...when you usually love sketching en plein air!
I just spent four nights away over my big birthday in South West Scotland. Knowing that a January birthday break would be cold and quite possibly wet (it was!), I had a feeling that I wouldn't have many opportunities to stop and sketch. Never-the-less I stalwartly took my sketching things in my bag every day...just in case! I only did one pen sketch outside and only did five sketches in total.
How do we keep sketching on winter breaks away then?
The first sketch I did in Threave Gardens' cafe (image above). I'd taken a few photos of the gardens and did manage to sit outside on my foldout mat on a damp seat to have some lunch. But I didn't want to linger to sketch. It was just too cold. So back in the warmth of the tea room, furnished with a shortbread biscuit and a pot of tea, I sketched one of the photos I took.
Of course you can always just sketch the cafe or bar that you're enjoying your refreshments in. This was the Flower Cafe in Newcastle where I had a drink before meeting friends for dinner. I didn't have my watercolours with me but I always have this A6 Hannemuhle sketchbook in my bag with a fine line pen, just in case the mood grabs me while I'm out and haven't planned to sketch. This is not very often but at least I have it on hand.
The top image here was kind of en plein air...sketched in the car looking out of the window in the fading light. I would've liked to have explored this location more but I happened upon it on my way back to the lodge. I also exaggerated the glow in the western sky as it was a pretty grey day!
I did attempt to sketch outside while on a walk at Kippford (bottom sketch). I only got as far as the pen sketch but took a photo so I could complete it later on. This isn't ideal as I only use my phone camera and it doesn't particularly pick up all the details that your eyes would when looking at the scene. So I did use some artistic licence, like using a more purply hue on the hills in the background. I like the way it turned out!
The place I was staying in was a lodge house for a former stately home which is now a hotel, so it was located close to a road. There was a lovely view out of the bedroom window however. Looking across to the smaller lodge (mine had a spiral staircase!!) and the fields was a pretty view so one morning when it was just too wet to venture out for a walk, I sketched this view.
I could also have sketched objects and furniture in the lodge but ironically I didn't have time to do this!
As it was a special birthday, I booked afternoon tea at the hotel up the drive. Another opportunity to sketch, especially as the room I was in was so grand. I've also sketched the surroundings of my meals out on holidays before so it's becoming a bit of a ritual. Also an alternative way to document special occasions. It also gives me something to do when eating out solo.
I didn't sketch the view as it was. I started with the tea tray and added elements which I thought would give the overall impression of the experience. The tricky thing was trying to replicate the wallpaper without it being overwhelming! I think I succeeded.
In conclusion then, take photos and make yourself sketch later - I have so many photos which I haven't sketched yet! Or sketch cafe and restaurant views...if you sit near a window you could paint the view, or park at a viewpoint and sketch the view...if you can see it through the mist!
