Busman's Holiday
We went on holiday to Portugal this year - near Ericeira, for a Yoga Retreat.
While Mrs J flexed and breathed deeply, I scampered off with my watercolours and pencils to get some sketching done.
I found a miniature 'valley of rocks' that kept me busy in the misty mornings, and in the sunset evenings I sat eagle-like on clifftop ledges to draw and paint the valley below.
I have never sketched so intensively before, and enjoyed the experience immensely.
As you can see, I tried a number of approaches, and think I was most successful with the looser work.
All the pictures were made on 5x7 inch cold or hot pressed paper.
I worked with six colours in my watercolour box, and a set of Derwent Coloursoft pencils.
For the first time in 30 years, Mrs J came and made a drawing too.
That pleased me greatly.
I am not sure what theses sketches will lead to. I doubt that I will 'work them up'.
If nothing else, it means that the scenery and the feel of the place is well and truly printed on my memory.
Look out, though, for split and fissured abstract blocks of plum and ochre in the weeks to come.
