Painting in Amsterdam

Our return trip to The Netherlands was primarily to paint in Amsterdam with a group of 12,  sponsored by Workshops in Yorkshire. (Rosemary Brushes)

Of course April was tulip season and they were blooming everywhere indoors and out, and Spring was sparkling. The city is a grid of canals and packed with bicycles, cafes and art. We spent time in the Rijksmuseum, VanGogh Museum and Rembrandt's House. City Parks, Tulip gardens and an outing to the Rembrandt Paint factory with a behind the scenes tour filled the days between paint times. 4 finished paintings, two sketchbooks of watercolor and ink and a camera packed with images completed our 12 day trip. I cannot imagine a better planned and organized trip.  My memories and images are precious.

Hortus Botanicus

6' Below Sea Level 

Keukenhof Tulip Garden

No Parking

 

What is Urban Sketching?

I don't always have time or materials to complete paintings when I am inspired by a location. Fortunately, I always carry a mini sketchbook and pen. 

Urban sketchers are a formal group that may meet or work independently to capture a location, usually with drawing materials. Sometimes these are long works, others are quick sketches and often contain notes on their location, or other comments the artist makes. 

I'm not sure if I am an actual Urban Sketcher Artist, but these are a few recent urban sketches from my mini notebook. It is a great way to experience a place and create memories. And it is amazing how many mini notebooks I have filled with drawings.

Waiting for dinner in Amsterdam, April 2024

From the harbor in Antwerp October 2023

Another Antwerp view

Hoorn Harbor, Netherlands October 2023

Shanty Choir in Kvasir

Lockport NY Train station ruins 2023

Botanical Gardens, February 2023

England and Wales continued

 One of the fantastic artists at Workshops in Yorkshire invited me to stay at her home at the end of our week. I hesitated but I was assured she would get me to Manchester airport in a few days. 

I am so glad I accepted the invitation, as Liz's extended family, lovely historic stone home and spectacular location were the best part of my UK experience. It turns out I was now in Wales with her and I found subtle differences with more beautiful views and enjoyed every minute. This involved a lot of driving and I am in her debt for a wonderful time; we painted, had some lovely excursions, went to a surprise birthday party (everyone was incredibly nice) and ate wonderfully.

One of my nearly completed workshop paintings is of a climbing 'Sylvia Rose'. I met a lovely young girl whose name happened to also be Sylvia Rose and she was thrilled to pose with my painting. We visited in a large covered area with sunshine streaming around us, sheep bleating nearby while her grandfather (?) played the guitar and sang a song written by his son followed by a song by Sylvia. She was charming and confident, ready to start back to school soon. It was delightful and memorable, life and new friendships are so good.