Urban watercolour confession

2019.05.22

I basically have to admit that this watercolour or any other urban – watercolour that I have done has been difficult for me. I feel I am just learning the ropes, a total beginner but of course I have been painting these scenes for years. So I struggle and each time I learn something new. I am rarely happy with the end result but I am trying really hard to be kinder to myself. It is important to enjoy oneself after all.

Kungsgatan watercolour
Kungsgatan

This painting is a continuation of studies of Kungsgatan, a main street here in central Stockholm. 36 x 26 cm

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Urban Escape

2019.05.20

I have a favourite spot in Stockholm at the moment, it’s the corner of Sveavägen and kungsgatan. I am using my own photographs as reference but very soon I will be out in the streets painting plein air for real. After my trip to Spain recently made me realise that this is what I want to do most.

The Crossing 26 x 36 cm
Painted on Saunders Waterford Rough 300g

If you live in Stockholm maybe my second workshop on the 25th of May will interest you. I will be showing how I paint urban streets and giving hands on tuition to my students. Visit here for more information. https://www.meldrum.se/meldrum-art-akvarell-kurser/mala-stockholm-2019-05-25/

The Crossing - A watercolour by David Meldrum
The Crossing
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Life drawing with fever

2019.05.11

Two negative things that have happened to me this year. I have been ill a lot and I haven’t attended life drawing classes. I have my own life drawing class every week (Meldrum Kroki) but I don’t have time to sketch then, ironic I know. So last Saturday, even though I was running a fever I went to a life drawing class that wasn’t mine. It was great to be drawing again but looking at my sketches, I must have been in a bit of a dark place, must have been the fact I wasn’t well. I was happy I pushed myself to do it though.

  • sketch 1
  • sketch 2
  • sketch 3
  • sketch 4
  • sketch 5
  • sketch 6
  • sketch 7
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Cold day to be naked watercolour

2019.05.08

I stumbled across an image on the internet and it inspired me to do this painting this morning. I would love to give the photographer and the model some credit but there was no information attached to the photo. I made changes to the background but the basic pose is the same.
Please contact me if I have been inspired by your photograph!

Too cold to be standing on a mountain
Too cold to be standing on a mountain
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My second watercolour workshop

Dieselverstaden 2019.05.25

Yes, I am excited about my second watercolour workshop on the 25th. My goal this time is to inspire and teach others how to enjoy painting the streets of Stockholm. More information here:
https://www.meldrum.se/meldrum-art-akvarell-kurser/mala-stockholm-2019-05-25/

Painting Stockholm
Painting Stockholm

Two sketches

I thought this might be interesting for a few. I mask my sketckbook page with tape when I create a border. I like it that way.

From my Sketchbook
From my Sketchbook

< Click the image to see full size

A sketch a day keeps me heading the right way.

2019.05.05

I try to sketch everyday but of course life keeps getting in the way. This last week has been really busy, mostly seasonal stuff like getting the boat ready for launch and putting summer tyres on the car etc. The seasons are very clear here in Sweden. Half the year is dark and cold and the other half is light and warm(ish), simple.
I continue to do some urban sketching. I painted this from a fuzzy iPhone photo I took while I was walking, I never bothered to stop, I just snapped off a bunch of pictures. It’s not a bad technique really, I got some interesting angles.

Abandoned Caravan watercolour

2019.04.30

I wandered around the caravan park I was staying on the last day of my painting trip. The park was pretty empty, it was a day after the Easter weekend. I discovered this abandoned caravan tucked away in a corner, I thought the composition was wonderful so I took a few shots with my phone. I stumbled across the images again this morning when I was wondering what to paint. I decided to do a sketch first and I’m happy with the result. I must do a larger version of it very soon, I still feel it is a great composition.

I stayed at the Moby Dick Caravan Park very close to the centre of Calella. It was quiet and the family running the park were charming.

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Watercolours from my trip to the Costa Brava, Spain.

2019.04.17 – 24

I had an amazing week staying mainly in the town of Calella but I also visited, Pals, Cadaqués and Girona.
Here are my watercolours from the trip. The great thing about painting outdoors for a week it that you gain such a connection with the landscape you are in. A photograph is only ever an image.

  • One of the many beaches in Calella
    One of the many beaches in Calella
  • Llfranc watercolour sketch
    Llfranc watercolour sketch
  • First sketches from Calella
    First sketches from Calella
  • A sketch from the medieval town of Pals
    A sketch from the medieval town of Pals
  • A study of a tree in Cadaqués
    A study of a tree in Cadaqués
  • Cadaqués
    Cadaqués
  • Waves in Calella
    Waves in Calella
  • A study from Calella
    A study from Calella
  • Calella sea view
    Calella sea view
  • The rocks of Calella
    The rocks of Calella
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