Year: 2019

Categories
Edsvik watercolor Watercolour

National Watercolour Exhibition – Edsvik

A watercolour of the Stockholm ferry, Västan.
Västan

I was very happy to have one of my paintings excepted into the annual National Watercolour Exhibition at the Edsvik Art Gallery. The watercolour is entitled, Västan – which is the name of the Stockholm ferry featured.

It’s interesting for me as this watercolour is two years old and as I am still developing as an artist it is very much from my past. It has a strong composition which is good but my technical skills have improved a lot since 2017. Another interesting fact is that this painting was exhibited at The Salamanca ECWS exhibition of 2017. I was so proud that I was chosen to represent Sweden in this European watercolour event.

Become a Patron!
Categories
Uncategorized

Practicing for my first workshop

Gentle archipelago breeze
Gentle archipelago breeze

I painted this sketch yesterday, I just wanted to practice so that I feel comfortable with the subject. I also wondered what the composition would feel like with one of the sailing boat’s masts tilted by a small gust of wind as it rounded the island. I like it, much more dynamic, so I will go with this when I paint the demonstration version this Saturday.
Many people want to be in the workshop which is great considering I advertised it so late last week. Still a few places left if you are interested! 🙂

The sketch is about A5 in size and painted on Saunders Waterford paper.

Categories
Uncategorized

My first workshop – 9th of March

Yes, I am going to try my hand at teaching. I am very late getting this out to people so I’ll be happy if only two come. It’s on the 9th of March which is next week already!
I spent so much time thinking about how I wanted to teach and what I wanted to paint that now time has run out. You got to start somewhere, it doesn’t matter if not so many turn up the first time, the main thing for me is that I start. That’s a major step forward and I am happy with that.
Here is the link to the workshop, it’s mainly in Swedish but I do explain in English at the bottom of the page.
Have a nice weekend folks!

Part of my teaching – Managing tonal values.
Categories
Uncategorized

Just practising

Sveavägen sketch
Sveavägen sketch

I am getting better at just sketching for fun. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to improve which is good but at the same time I know it’s not recommended to be deadly serious all the time. So, yesterday I had some fun. It’s fun having fun. Sounds like I am trying to persuade myself that relaxing is a good thing.

Become a Patron!
Categories
demonstration Video watercolor Watercolour Watercolouring youtube

The Giant’s Causeway [ Ep.7 ]

The Giant's Causeway by David Meldrum
The Giant's Causeway
Meldrum Art – Watercolour Demonstration

The subject of this watercolour demonstration is The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
Last May I arrived there at sunrise and was excited to use my drone to film for the very first time.
Later, back in Stockholm I really enjoyed painting the scene I chose and I hope you enjoy watching it too. As I paint I explain my thought process and how I approach each stage of the watercolour.
The film is longer than my previous videos, this is because I want to show the full process and not to be frustrated trying to squeeze it all into a typical 20 minute YouTube film. Let me know what you think, I always welcome critical feedback that helps to improve my watercolour demonstrations.

I hope you find this watercolour demonstration educational and a little inspiring.
You can support this project for as little as $1 a month. Join my wonderful supporters at Patreon.com. Click the link below to find out more: https://www.patreon.com/meldrumart

Become a Patron!
Categories
David Meldrum Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Sketching at the Maritime Museum

David Meldrum sketches
David Meldrum sketches

I was photographed in full concentration while sketching at the Stockholm Maritime Museum. I had a great day there and I am sure I will be returning again soon.

Become a Patron!
Categories
Sketch Sketches watercolor Watercolour

Painting watercolours at the Maritime Museum again.

Winter Sea 1980 - Meldrum Art
Winter Sea 1980 - Meldrum Art

I am totally enjoying going to the Maritime Museum (Sjöhistoriska) here in Stockholm. I was there two weeks ago but I just had to come back. So yesterday I spent the whole day there together with a fellow sketching friend.
These watercolours are sketched on Saunders Waterford paper. It’s so good to just paint all day, I learn so much by playing around and experimenting. I think it is so important to test new techniques and try things that are a little scary. No one likes to fail but one should accept that one learns through mistakes. I make lots of mistakes!

Silva 1939 - Meldrum Art
Silva 1939 – Meldrum Art
Galeas Baltic ketch 1786 - Meldrum Art
Galeas Baltic ketch 1786 – Meldrum Art
Winter Sea 1980 - Meldrum Art
Winter Sea 1980 – Meldrum Art
Categories
My Sketches Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Importance of a preliminary watercolour sketch

The Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway

I am preparing to film my latest watercolour demonstration which features the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. This watercolour ( is the third and final sketch that I have done. I have reference photographs but I need to translate those images into a watercolour that is emotive and therefore interesting. I think I am nearly there, I will be using a half sheet of Saunders Waterford paper for the final painting it will have a widescreen 16:9 format, wider in other words.
Keep an eye out for my new episode of Meldrum Watercolour Journeys on YouTube, it should be ready by the end of the week. Cheers!


Become a Patron!

Click the thumbnail below for full-sized image.

  • The Giant's Causeway
    The Giant’s Causeway
Categories
Uncategorized

Visit to the Natural History Museum

Swan sketch by David Meldrum
Swan


I visited the Natural History Museum (Naturhistoriska) yesterday with my friend, Daniel Luther who is also an enthusiastic watercolour artist.
The museum is a great place to come and practice sketching during the winter months here in Stockholm. It’s -5 degrees outside and snowing at the moment so not great weather for plein air painting.
I chose to paint a swan first. When I opened my palette I discovered that red paint had leaked out into the mixing area, so I decided to us it as a background to the swan. It’s pretty dramatic but I like it 🙂
The duck sketch is definitely influenced by the famous Swedish watercolour artist, Lars Lerin. He has been to the museum in the past but I do not know if he actually sketched at the museum or just took reference photos. Does anyone out there know? Anyway, this sketch is homage to his style of painting.
It was a great day, I really should sketch away from the studio more often.

  • Swan and ducks
  • Swan
  • Ducks
  • Davdi and Daniel
  • David poses
  • My Field easel
  • Painting in progress
Become a Patron!