Categories
figure drawing Life drawing

Not being able to sketch at my own life drawing class

It’s ironic that I don’t have the time to draw at my own life drawing evenings, I visit other places like Konstnärshuset (The Artist’s House) and sketch there instead. I don’t mind at all, it gives me a great deal of pleasure organising life drawing sessions, making sure the lighting is good, getting excellent models and making fantastic coffee.
My life drawing session is today (Thursday) by the way at Dieselverkstaden 18.30 – 20.30, a shameless plug 😉

These watercolours where sketched at Konstnärshuset last Tuesday, number one and two I spent a few minutes working on the day after. The actual poses are between 10 and 5 minutes long.

Categories
exhibition

Exhibition over, my thoughts

Gallery Rääf
Gallery Rääf

With the help of my wife I gathered up all my watercolours and packed them into the car last night. It’s always a strange feeling coming to the end of something, be it a holiday abroad or an exhibition in Stockholm.

The exhibition was a success in many ways but to be honest I didn’t sell so many watercolours, enough to break even but no more than that. On the positive side though I really appreciated the words of encouragement I received from all the people who dropped by. Words of praise like, ‘you have developed so much in such a short time’ to ‘your art is at a real high level’ – this really charges my enthusiasm to keep on trying. One stroke at a time, a little better, a little wiser.

Right now, the way I feel is that I will not be having a solo exhibition anytime soon. I just want to focus on improving, I look forward to getting back into my routine of painting in the morning, I have many ideas on where I want to go with my art. That was one of the good things to come out of the exhibition, I had all my art from the last two years up on the walls, I had time to look and analyse them, to see which direction I would like to go. Some watercolours represented the old me where as a number show hints of where I am heading. Really exciting, I can’t wait to get back painting again. In that way, the exhibition was indeed a success.

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Categories
exhibition

Two days left to see my watercolours

My watercolours are on show at Rääf Gallery, Hornsgatan 32, Stockholm. Exhibition ends 25th of September 18.00.
12.00 – 18.00 Tuesday, Wednesday.

Categories
Video watercolor Watercolour Watercolouring

Watercolour Demonstration Ep.11

From the Finnish archipelago, Ep.11

Here is my latest demonstration video on YouTube. I spent a whole month sailing around the Finnish and Åland archipelagos with my wife and two close friends. I spent lots of time sketching and taking reference photos for future use. While on the island of Ekskär in the Finnish archipelago I managed to do a demonstration painting which is featured here. The day was incredibly warm and the windbreaker I had behind me made it super hot because it stopped any breeze reaching me at all. It did protect me from the harmful sun rays though.
The painting was a real challenge in the end, I could not get into a comfortable position, I was sitting which I now realise isn’t ideal for doing demonstration paintings. Ah well, lesson learned – next time I will stand which will make filming so much easier.
I hope you enjoy the video, I am happy with it even if I seem to be moaning at bit. Ignore me and watch it, let me know what you think.
Cheers,
David

Categories
Watercolour

Creating drama out of nothing

I was feeling unwell yesterday evening – but the day was beautiful and the Åland archipelago was so wonderful, I just had to paint it.
There was nothing going on, the evening was still and we had found a safe mooring for the night. I painted what was in front of me, it was lacking something so i added the figures. Now it is up to you to tell the story, I haven’t a clue, I’m just an artist 😉

A watercolour of Granskär, Åland
Granskär, Åland
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Categories
watercolor Watercolour

Urban Escape

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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Categories
Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Abandoned Caravan watercolour

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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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
David Meldrum Sketch watercolor Watercolour

Sketching at the Maritime Museum

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.

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