Friday, June 16, 2006

Time to draw


My summer holidays has begun today, and my bike was waiting impatiently for me this morning to take it out on a ride. So I packed my brand new Moleskine Watercolor and the Lamy Safari pen and my new (or at least rebuilt) watercolor box (featured in a blogpost near you real soon) and let my red Peak take me downtown for some sushi, coffee and drawing. Lovely! I´ll be doing this a lot this summer. Well, maybe not the sushi, that would turn drawing into an expensive habit. The whole day was great, with sun, perfect temperature and nice views.

On my way home, I suddenly saw a fire hydrant in use for the first time ever, and since these thingies were on the EDM challenge list a few weeks ago, I had to draw it. We don´t have the cute above-ground models in Sweden, they are all hidden under the pavements here, with a neat little red sign on the nearest lamp post telling how far and in what direction you´ll find water. I had to hurry drawing it, though, because as soon as I had begun drawing, a lady (yeah, no fire fighters... how exciting is that?) came along with a huge heavy tool and turned it off. Two minutes later, she came back again and took the whole fire hydrant with her and walked off with it. The strangest things happen in this town...

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Vacation, Nita! Sounds like you have the plan all made out and ready to go sketching and painting this summer. I loved your story about the fire hydrants in Sweden. That is so cool!! Hiding things underground until you need them is great - IMO it makes the city tidier and nicer to look at. Have a great weekend, here on the west coast of Canada it's still Thursday afternoon.

Robyn said...

Luck girl to be on holidays! You are using that Moleskine to good effect. It will be a lovely memory book of your break. Keep up the good work. You will need a new book in no time.

Teri said...

Wonderful sketches Nina! I just got my WC Moleskine in the mail today. Can't wait to use it. You are such an inspiration. After I saw your sketch I had to order one immediately! Thanks and sounds like a wonderful summer ahead of you.

Karen Sandstrom said...

I love your building exteriors, Nina. Having done one today without a lot of satisfaction, it was great to see one so well-done. I wondered how you got the angle you did on the building, as if from a higher window. Or maybe you're just good at switching perspective in your mind's eye? Anyway, bravo. And enjoy your time.

seesue said...

Nina, your're embarking on a sketching holiday at home, how WONDERFUL! I'm excited looking forward to seeing your delightful w/c's.

Witness said...

Nina,
I love your stuff, but mostly, I appreciate your perseverance at drawing FREQUENTLY. Your sketchbooks entice me to keep doodling.
Keep on keeping on!
http:\\sketchpot.blogspot.com

Ger O'Rourke said...

Hi Nina, here's wishing you all the best for your holidays. I'm looking forward to seeing all your sketches. I have this image that your bike is leading you to different places on the holiday!

Alison said...

I love your streetscape - you have all the necessary detail eg shadows on the wall and no more - just right. Happy holidays

Jan Allsopp said...

Both are beautiful. Looks like you are liking the wc Moleskine.

Lindsay said...

Nina, I'm crazy about your work. and thanks for the "nerd" post from one nerd to another.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.