Tag Archives: France

Pasture by the River

A small river can be very relaxing, especially if there are a few cattle grazing in the distance in a pasture on the opposite bank. This pencil drawing is a preliminary sketch for a possible painting. A quick colored pencil sketch is a great way to capture the moment, or key aspects, for later reference in the studio. But in this case, my sketch is not done so quickly; it’s more “finished,” which allows me to better understand how I might best approach the painting.

$60 – Buy on Daily Paintworks

Hazy Day Statue

I spent a fine morning at Vaux-le-Vicomte, the château of Nicolas Fouquet, Marquis de Belle Île, Viscount of Melun and Vaux. The great estate has magnificent gardens and statues. I was drawn to this statue, where a light early morning fog seemed to enhance the distance. This colored pencil sketch is a preliminary for a possible painting, and allowed me to explore the hues, soft morning light, and values of the view. As a preliminary sketch, there are flaws, available as is.

$45 – Buy on DailyPaintworks.com

Trees Along the Banks of the Saône

Silverpoint drawing of trees along the Saone river in France

A silverpoint drawing of trees along banks of the Saône

Creatively planted and groomed copses, such as this one, are spaced at intervals along the banks of the Saône river in France. I made a sketch of this one late one morning in the fall.

I’ve drawn this image from my original sketch using a medieval drawing technique called silverpoint (or metalpoint). The method flourished during the Renaissance, but was obsolete by the 18th century; graphite had become the preferred medium.

Light reflecting off silverpoint drawing.

This drawing is done entirely by dragging metals across the gessoed surface producing a light gray tone. Darker values are achieved by going over areas several times. For drawing tools, I used what I had handy—a brass belt buckle, gold and silver jewelry, a sliver-plated spoon, and a cast bronze belt buckle. Because the image is drawn entirely with metal, it reflects light when viewed from various angles (as shown here).

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Paris Street Singer

“Paris Street Singer” Acrylic on MDF, 4″ x 4″

This street entertainer is well known all over Paris. He plays a barrel organ and sings (bal-musette, I’m told). I met him on Rue Cler.

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Greek Fisherman’s Cap

“Greek Fisherman’s Cap” Acrylic on MDF, 5″ x 7″

I realized, suddenly, that I’d lost my cap! I’d enjoyed lunch a few hours earlier at a restaurant on Rue Cler, in Paris, and after I checking everywhere, I finally decided I must have left it in the restaurant. I went back and in very broken French, I asked the maitre d’ if he had come across my cap after I’d left. He gestured for me to “wait here.” In a moment, he returned, with a waiter and the chef. The chef, between the other two, was holding my cap in both hands, and as he handed it to me, he bowed slightly, saying, “Here is your hat, captain!” And they all 3 saluted me. Well, I had to stay for dinner there, you know? (I no longer smoke, but the pipe goes back to the ’70s when I first tried to quit cigarettes.)

$100 – Buy on DailyPaintworks.com