I spent two days on the island of Nåtarö in the Stockholm archipelago during the summer. This watercolour, for some reason was a difficult painting, I don’t know why, it just was. It didn’t turn out too bad in the end at least.
Blog
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Are my life drawings better than my watercolours?
A dear friend said the other day that he liked my sketches better than my paintings. He’s not the only one who has said that. A famous watercolour artist stated that he loved my life drawings, he didn’t mention anything about my watercolours. It just goes to prove that I have room to grow as an artist. Like anyone else, I need to practice and hone my skills. 😁
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My second painting from the adventure in Gällnö
This was an interesting watercolour. It wasn’t completed on the day, it was finished later in the studio. I remember it started to rain, it rained a lot. I had to stop painting and packed my things. I eventually took the ferry back to Stockholm.
Back in the studio I painted the foreground, the reflections on the water in front of the old fisherman’s shed. I also lowered the horizon line to help improve the perspective. That was acheived by making the trees in the distance taller.
I’m happy enough with how it turned out. Let me know what you think. -
I published my pencil sketches from 2021-2026
I have been meaning to create a page on my website for my pencil sketches. Finally, I completed the task. Click below, if you would like to see them. I often feel that my pencil drawings are better than my watercolours. What do you think?
https://www.meldrum.se/my-sketches/
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A visit to Gällnö
I visited the island of Gällnö on the 1st of July. I had my camping gear with me and I stayed for one night. It’s so easy to take a ferry out to the islands.
If anyone is wondering what chair I am using, it is a Norwegian brand called Vidda. It really is quite comfortable. As I get older, it may become harder to get in and out of it. Right now it’s fine though. 😀
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Painting on a beautiful Nordic beach
During the summer, I was on the island of Ålö in the Stockholm archipelago. I camped for several days and explored the island. Naturally, I painted while there. I never get bored in the great outdoors.
I filmed while painting, and will be publishing the video at a later date.
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Sketching at The Swedish National Maritime Museum in the rain
It was nice to be back sketching with the Stockholm Urban Sketchers group yesterday.
The conditions were challenging at Sjöhistoriska. (The Swedish National Maritime Museum)
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It took me half a year to finish this painting!
I started painting this watercolour in October 2025. There was a lot happening around me that day so I found it hard to concentrate. I decided it was best to finish the painting at a later date.
So finally, I completed the watercolour in July this year. I am happy with the result but I do wish I could have shown you more of me actually painting it. I decided not to film a lot because it was difficult enough just painting the scene.
Saying this, I hope the video gives you an insight into my painting process. This was a difficult watercolour and I am happy I managed to complete it. The aim of my videos is to encourage you to go outside and give plein air painting a go. Click below to see the YouTube video.
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Camping illegally and painting watercolours
It was not a serious crime. I camped outside the designated camping area on the island of Utö in June. A large part of Utö belongs to the Swedish millitary, They have a shooting range, not just guns, but big guns if you know what I mean. Anyway, I didn’t camp anywhere near the millitary area.
I painted two watercolours during my three day visit to the island. I will publish a video of the experience at a later date. Here is the first of those two watercolours. It’s a simple composition, it was a actually a struggle, but aren’t all paintings just that, a struggle, one can only hope for a happy ending.
