Sketchbook Snapshot, October
First day back in the studio after a break.
It’s been about three weeks since my last studio session, so thought I’d ease back into the routine with some low-stakes, loose-goosy, watercolor thumbnails (right hand page). When I was in the hospital weekend before last, it was simply amazing to watch how fast the aspen leaves were turning up on the Sangres. Especially that last morning while I was awaiting discharge, the gold simply intensified and grew hour to hour. The lower thumbnail is based on a snapshot taken in Moab in 2021, when the cottonwoods were at their most golden. This one might be the source for a more finished painting.
I find the act of drawing, no matter how loosely, intensifies memory. It’s like developing a kinesthetic muscle-memory that you just can’t get from tapping the button on the phone camera.
Gorgeous notebook Wren! Beautiful colours, I love the colour testing & annotations too - it really shows your process.
I completely agree with you on drawing and memory - I've been trying to use my phone less and a little pocket notebook but it's really hard. It deceptively feels like I'll capture more visual information with my phone but that key piece about memory and processing what you're seeing is missing so it just doesn't work.
Beautiful work! I love using watercolors and a sketchbook like this - I find it so healing 🎨💖