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Tag: meldrum art

  • A calm day in the outer archipelago

    Recently, I have been painting from photographs that I have taken. As I write this, there is sleet falling to the ground. It’s not quite spring yet. Or, this is spring, it’s just a Nordic one.

    The story behind the watercolour is that we took ourselves to Svartlöga on a ferry from Rödlöga, two islands in the outer archipelago. We wanted to visit Svartlöga for a long time but it’s difficult to visit with a sailing boat. We decided to take a ferry from Rödlöga and leave our boat behind.

    This probably doesn’t make much sense to you, but it’s when I took the reference photo for the watercolour. I’m happy with the painting, but maybe not the explanation.

    Svartlöga is surrounded by rocks, making it difficult to land there with a boat.
    Click to see full size.

  • A farm south of Stockholm

    This is actually a studio painting. I say that because for some reason I find it really hard to paint in the studio. I just want to paint plein air all the time. It’s cold here though, so it’s wise to stay indoors.
    You know what I did! I removed my studio easel and replaced it with my field easel and voilà, I suddenly found it easy to paint indoors. Mind games, that’s all it is. 😁

    Click the image below for full sized image.

  • A forgotten sketchbook

    A forgotten sketchbook

    I somehow forgot to film and publish this sketchbook from 2022 – 2023. Well, here it is now! 😊

    I use these small sketchbooks because they are easy to always have in a pocket or shoulder bag. I like the texture of the paper. The brand is, Hand Book Journal .Co and it’s distributed by Speedball Art Products, Statesville, NC. It’s made in India originally. The size I use is 14 x 9cm or 5.5″x3.5″. Here is a link to their website: https://www.speedballart.com/our-product-lines/paper/artist-journals-sketchbooks/travelogue-journals/

  • Meldrum Watercolour Demonstrations to restart early next year.

    Meldrum Watercolour Demonstrations to restart early next year.

    So, I decided to end my life drawing classes after 8 years. It was a difficult decision, but it feels right. It’s time for me to move on. It was a fantastic journey. I acquired many new friends along the way. It made me so happy that so many enjoyed the weekly drawing sessions.

    In order to fill the vacuum, I plan to start doing watercolour demonstrations online. It will be very simple in format. Participants will be able to pre download the week’s featured image.

    I will paint the scene online and people are welcome to watch or join in and paint the scene themselves. I will have two cameras. One overhead and the other focused on my pallet.

    The demonstration will last for 2-3 hours depending on the complexity of the subject. I don’t want money to be a barrier so will only charge 150 sek ( €14) per session. If a participant only joins for a short time they can pay whatever feels resonable to them.

    There is a group on Facebook called, Meldrum Watercolour Demonstrations. If you are interested, please join the group. All the latest information like dates and times will be there. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/meldrumwatercolourdemonstrations

    Welcome!

  • A watercolour painting of a fluffy Greek tree

    It was the end of October. I had booked a last minute flight to Chania, on the island of Crete. I don’t cope very well with the Swedish winter, so it was really nice to have a little holiday in the sun. I had rented a 50cc motorbike to help me get around the island and find inspiration.

    In this video I am about 30 minutes west of Chania town. I found a tree that interested me. The challenge I set myself was to capture its volume.

    I really enjoyed this one. It was so quiet where I was. The sound of the sea, the clear blue sky. It was wonderful.


    Join my Patreon supporters gang! See exclusive personal videos, bonus material, and even receive original watercolours as thanks. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/meldrumart

    #PaintingOutdoors #Watercolour #Pleinair

  • Chania, Crete. A week in pictures

    Chania, Crete. A week in pictures

    Here are a bunch of photos that show my painting experience while getting a small winter-break from the darkness of the north.

    Each morning I would drive off with my easel looking for something to inspire me.

  • The last plein air from a productive week

    I had a wonderful week in Chania, Crete. It was the end of the tourist season. There was a calmness about the place. The beaches were empty, even my apartments hotel was empty. I was the only guest towards the end of my stay. The weather was still sunny and warm. I felt so lucky to be enjoying the beautiful coastline of Chania.

  • Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out

    Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out

    I tried my best to capture the little castle called, Kastellet. Unfortunately my composition was not very good. Although, I liked the little castle. So it worked out a little.

  • Just getting out and painting

    Just getting out and painting

    This plein air watercolour is a view of Riddarholmen in Stockholm. I’ve painted it before. It was very spontaneous, I just stopped and said to myself, I’ll paint that.

    Currently, I have the mindset of just getting out of the apartment, loading my bike with my painting gear, and seeing what happens. I just cycle until I see something that inspires. I find that not making any definite plans makes it feel more like an adventure. It’s just more fun.