After seeing pictures of the Leaning Tower all my life and reading about it in guidebooks, I was expecting it to be nothing more than a gaudy tourist trap. Suzie and I felt obligated to see it. After all, we were in Pisa, and our hotel was only two blocks away from it. So in […]
Category: Sketchbook Journaling
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 15 (From Cinque Terre to Pisa)
I squeezed in one last sketch of the harbor at Manarola on our last morning in Cinque Terre… 10″ x 7″, ink & watercolor in Stillman & Birn Beta series sketchbook I used the angled fence of the pedestrian walkway to create a unique lower border on the sketch, and extended the fishing boats out […]
Some Things I Learned…
I had saved a blank page in my travel journal to add another sketch of Cinque Terre after I returned home, but later changed my mind and decided to do a page about all the things I learned about Italy during my trip. I had read lots of guidebooks before the trip and watched videos […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 15 (Scenes from Manarola)
We were only in Cinque Terre for about 24 hours, but it felt like much more, since we spent most of our time relaxing and pursuing the fine arts of ambling, meandering and wandering. The major sites to see there aren’t museums and cathedrals, but rather sparkling water, rugged cliffs, colorful houses, and terraced hillsides. […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 14 (Sunset in Cinque Terre)
Sunset in Cinque Terre…one of the most amazing scenes of the entire trip. 10″ x 7″ ink & watercolor in Stillman & Birn Beta series sketchbook. Sketched on location with Pigma Micron pen, black, and painted later at home. It seemed almost too beautiful and perfect to be real. The picture postcard village of Manarola […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 14 (Cinque Terre)
Our stay in Lucca was much too short. I’d love to go back there some day and have more time to explore the town. It’s always a challenge choosing where to go and what to see when vacation time is limited. I want to go everywhere and see everything! But you have to pick and […]
Sketchbook Journaling 101 at Summerhill Studio
Have you always wanted to learn how to sketch, but didn’t know where to begin? Have you longed to try painting with watercolors? Well, here’s your chance to get started… Sketchbook Journaling 101 8-week class Saturdays, April 5 through May 24, 2014 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm at Summerhill Studio Ruff Creek, PA Cost: $90.00 […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 13 (Lovely Lucca)
The wide city walls surrounding the Tuscan city of Lucca date to Renaissance times and are one of best reasons to visit. They’re perfect for walking a dog, riding a bike, or strolling hand-in-hand. When Suzy and I arrived in Lucca, it was late afternoon, and as soon as we dropped our bags at our […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Italy: Day 13 (Tuscan Wildflowers)
Springtime in Tuscany…what could be prettier? 10″ x 7″, ink & watercolor in Stillman & Birn Beta series sketchbook As we drove through the countryside on our way from San Gimignano to Lucca, the scenes we passed were enough to keep a constant smile on my face. Olive groves, vineyards, villas, and bright green hillsides […]
Sunday Sketches
I was feeling particularly happy this past Sunday as I bustled around the house, cleaning and cooking in preparation for a party that evening. 9″ x 12″, drawn with a Noodler’s Creaper Flex pen and Lexington Gray ink, with watercolor, in an Aquabee Super Deluxe sketchbook When I paused to eat breakfast and saw how […]
