Happy New Year!!

Micron pen on sketch paper

This was sketched straight onto the paper in pen - took a bit over an hour. One wouldn't want to build a tractor from this sketch as its innards are very inaccurately depicted and positioned.

After Christmas, we enjoyed spending a relaxing few days in the fishing town of Cervantes.  As well as being a great place for swimming in calm waters, the sheltered bay with its naturally compacted beach sand makes for excellent boat launching conditions. There is no queuing for launching ramps as the whole bay is at the boat launcher's disposal. In the mornings, old tractors jostle alongside modern four-wheel-drives to dispense boats from their trailers in the shallows. Most of the boats had already headed out to sea by the time I arrived at 7.30 in the morning. The weather was perfect for mooching along in the shallows and taking photos .
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I was stunned by the beautiful patterns the light made in the shallow little waves that were lapping on the sand.

 

 

I love the country-town feel of the sandy paths leading from the beach back to the streets. This one led to the caravan park.

 

Late in the afternoon I enjoyed watching the pink and grey galahs milling around in the driveway and decorating the power lines.

 

 

 

Over the past month or so I have been learning how to propagate native plants from cuttings one day a week with the Wildflower Society. During our morning tea breaks I grab one of the successful plants that is now for sale and sketch it. Below are two examples.

 

 

I had intended to paint them when I got home - but somehow I feared spoiling them. I did eventually colour the top one but felt I'd ruined it so I was pleased that I'd photographed it beforehand. I had also intended to paint the tractor sketch but I quite like it left in black and white.

I'm hoping to get back to my acrylics next year.

 

 Speaking of next year - tomorrow - I would like to wish everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!! May it be joyful, healthy and creative!!