I am busy doing portraits, a subject I haven’t done for quite some time. And I am having fun! They are all done in pen an watercolour.
Inktober 7,8,9.
I am really enjoying doing these inksketches. If only now I can start thinking outside the box..
Inktober7: Nibpen and wash in Stillman and birn sketchbook.
“Enchantée, dlighted to make your acquintance”.
Inktober 8: Frail. Collage, ink and nibpen in Stillman and birn sketchbook.
Two chicks
Inktober 9: Swing. Brushpen in Stillman and birn sketchbook.
Tee-off.
Spain sketches 1: Xiringuito, Canyelles platja.
I had the greatest holiday on the costa Brava in Spain , broken leg and all. My family decided a wheelchair is the way to get around effortlessly and although I complained loud and clear, I have to admit they were right. I could of course only sit at the “xiringuito” (beach bar) and sketch the world around me, while friend and family were out on the beach, in the water, snorkeling, sailing. But that is OK, I will get my turn next year.
the sketches are all done in situ and there will be blotches all over, because I turned pages while the paint wasn’t completely dry. a lot of mistakes too, which stayed on the pages, since I did everything directly in pen and just sketched over the mistakes. As you can see, my sketchbooks aren’t perfectly beautiful…too many blops and bloops!
xiringuito, Canyelles platja
elderly lady on the couch at the xiringuitto, typing away on her tablet.
a couple on the couch, taking a break from the sand and sun 
a young lady, very prettily coiffed and made-up, with matching purse, waiting for her drink 
à la prochaine
Ronelle
September 8: Selfportrait.
I had no idea what to draw or paint today. If I weren’t so committed to my September project, I would’ve been on the couch, watching a movie. It is raining, it is cold and it is Sunday. On the best of Sundays, I feel blue and foul mooded. Today was no exception. The drawing says it all.
..selfprotrait..
graphite on drawing paper (49,7x42cm)
à demain
Ronelle
Singapore sketches.
We were in Singapore for a few days recently and apart from devouring sushi, morning noon and night, I managed to pack in a few sketches. I found the climate very tiring for walking and sketching…heavy, hot and humid! But for the rest, I enjoyed every bit of the trip(except the flight there and back of course, but that is only becasue I hate flying by default).
Singapore is rich in culture and history, two things that I thoroughly enjoy. Discovering cultures different than mine and learning about their history truly enriches me. I feel fortunate to have been able to learn a bit more of Singapore…next on my list is Japan towards the end of the year, depending on the circumstances. We were in Singapore when Japan was hit recently and I sadly witnessed many people cry for family they’ve lost or haven’t heard of back in Japan.
Read more about the history of singapore here.
You can see some photos of the trip here at Sushi..and Singapore.
Or here inTravels at Myfrenchkitchen.
Or on Facebook.
…Masjid sultan…
Pen and watercolor in watercolor sketchbook, 15.5×35 cm
…on the esplanade…
pencil and watercolor in watercolor sketchbook, 15.5×35 cm.
.. Lin bo Seng memorial and old supreme court…
pencil and watercolor in watercolor sketchbook, 15.5x35cm
…Indian cricket club…
pen and watercolor in watercolor sketchbook, 15,5×35 cm.
…scene in chinatown…
Pen and watercolor in watercolor sketchbook, 15.5x35cm.
…people sketches…
Pen and watercolor in watecolors sketchbook, 19x20cm
…buddha tooth relic temple in chinatown…
pencil and watercolor in watercolor sketcjbook, 15.5x35cm.
…Science museum…
pen and watercolor in watecolor skechbook, 19x20cm
Inspirations in color
I am in search of Inspiration. I find it in people. That does it for me. Creative people, people with strong character, the survivors, the gentle, caring ones, the courageous, daring ones…I have them all in my small circle of friends.
Voici two of them. Two wonderful inspirations. Very far away, so I had to rely on photo’s. I don’t mind that much.
I chose to do the following sketch, because I love the way this friend interacts. She is a beautiful woman, an extraordinary talented florist; you can give her a dry stick and she’ll turn it into a magical creation. And she can’t talk without her hands. I love that. When I dropped by her floral shop, she was busy with a romantic bouquet for Valentine’s day and we stood for about 30 minutes chatting, while she held this wonderful creation in the one hand and expressed herself with the other. She wears this delightful “apron” when she works, to protect her clothes. Being around her, is feeling the creative juices flow…it is inspiring.
This was supposed to be only watercolor on HP Arches paper. Then I had to “fix” it by adding pen! It seems I have to fix everything lately.
