https://www.meldrum.se

Tag: painting holiday

  • 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

  • The slow life in Sicilian Lipari

    The slow life in Sicilian Lipari

    I spent a number of years sailing in the Mediterranean. I was a guest on my father in law’s sailing boat. It was a privilege to spend two weeks just cruising. Delicious meals in small harbour towns. Slowly making our way from one point on the map to another. Nice, very nice.

    Click the image below for a full sized view.

  • A new video. A painting holiday in Croatia

    A new video. A painting holiday in Croatia

    To combat my annual winter blues I try to take myself to a sunny place as often as I can. This year I travelled to Makarska, Croatia. It was a great choice, I totally enjoyed painting everyday from morning to sunset. I had been to Croatia once before when I was very young, actually it was still called Yugoslavia, it was that long ago. It’s a beautiful country, I totally recommend a visit.

    A painting holiday in Croatia
    Makarska, Croatia.
  • Painting on quarter sheets again.

    Painting on quarter sheets again.

    After two days of painting in a small format I took the step up to painting on a quarter-sheet ( 36.5 x 26.5 cm ). This is not a huge size or anything but for a person who hasn’t been well it’s a very big step. It feels really good to have my energy back or my mojo as I called it in yesterday’s post. I am now able to deal with the two hours or so it takes to complete a painting of this size.
    I painted two watercolours a day for the rest of my time in Makarska. Not every watercolour was a success but I was happy enough with most of them.

    Yesterday, I was back painting out in the archipelago here in Stockholm. Strong winds, 7 degrees, grey skies and rain from time to time. If I had the choice, I think I’d stay in the Mediterranean for the autumn. 😉

    Makarska
    Makarska
    Makarska
    Makarska
    Makarska
  • Painting in Croatia

    Painting in Croatia

    I just spent a lovely week in Makarska, Croatia. I was painting non stop and getting as much autumn sun as I possibly could. It was an important trip for me. I feel that I have at last rediscovered my mojo after a number of bad years which are now behind me. I feel good, so nice to be painting at a level that feels rewarding. 

    Makarska, Croatia
    Makarska, Croatia
    Makarska, Croatia
    Makarska, Croatia
    Makarska, Croatia
    Makarska, Croatia
    Makarska, Croatia

    The first two days I painted in an *A5 format that I frequently use when out sketching. The first day I painted four and the next day I painted three watercolours. I just wandered around Makarska and found endless inspiration wherever I looked. The light was fantastic. I sat in the shade and didn´t shiver and I painted all day with just a break for lunch.

    I will post more watercolours from the trip soon. I moved up to a larger quarter-sheet format, difficult in the beginning but I overcame the monster that was in my head. Poor self-confidence basically. 

    I would recommend Croatia in the low season to anyone who wants to sketch outdoors and avoid the cold.

    *17.5 x 12.5 cm