Category: watercolor

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Sketch Sketches urban sketching watercolor Watercolour

A Sketch is so important

Sketches of Stockholm by David Meldrum
Sketches of Stockholm

I am talking to myself when I say, “Sketches are so important”.
It is so easy to just be lazy and start painting directly with a photo that is in front of you. We rarely succeed when shortcuts are taken, a photo needs to be interpreted, analysed and broken down. It needs to be simplified and elements moved or removed. So this is why doing a quick sketch beforehand is so important, we discover what should be done to achieve a good watercolour.
In the perfect world I would prefer to sketch outdoors but that not possible here for a large part of the year, it’s minus degrees and windy here in Stockholm today.
Next week I travel to Costa Brava in Spain for a week of sketching. More about that in an upcoming post.


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watercolor Watercolour

Watercolour of Kungsgatan, Stockholm

Watercolour of Kungsgatan by David Meldrum
Kungsgatan

I am finding this street scene a real challenge. I am enjoying it though, I basically have to paint kungsgatan several more times before I can be fully happy. This isn’t a bad watercolour, I just want to do it better. I guess that’s the artist’s curse, never totally content – always trying be better.

For Sale: €350

Title: Kungsgatan
Technical information: Painted on the backside of Saunders Waterford Rough. 26 x 36 cm. I use W&N, Holbien and Daniel Smith paints.

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watercolor Watercolour

Final painting of Stockholm street

Sibyllegatan, Stockholm
Sibyllegatan, Stockholm

I enjoyed painting this street scene of Sibyllegatan here in Stockholm – I seem to be on a bit of a roll. It’s wonderful when you feel that you have taken a step up in your development. This is how I feel right now. I believe I have a better vision of what I want to achieve and how to get there.
Last week I took a lot of photos of Stockholm in strong spring sunlight . I think it’s fun just walking around and trying to find a great composition.

Sold:

Technical information: Painted on the backside of Saunders Waterford Rough. 26 x 36 cm. I use W&N, Holbien and Daniel Smith paints.



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watercolor Watercolour

The first watercolour wash

Sibyllegatan, first watercolour wash.
Sibyllegatan

Here is how my first watercolour wash looked like during the painting of Sibyllegatan (Sibylle Street), Stockholm
Technical information: Painted on the backside of Saunders Waterford Rough. 26 x 36 cm. I use W&N, Holbien and Daniel Smith paints.

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watercolor Watercolour

Watercolour of Birger Jarlsgatan, Stockholm

Birger Jarlsgatan by Davdi Meldrum
Birger Jarlsgatan by Davdi Meldrum

Like I said in the previous post, it is so nice to be painting again. My focus this week is capturing light in urban settings.

For Sale: €400

Title: Birger Jarlsgatan
Technical information: Painted on the backside of Saunders Waterford Rough. 26 x 36 cm. I use W&N, Holbien and Daniel Smith paints.

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watercolor Watercolour Watercolouring Watercolours

Experimenting with light

Sankt Eriksgatan, Stockholm
Sankt Eriksgatan, Stockholm

After weeks of illness it is so nice to be watercolouring again. I was very frustrated not being well enough to paint but I am recovering and I feel a lot better now.
I am very focused on improving myself these days so I throw myself into areas that are uncomfortable. Zones like portrait painting and urban scenes, I also feel I can improve a lot in the painting light. This what I am focused on this week.

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Portrait watercolor Watercolour

Nice to be painting again

portrait practice
portrait practice

I was very ill last week and I’m still recovering. The most frustrating thing about not being well is the inability to paint. It was a wonderful feeling therefore to do some portrait practice yesterday evening, it means I am feeling better and soon everything will be back to normal.
This young girl uploaded her pouting face onto Sktchy App which is a great photo resource for portrait artists, the only negative is that everyone seems to pout their lips when they take selfies of themselves. A sign of the times.
Saunders Waterford Sketchbook, 28 X 38 cm

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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.

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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

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