This friend is a lovely romantic, in heart and soul and in appearance. She carries a bit of yesteryear with her. With her angelic hair and fair skin and soft features, she posed many problems to paint. This is my fourth go at her and it still not what I’m after and this time pen wont’ fix it. I want nothing less than a soft, flowy watercolor painting. I’ll probably try again and again…Maybe its because I know that she isn’t ALL romantic – she can swim faster than anyone I know, she can climb a rock as fast as the young guys, she can paddle a kayak through some scary rapids and she’s not afraid of any marathon! She exudes a wonderful zest for life, nothing is too hard or too boring for her, she does everything that comes her way…it’s contagious. This is watercolor on Fabriano CP (extra white)
27 comments:
- Stacy said…
- Ronell, your friends sound lovely and look lovely too! I love how their personalities influenced you as much as their appearance did.
- Lin said…
- STUNNINGLY GLORIOUS!!!
- Bonny said…
- You have a wonderful talent, Ronell. Not only do you connect in a special way with people, but you portray them beautifully, too. Love the painting of your florist friend. She almost looks fey like a fairy princess. Gorgeous!
- Teri C said…
- Beautiful paintings Ronell!! I love your commentary with all your art-they were made for each other.
- Dave said…
- Well, you certainly fixed it well! Wonderful portraits, and what wonderful friends it sounds like you have.
- Anita said…
- Oh Ronell I LOVE everything about this entry.
- Claudia said…
- Ronell, w o n d e r f u l watercolours, especially the first one! It has something magic!
- Lindsay said…
- What a sweet and beautiful post. A nice tribute to your friends too.
- martín said…
- Beautiful portraits Ronell. The first one really talks. Your friend does it with her hands and you through your paintings.
- SCquiltaddict said…
- fun wc…great stuff…gotta get my paint brushes back out! keep it up
- Jana Bouc said…
- What a fabulous portrait–both in words and paint. I love the second one–it’s so loose and fresh and has a sweetness about it.
- Tonniece said…
- Love this post Ronell
I’ts so great to have friends, good friends, and being able to capture their essence as you have here is a wonderful gift to them and all of us as well. - Carole said…
- I really love how you have composed and painted these to capture their character as well as their features. They are beautiful paintings and charming descriptions of your friends.
- suzanne said…
- Wow Ronell….these are both breathtaking. Not only in the sense that they are technically outstanding, but also in the fact that you have captured the personalities of your inspirations so well. Not knowing them, I think I could have pretty much described their personalities in exactly the way you did, only by looking at your paintings.Your inspirations are inspirations to me.
- Arty Velarde said…
- This is nice. I like the watery, “juiciness”!
- janey said…
- These are very soft and pretty and I like the descriptions that go with them. It makes the paintings come alive even more.
- juj said…
- Oh Ronell – These are lovely! I especially like the second one, so soft and loose – I love the expression on her face. And the deep red of the necklace is such a nice accent to the whole and balances her glasses perfectly. Your friends both sound wonderful. You must feel very fortunate to have them in your life.
- Nancy Van Blaricom said…
- I simply love the stories that go along with your watercolors. The watercolors could stand alone with not comments, but you bring such life to them all….
- Robyn said…
- Both friends are lovely – I love the mood as well in the first watercolour and the second is beautiful in the lightness of your touch.
- ksklein said…
- I love the top pic. Very romantic. It reminds me of weddings, brides, valentines,…
I would have loved to nsee a little more of her face though. - Emma Pod said…
- These are both wonderful paintings of your friends. In the top one I can almost hear her talking…the hand gesture is so nice! Nice work!
- Regula Scheifele said…
- Both your paintings and your descriptions are loving and beautiful – what a gift you have and how nice for your friends to have you paint them!
- Sandy said…
- Ronell, these are beautiful and I loved reading how they inspire you..sandy
- platitudinal said…
- Beautiful paintings of those you hold dear in your heart. 🙂
- Serena said…
- Beautiful work, Ronell, and a very nice tribute to your friends. 🙂
- phthaloblu said…
- These are both beautiful paintings, but I know how you feel when you’re trying for a certain result and you can’t get it. But, these are very beautiful. I think lots of us look to the people we know when we need inspiration. That’s how we re-energize. When we are feeling down, we gravitate toward someone who is immensely positive so we can feed off of that positiveness. Does that make sense? Anyway, it sounds like you have some wonderful friends to look to for your inspiration. Full of life and creativity.
- austin of sundrip said…
- I’ve scrolled through your page here but I keep coming back to the girl with flowers, it catches my eye and won’t let it go. Awesome work, awesome.Austin of Sundrip
Africantapestry 