Categories
Sketch Watercolour

The importance of a sketchbook

A small painting from my sketchbook. I usually do a quick watercolour to loosen up if I haven’t painted for a while.

A watercolour horse sketch by David Meldrum
Horse sketch
Categories
akvarell watercolor Watercolour

Winter in Stockholm

I completed 90% of this painting a month or ever two months back, the last 10 % has taken a lot more time. I learned this from Chien Chung-Wei, he might spend two hours on a painting but the final 10% can take many more hours – days even.
Luckily for me the weather is so damn cold here in Stockholm that the snow doesn’t look out of place now that it is spring, it was snowing here today in fact. So, maybe I should rename this painting to, “Spring in Stockholm”. Only kidding, I do look forward to warmer weather though.

Painted on Arches rough 300g, 2017.04.25, 52 x 34 cm.
Click on the image below for a larger image.

Waterclour, Winter in Stockholm by David Meldrum
Winter in Stockholm
Categories
akvarell watercolor Watercolour

On my way to Brittany 

I travel to Brittany, France in June with my wife and two artist friends, I’m really looking forward to it. I painted this watercolour recently from a photo I took in 2014, the old trawler is missing it’s cabin these days, storms have taken their toll. I haven’t seen the old boat for a year, I wonder how much is left.

Painted on Arches rough 300g, 2017.04.14, 36 x 26.5 cm
View larger size by clicking the image below.

Trawler in Brittany by David Meldrum
Trawler in Brittany

 

Categories
figure drawing figure painting My Life Drawing Sketch Watercolour

Monday’s life drawing

I decided to figure paint, exciting when you only have 5 minutes or even worse, 2 minutes. Painted on Fabriano non-cotton paper, it was cheap and better than that nasty Canson paper. Cotton paper is too expensive because one uses so much during a 2 hour session.

Categories
figure drawing My Life Drawing Nudes Sketch Watercolour

Saturday’s life drawing 

I decided to try something different last Saturday, I used my old Chinese calligraphy pen, brand name “Hero” and I used watercolour pigment as a wash. I was pleased with the result although I think I will use my 2B pencil instead of the pen next time. The poses were 30 seconds, 1, 2 and 5 minutes long. Painted on cheap watercolour paper, Calson 200g A4.

 

Categories
Sketch Watercolour

My Sketchbook

I’ve started a new Sketchbook. I find it very useful when I take breaks from the watercolours that I am producing for my upcoming exhibition. To be able to just relax and sketch whatever for an hour is so beneficial when one is under pressure. I now start each artist day with a watercolour sketch to get me into the groove of painting.

Format: Moleskin 29.5 x 20.5 cm

Click the image below is you want to see a larger version.

Watercolour by David Meldrum
Watercolour by David Meldrum

 

Categories
urban sketching Watercolour

Urban sketching at Stockholm Central Station

I forgot to publish this, I met with my Stockholm Urbansketcher friends at the Central Station on the 26th of February. We had great fun sketching,  enjoying a chat and a coffee.

 

Categories
Watercolour

Wide format does not impress

This painting is pretty cool I think. In real life it has impact but when it is published on the web it looses its power due to the wide format. It become small and hard so see detail, a 4 by 3 format suits Facebook and Google + so much better.
Anyway, I like this watercolour, it’s not my normal style, I don’t wish to continue on this route either, I want to be more like Chein Chung-Wei when I grow up 😉

Please click the image below if you would like to see a larger image.

watercolour by david meldrum
watercolour by david meldrum

 

Categories
Watercolour

Summer in the archipelago 

Summer is coming soon, well I would at least like to think so. Looking forward to it when it does arrive. I am very happy with these wide scene formats I have been painting recently but they do present a problem, they look very small when I present them on Facebook or even here on my website. It’s a pity because they look real good framed and hanging on the wall. I am considering just showing a 4 by 3 version, cropping the watercolour to suit social media. Instagram is even worse, it is square!
Format: 37 x 12.5 cm

Click image below to see larger version.

Sailing in summer
Sailing in summer