Life in The South of France
Le Somail on Canal du Midi. I’ve always loved taking people here. We go for that table virtually in the water - almost and look towards the ‘hump’ bridge which is great to sketch.
There are several huge ducks - ducks are really big here - in more ways than one - you’d think they were geese - and they are hilarious the way they try to be the boss of everything on the canal.
They are pretty noisy if they don’t want people getting too close, but everyone loves them and the leader often goes up the gangplank to the man who owns it, and they have a cuddle. Brings a tear to your eye.
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Wild Flowers, Herbs, Roses and Old Wares in The Minervois
Mostly we’re here in our village of Trausse Minervois a little later than this, so seeing Spring bursting forth is a real bonus.
Mornings and evenings are still chilly but the blue sky days are glorious without the high heat of Summer - coming in June and July.
Our walks are full of surprises for us as we see big varieties of roadside flowers and herbs, walk on Thyme underfoot - and the air is filled with the aroma.
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Coming back to South of France
The Winter has passed in the South of France and Spring is springing. Some of the big trees in the square are just getting tiny first leaves. They look like sculptures rather than trees.
The vineyards are full of newly pruned grape varieties they too have the first tufts of green.
The poppies are out everywhere. The beautiful Flanders poppy. Coming up in fields and ploughed spaces. Sharp red alongside yellow Mustard flowers and purple Wood Violet all blooming together. So beautiful among the grass road edges and fields.
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Taste of Sketching. Seashells and The Sea
Off to the beach today to do some serious observation of the pathway leading down to the sand, and how the banks on each side come in to join it. We begin with the horizon line and decide how much sea and beach we can get in below that. Trees on either side create a frame.
Back to the studio for our French baguette lunch with a glass of Rose, and to cool down.
By now we’ve moved inside to avoid the hottest temperatures of the day.
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Journaling. Sketching the Story
Our final week was about journaling.
This is where you can carry your sketching skills out into the big world and record your impressions in this simple and effective way, wherever you are.
Travel Sketching at it’s finest.
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Eye Level Perspective. What goes up and what goes down
A small challenge this week.
Not only are you going to learn how perspective works, you’re also going to stand on the street and sketch it right there - straight in with the black pen.
Turns out they’re doing big alterations on the little Blue Church which was our subject.
Concrete mixers, work trucks, ladders, scaffolding. Mmmm.
Not to be concerned - life does throw curlies at us sometimes - we just get on.
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Yes you CAN sketch people
Sketching people can truly be fun. No faces required. Just shape and form.
The little mannequin was met with much delight along with a sheet of ‘sausage people’ to help see proportion.
It was also a gorgeous sunshiney day and everything in the garden was lovely.
We only had one wood mannequin today. But, wait till later this week!
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'Taste of Sketching' February Workshop
February ‘Taste of Sketching’ Workshop on a hot steamy Sunday.
That’s February for you in this part of the world. Very humid as well, but we survived the day very well.
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Hey ho Hey ho, It's off to the Beach we Go.
Let’s take the big plunge and sketch plain air/ on location this week.
A great plan starting with a sea-shell still life to warm up our sketching hand, and coffee.
Then a real life beach scene as seen through your very own eyes!
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Two very special Private Tours
Two very special Private Tours are coming up.
TURKEY in June followed by SCOTLAND in July.
Only 4 people will be coming on each of these tours planned and organised by Milton and Erin.
Check the Blog and the Website for the full story.
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Apartment at Kingscliff Beach
An offer to family and friends.
Milton and I are off on our travels again very soon.
If you not joining us, you may be interested in this!
Our second floor 2 bedroom apartment at the quiet end of Kingscliff Beach, Tweed Rivers, NSW Australia, will be available for rent for 6 months. Late April to late September. 2023.
Its fully furnished so has everything you’d need. Read on……
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Another week's sketching fun
Glorious weather again for Week 2. Remember last week!!! Whoa the humidity was pretty hard going. But you know what we sketchers are like - bring it on - sketching is more important than a bit of discomfort!!
We were looking at a garden bits and pieces still life to start our day - well after coffee of course.
This one pushed you a little to really observe the shapes and how the pieces all fit together from where you are sitting.
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Kingscliff NSW Australia. Back to sketching again.
Whatever happened to January!!!
Because we’ve begun our first term Wednesday and Friday Travel Sketching classes and we don’t know where it went. What a very rewarding first week it was too. It’s pretty hot and humid in February so were were fine in the Gazebo for Wednesday.
Friday was a killer. 33degrees Downunder - that’s hot. Nearby it was hotter. Started in the Gazebo then bailed to the upstairs Studio with fans and a breeze. Whew.
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Sydney Sketch Workshop. Jan 18 2023
If you are alone your sketchbook is your friend.
Take yourself to a cafe and do just what we did here in the Workshop.Get yourself a coffee and maybe a cake, and there’s your still life waiting to be sketched. You’ll find you’re far too engrossed to worry about anyone watching. In fact it’s a lovely friendly way to engage with others - theyre usually sooo friendly and impressed.
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Get ready for Sketching with me in 2023
I have to admit that I adore what I do.
How lucky am I to be able to guide people to become passionate sketchers like me.
Some have said ‘It changed my life’ which is the biggest reward there can be.
Thank you to everyone who has given me the opportunity to live this life. and to share what I do with you.
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Sketching at Marlborough College Summer School
Marlborough Week 3 July 25th - July 29th 2022
It feels slightly surreal to be here after twice being cancelled through a certain pandemic.
But we are and everybody is loving being here and very keen to learn.
Fab sketches from everyone over 5days.
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Sketching in the Minervois Southern France
Day2 and 3 of our 5Day Travel Sketching Workshop in the Minervois are glorious days once again and not as hot as it is this week - thank goodness.
You can book a 5 Day Travel Sketching Workshop from mid September - 2 available
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Sketching Castles
In Sydney Australia Kirsten’s Week 5 group were at Government House in Sydney, which is rather castle-like.
In Southern France, our very keen client from Naples had booked herself a 5Day Travel Sketch Workshop - and what a wonderful week we had.
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This week. Sketching at the Beach. Getting ready for South of France.
Sketching at the beach in Mosman Sydney Australia.
Getting the basics for our 200yr old house in South of France - first week here.
No sketching I’m afraid but also preparing for our 5Day Workshop with a gorgeous client from Naples this coming week.
Plus updating details for our Turkey and Sicily upcoming tours - when I have internet!!
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Getting to know Watercolours
Both our Workshops from this week were on Saturday.
And so was my USk Gold Coast Australia event.
However when I wake up on Saturday in the USA those events have happened 14hrs earlier.
Takes some getting used to!
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