Sam Grumont

A study of the canola fields at Glengower. Trying to convey the wide expanse of this area heading towards Ballarat which is very different from travelling to Ballarat through the rain forest at Daylesford.

Painted on hot press paper for this one.

Pat often complains, in a fun way, that when she gets the paper to read it has drawings all over the article.

We have been watching White-winged Choughs return to a mud nest they built last year and hatching young birds.
They build large mud nests and have a complex social structure, with young birds taking a long time to mature and then helping to raise the next generation.

Saturday morning playing with conte crayon and watercolour.

Life drawing - quick pose (2min) - sanguine conte crayon on newsprint. I prefer the quick poses as they are more dynamic and you can get a gestural, expressive feel with the drawing. That’s my idea anyhow.

Gongbi is a traditional Chinese painting style characterized by meticulous, realist, and highly detailed brushwork. The term "gongbi" translates to "skillful brush" and involves first outlining with ultra-fine brushes, followed by applying multiple, carefully applied layers of ink and color.

Do you think so

?

Thanks Ellen.

Study for early morning from Kalimna looking over Moonlight Flat. Cold press paper - ultramarine blue, raw umber.

Friday brushwork of leaves from Kalimna.

Nan River, Thailand. The small boats are long rectangles with flat bows and sterns. I watched them early morning rowing across the river. Some have outboard motors, I think. I didn’t see any of these. A peaceful scene.

Raw umber, permanent orange & van dyke brown.

That’s good to read Pam. I really like it.

Nan, River, Thailand. We recently spent time in Nan with @duangtengtrirat , who organised a wonderful two weeks experience of food, cooking, culture and conviviality. Watercolour using raw umber and van dyke brown.

Today’s eucalyptus leaves from Kalimna bushland.

First leaf watercolour since returning from Thailand. Raw umber and Van Dyke Brown.

Airport sketch, Bangkok on the way to Nan, Thailand.

Could be Ellen. Depends on the amount of water etc. That’s usually the problem I have.

That looks really good Ellen.

An enjoyable day wandering through the Shepparton Art Museum.

Yesterday at the Shepparton Art Museum @sam_shepparton to see the Brett Whitely Exhibition. I loved the gestural drawing of a young wren bathing. I sketched it using a fountain pen. Really enjoyed the exhibition and our second visit to the museum with Pat, Alison and Claire.

Once a month I drive to Ballarat to have fun drawing with a Sketchclub organised by @annelangdon. Last Monday we had a focus on scribble drawing, (for want of a more descriptive term), and a response to a poem. For the drawings I usually use either a fountain pen or ballpoint.

I particularly like the raised little finger Ellen.

Oh, what leaves does the fair Patricia Joan select from the ground for me to paint.

Thanks Ellen.

Birds in flight. A few washes with this watercolour and I wasn’t sure I should stop but here we are.

A rewarding activity Ellen. Sounds like you enjoyed the day.

The paint takes longer to dry and is easier to rework and it give a bit more of a shine.

As usual leaves collected from the ground in Kalimna bushland by Patricia Joan for me to paint. On @st.cuthberts.mill hot press paper and I experimented with adding a few drops of gum Arabic to the paint mix.

A watercolour study of a eucalyptus tree nearby. I enjoyed paint this and had to tell myself to stop as I knew I was about to overdo it. Something that has happened all too frequently.

I thought you would enjoy seeing the sisters. Don’t cross the sisters - blood is thicker than partners.