I have not felt like sketching much. The pressure of constantly churning out sketches for posting on Urban Sketchers and other websites became too much for me; what used to be a joy felt more and more like a chore— so I stopped. I was afraid I was drawing emptily, drawing without inspiration, drawing what I thought would be liked, rather than capturing what I like, in the way that I like. Add to this anxiety the lousy Istanbul winter we just passed through, and my sketchbooks grew a thin film of dust. I have done a few sketches here and there— quite a few in Vietnam, but I have kept them to myself. I don't know why exactly.
I have received a few emails from readers over the past several months, asking me where the sketches are. All I can say is please bear with me, they will come. I just need something to move. Being around fellow sketchers in Portugal was a great inspiration, and there was something in the light and soil there, something in the birdsong, which revived me.
At the Mina de São Domingos, I picked up my pen, and started to draw.
8 comments:
i love your sketches...but understand the need for a time out, share when you are ready....in the meantime, keep posting your fabulous photos :)
Thank you, Lisa— I'm glad you understand!
I would rather know you are happily sketching and never see another posted sketch....than to think something so dear to you has been reduced to a chore.
I love the photos too...Portugal has been a marvel before my eyes, but don't let 'us' steal those from you either.
Thank you so much, Charlin— I appreciate your kind words. The pressure is all mine, and I just needed a break.
The weather is lovely, and I am feeling the need to have picnics and start sketch again :)
I saw the first photograph and thought to myself that it was so sketchable, and going down your post I was delighted to see that you had produced a lovely sketch of it.
In sport there is a saying "form is temporary, class is permanent". Likewise in art, once you have the talent (which you undoubtedly have) the ink and colour will certainly flow again soon.
Thank you so much, Balaji.
It's coming back :)
Got my attention with your sketches of Minas de S. Domingos, a place I love and also all the other places you were in Portugal. You seemed to have catched some of the magic that I find ignored or even worst, abandoned by some of my countryman.
Thank you for your sketches and comments.
Wow— thank you very much, Saurium.
Minas de S. Domingos is such a special place, and I am glad you feel I captured it well.
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