Sketchbook Pages

Outdoor drawing sessions in my sketchbook.

Copying Masters: Charles Reid

Another attempt of mine to solve the secret of transparent and breathing watercolors of inexpliсable, inimitable, talented and unpredictable Mr. Charles Reid (his site).

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Watercolor and Oil Pastel on Arches, 30 x 40cm

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate!

Sweet November

Sweet quiet November evening in Budva, Montenegro.

The Night

I tried, but failed to show the silver of the Adriatic Night. I will practice more.

The Blue of the Sea

The Adriatic Sea has the impossibly beautiful emerald-light blue color. Just look at it and all your problems go away.

Little Marina

Have you ever dreamed to own a yacht? I never did. I am afraid of open spaces with no land in sight. But what a joy to see them, boats and yachts, these beautiful proves of human brain's achievements.

Babushkas

I suppose the ladies are discussing the grandchildren, warm autumn and stranger, who's taking a photo of them.

EDM #37 Draw Some Keys

Here is the narrow cabinet near the entrance door. I sketched its everyday busy life: apartment keys, car keys, yellow "forget me not" shopping list, old mp3 player - can't throw, don't know where to use.
Once again my many many thanks to ideas list of Danny Gregory (here)

Blue Eyes

This watercolor bouquet is painted on old piece of Arches paper. In the summer of 2010 I was in USA participating in watercolor workshop by Janet and Steve Rogers. One day Janet taught us her way in romantic portraiture and seeing my complete helplessness in drawing human face, she did me a favor and drew the girl's face for me, so I could begin with watercoloring it.
That day I did not find the courage to ruin the beautiful sketch by Janet. I kept it for all those years. But the time has come. I did this bouquet, I added color to the face and made this combination look like the completed story.
Thank you, Janet for your inspiration through all these years.

Summertime

Happiness of summertime. Long days, warm nights, bright colors.

Fuchsia Buds Study

Started with the intention to draw in transparent and delicate watercolor washes, I ended up with usual expressionistic overworked result. Self-portrait of the painter...

Fuchsia at a Balcony

I would like to have the new skirt with this design.

Faces

June was busy and distracting, I hope July will be different.

Girl with Dark Eyes

And now I have found enough courage and audacity to come to the foot of the highest mountain in my art study landscape: portraits. Human faces, face expression, men's and women's faces, aging faces, emotions, the list is endless, the mounting is Everest high.
Fast sketch in my sketchbook (I feel best when do work in one session, without interruption in mood and paint flow).
Feels strange to see that somebody unknown starts looking at you from the sketchbook page..

Flowers Bouquet

40x60cm, Watercolor and Pastel

Drawing is the sort of magic. Drawing flowers  is the magic doubled.

Monkeys

Fast sketches of our closest relatives. Though I'd prefer cats to be our great-grandparents.. Maybe then the world would not be that crazy.
PS. I do not believe in Darwin's evolution theory.

"Visit Norway" Poster

This is the final view of the poster, which fate will be decided tomorrow.
I used  the photos of my drawings and arranged them in Photoshop, adding text in different fonts, adding Norwegian ornament for the background.
Nice experience. My first illustration and design experience.
12 things to do in Norway this summer:
1. Ohhhh, nature!
2. To see the wooden church.
3. To buy troll and to see the Norwegian cat.
4. To go fishing and to eat fish.
5. To get scared with Munch.
6. To feel Hardangervidda.
7. To fall in love with Bergen.
8. To drink beer in Oslo
9. To experience a ferry.
10. To learn about vikings.
11. To get surprised by Vigeland.
12. To love Norway with the deep of your heart and forever.

Sketches for "Visit Norway" Poster

Trolls, cats, ferries and green roofs. This and that of my Norwegian impressions.

Bergen Rooftops for "Visit Norway" Poster

Bergen is one of the most beautiful Norwegian cities. And very colorful.