I have been visiting Björnö here in the Stockholm archipelago for many weeks now. It gets a little warmer each time I sketch there. Yesterday, I decided to do a studio painting based on my sketches and photographs. I am trying to catch the Scandinavian melancholy I feel when I visit the archipelago during the winter months. I’m happy with the result.
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Tag: watercolor
I am looking for a softer approach to my painting and so I am testing different techniques. In this nude study the paper was very wet when I applied the watercolour pigment. The fact it spread like crazy is exactly why I love this medium.
This is a final version of a sketch I did during the winter months. I live in an old industrial area quite close to central Stockholm, it’s under development. I go for walks most days and I try to find beauty in what I see. It’s my quest right now. I want to avoid the pretty picture trap, some call them chocolate box – watercolours. Yes, I want to avoid that. I’m buying lots of old Lars Lerin books from the 80’s and 90’s, I think he captures the scandinavian everyday so well.
Title: Kvarnholmen in winter. 37 x 27 cm
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Sketching my emotions Nr.7
I bought a ukulele last August. I’m hooked. Everytime I want to take a break from painting I pick up my ukulele.
The last of the winter sun
I painted this last week. Spent a day on Gålö. So relaxing even if it was a little on the cold side.
This is the 3rd emotion I have painted in this little series that has the potential to keep going for a while. Next week I will have to start painting my happier feelings – this little project could become very depressing otherwise.
Winter in the Stockholm suburbs
Yeap, it’s nice to known that spring is very close. We just have to have an average of plus degrees for 10 consecutive days. Looking forward to feeling good and sketching outdoors almost manically because I so do appreciate feeling good after the long winter months.
Crazy to think it was so cold just a short time ago. Most of the snow has melted now. I long to get out and start sketching for real. Soon, very soon.
Svindersviken 18 x 13 cm
I was out for a walk last week when I saw an abandoned Volvo by the side of the road. I took some photos for reference and painted this watercolour yesterday. I am very happy with it because I am trying to create interesting compositions from everyday, mundane life. I want to avoid the cliches that litter watercolour groups all over the net. My main source of inspiration at the moment is Lars Lerin, he is so good at capturing everyday moments with a wee touch of Swedish melancholy.
I can feel new energy slowly seeping into me now after the long winter months, I am becoming productive, it feels good to be painting landscapes again.
Title: Spring is on it’s way. 36 x 26 cm
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