey? Lovely work
- Dave said…
- These are lovely. So expressive and the wash adds a lot to the line work.
- Robyn said…
- Wonderful people! I too love the girl with the pony tail but they are a delightful lot. I think the sketches would stand up very well without it, but the wash is a lovely touch. Paris! Sigh! The last time I saw Paris….
- Tonniece said…
- A real wow factor here Ronell.
Great sketches - hfm said…
- Great work! Don’t know how you can draw on the train! I’ve tried but I can’t
- Ujwala said…
- the ink and wash portraits are beautiful ronnel! now i need me some trains to ride in 😀 actually i’d be too shy to pull out my sketchpad at such close proximity to the subject! 😀
- Claudia said…
- Oh, Ronell, you did so nice paintings and drawing while i was away on my hiking tours! I nearly can’t decide which I like the best! Your glass bells are so wonderful! But your garden sketches turned out so good as well!!! I like the colours you use!
And your train sketches are very nice, too! I want to see more!!! - Carole said…
- You are so talented, Ronell. You’ve captured a lot of character with these simple lines.You are brave, sketching people. I always feel too self conscious to attempt it, which is a shame as it would be a good way to spend the time on the train.
- Anonymous said…
- HELLO, i CANT TELL YOU HOW MUCH i LOVE YOUR WORK AND BOTH BLOGS. sINCE iM LEARNING ON MY OWN YOUR WORK HELPS ME ALONG IN LOOKING AT HOW YOUVE PAINTED THNGS.
tHANK-YOU SO AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.
lINDA - caseytoussaint said…
- I somehow missed this post – it’s wonderful, Ronell! These are so full of character, so individual – I really love them. This seems like a new departure for you (?)
Come on, just do it!
Five things from my bathroom. Carole said so. (http://www.carolekirk.com/ I could only get to four. I struggled almost the whole day, but I’ve done it and I feel good. Great they are not, but I’m happy. Wonderful feeling of achievement! It was so great having someone tell me: “This is what you need to do, do it” Not thinking or planning or finding something…I just did it. Next time it will be better. Thank you, Carole.
I dedicate this to all of you who were encouraging and supportive, may I do the same to you when you need it.
Pen and watercolor, Arches HP. Click on images to enlarge.
19 comments:
- Dave said…
- Good for you! There are some lovely touches in those sketches too. The shine on the pitcher, the shadow on the stand, etc. Enjoyed looking at them!
- Claudia said…
- …I like the spontaneity and freshness of the sketches!-(I’m still working on that for myself…)
- Sandy said…
- Fabulous, I just Love your technic, so light and fresh but with great depth and personality – GREAT!
- Carole said…
- Hey! Good work. I just love how you do those watercolour washes. You have such a light touch. The chair and bowl/pitcher is particularly nice. Looks like you’ve got a beautiful bathroom there!
- Teri C said…
- Gosh, each one is a winner! Just wonderful!
- Brenda Y said…
- Fantastic!! My fav is the chair with the pitcher and bowl and plant–what luscious lines and soft colors. By George, I do believe you’ve got your groove back!!
- Jana Bouc said…
- These all have such elegance and beauty. It looks like you’ve found your inspiration again!
- MrsSnowy said…
- What a spectacular comeback! My favourite is the chair with basin and pitcher. Goodness, if I tried to find inspiration in out bathroom it would spin me into instant depression – not the finest room in our house!
- platitudinal said…
- Wow, these are beautiful sketches. If not for the toilet paper rolls and towels sketch, I will keep on forgetting that these are paintings of your bathroom!
- artnewbie said…
- Lovely! What great style you have.
- Lin said…
- YEAH!! AND WHAT A GLORIOUS JOB YOU DID!!!!! Hope it broke your uninspired spell and that Madam Muse is sitting on your shoulder!
- bec said…
- I love the stuff in YOUR bathroom!
- Africantapestry said…
- Thank you for the comments…I am back to working, almost repeating everything twice in order to get something that is half decent, but that is OK.
Ronell - Ujwala said…
- i’m away on holiday and hadnt been to your blog in a while. lots of wonderful work since I last visited and these 3 from your bathroom are super too.
- E-J said…
- Lovely little sketches. What an elegant bathroom you have, Ronell! Your watercolour style is very distinctive. And you’re so prolific!
- caseytoussaint said…
- Ronell, these are beautiful! You’ve combined your wonderful drawing skills with your decorating talent and it’s a great combination.
- “Maggie” said…
- Wow, the chandelier is lovely and the reflections really make this a great piece. I love all the intricate inked lines.
- Africantapestry said…
- thanks!
Ronell - phthaloblu said…
- Once again, beautiful sketches! Love the light best of all.
Africantapestry 
