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| 4/11/15 Iroshizuku Take-sumi and Diamine Grey inks, Stillman & Birn Epsilon sketchbook (sketched from photo) |
In a little over one month, I’ll be in France. I know some
sketchers deliberately avoid iconic structures and landmarks, either fearing
that their sketches will never live up to the image in their minds or the ones
that have over-saturated the media or simply poo-pooing clichéd images that can
easily be found on a postcard. I’m here to tell you right now that I have no problem with sketching the world-recognized,
overly depicted, iconic Eiffel Tower! In fact, I have every intention of
spending a significant portion of my four days in Paris doing nothing but
sketching it. That doesn’t mean, however, that I’m not intimidated by its
classically symmetrical form and its intricate pattern of iron latticework. Just
the thought of standing in its shadow, sketchbook in hand, makes me a bit
shaky!
Yesterday Peggy and I were chatting about our upcoming respective travel plans. In prep for travel
sketching, she said she will sometimes look at photos of her destination and
make sketches of challenging subjects or motifs ahead of time to “warm up” her sketchbook,
making it less intimidating when she’s actually on location. I know that Liz Steel, too, with her keen interest
in architecture, mentally prepares for travel by sketching from photos of the
particular architectural styles she will encounter.
What a great idea! My conversation with Peggy was just what
I needed to gear up for Paris in a more fun and productive way than, say, studying
my Rick Steves French phrase book (I
can always learn French on the flight out there, right?). Googling images of La
tour Eiffel, I printed out a few to closely examine its form. Studying its
proportions for even a few minutes was immensely helpful, and the criss-crossed
ironwork isn’t nearly as complicated as it seems if you just break it down into
components. After just one practice sketch, I already feel more confident about
standing in the Champ de Mars next month, gazing up at that amazing structure.
That is a great idea!! I didn't do that before I went to Paris and was really intimidated by the structure of it. I think I ended up doing just one sketch (very tiny) of it. lol There was too much else to sketch. Have you been to Paris before, or is this the first time?
ReplyDeleteIt'll be my first time in France, Joan! I'm very excited! :-)
DeleteNice warm-up! You are going to have a great time sketching Paris. Can't wait to see the results and hear of your adventures!
ReplyDeleteGood idea. And good sketch of the tower! Hold on to your valuables... my husband had is passport stolen one trip and I had money taken right out of the purse hanging messenger bag style across body!
ReplyDeleteNice sketch. Good luck with learning French on the flight over. I still struggle with it daily :-)
ReplyDeleteCheers --- Larry
Nice sketch. Good luck with learning French on the flight over. I still struggle with it daily :-)
ReplyDeleteCheers --- Larry