Can't believe this is only Day 3. So much done already! After a little tour of the area (where I sketched in my A6 sketchbook while walking), we settled at the Banganga Tank and sketched the view across the way. Then we had lunch at one of the temples. And then had time for another sketch at the laundry area (dhobi ghat - much smaller than the big dhobi ghat, but still an amazing experience). All sketches in Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbooks.
Day 1 of the workshop. Cross Maidan - a peaceful space to introduce us gently to the city! Followed by a bit of shopping!
In January, we went to Mumbai. I participated in a workshop with Suhita Shirodkar and Zainab Tambawalla. And Brendan did lots of street photography. Head over to his Instagram @beebeepix1 to see his photos.
We arrived in Mumbai on the Sunday afternoon, and went for a little exploration. I swear I was having a panic attack that evening, lying in bed and thinking about how hard it was for me to cross the street between the Gateway to India and our hotel. On the Monday, we went for a guided "Essential Mumbai" tour with the fantastic Faredoon from Khaki tours, and I felt a bit more confident about managing to survive in this buzzing city. And had vada pav for lunch!
On Day 0, the Tuesday, there was no workshop, but Suhita and Zainab invited anyone who wanted to to go sketch with them at Matunga market, which specialises in goods from South India. I took an Uber over with a few fellow workshop participants. We sketched on the footpath first, where I had my first taste of chai, then we moved inside the market. I instantly loved it, the interaction with the people, the buzz, the visual and aural vibrancy of the city. And I had a great time sketching.
That evening, we had a tour with Juzer, Zainab's husband, who also is part of the Khaki Tours heritage group, then we had our welcome dinner.
I would like my skies to feel a little warmer. I got a good tip from Hari a while back. Naples Yellow!
I have three different brands and they're completely different pigments. Love the effects in this book - Stillman&Birn Alpha - great paper for watercolour magic! We'll have to see how it works out with different paper!
WN
Holbein and W&N
But the most important thing is to keep things light, and not to overwork!! Although I could use this as a background for racing horses or something, if I was into that kind of thing.
As my mother is sleeping more and more, I stayed with her from 10 in the morning until about 3 in the afternoon. There was no point in staying until 5. Which gave me a bit of time to enjoy the lovely weather in Brussels, mostly from my hotel window. I did also walk down to the Grand Sablon near the city centre and stood between a tree and a bin to draw these gorgeous Belgian houses, including one built in 1567!
I was in Belgium around the 20th of July, and I did a good few sketches in the airports. Shown here in reverse order. The Magritte hat is the clue that I was in Brussels airport. These were all done in a tiny (A6?) Stillman&Birn sketchbook (Epsilon series), which I'm getting to like. The difference is that I brought my Sailor Fude pen with me this time, rather than drawing tools I wasn't so familiar with. And I also had a few pencils with me, so I could do clouds. Plus my tiny Arttoolkit palette.
