I often take photos that appeal to the artist in me when out walking. Clouds are a particular favourite of mine to draw or paint and I have sketched them many times using various mediums. A couple of weeks ago the clouds were dark, low-hanging, and extremely threatening, but to look at, they were spectacular. I decided to wave aside any qualms about attempting to sketch clouds which were almost black, and yesterday grabbed a watercolour pad and got stuck in. I sketched the outline of the whole scene quickly, using a dark water-soluble graphite pencil. With a size six watercolour brush I wiped water through some of the pigment edging the clouds and left the work to dry.

Then, I applied some Light Sky Blue aquarelle pencil between gaps in the cloud, and did the same with Prussian blue lower down. I pulled water through these parts and left it to one side to dry. I chose indelible ink pen size 0.3 to outline the city view and quickly sketched this in. Beneath this view I drew a thick line from left to right using aquarelle Night Green, and added more of the same colour for the sea. I also applied a light layer of permanent Green Olive on top. Next, I drew water through, going left to right, then top to bottom loading up the brush. I then dissolved some olive and viridian watercolour with Paynes Grey, and brushed this across the sea while the paper was still wet. Currently the pad is sitting in front a heater to dry thoroughly before I begin my final touches. No more water, but some erasing to bring up the white highlights in places, and the application of an olive green colour pencil to help correct the tone and texture in the sea.

I love creating an image using different mediums. This is my happy, peaceful place to be. See you soon, with more on sketching.