Yes, I promised to share my list of the smaller, everyday “treasures” that make my summer, but I’ll have to postpone that until the very end of summer. Right now, I’m determined to give myself a rejuvenating break — two weeks, possibly three, haven’t decided yet — and before I do that, I want to post my July reading.
So, I’m turning to my sketchbooks and travel journal for this week’s post. Hope that’s okay with you. . .
You may have seen my Instagram post referring to an online workshop I took recently, Lucia Leyfield’s Travel Illustration: Doors and Windows. The sketch featured in that post was done on scrap paper, but I’ve gone on since to add some doors and windows to my watercolour sketchbook, using travel photos for inspiration.
Here’s one of those:
A few more photos from the windows of this Agriturismo can be found in this Instagram post. At the time I was taking these photos, you might remember, I was keeping my sprained ankle elevated and glad for these views to distract me, disappointed as I was at not being able to continue our walk on the Via Francigena.
As it happens, we’re going back to try again this fall, albeit on a new section of the VF. Meanwhile, I’ve been reviewing my photos and rereading my travel journal.
Here’s an excerpt:
Our driver dropped us off about 8:30 (way too early for check-in, we knew, but my sprained ankle meant we had to travel with the luggage transport) — he was concerned about leaving us and wanted to knock, but we reassured him that it was okay. . . (in Italian, his English was very limited)
. . . and just then our lovely host, Elena, came around the corner — our driver introduced himself, explained the situation, she showed us where we could wait (a picnic table, sunshine, perfect!).
He drove off with our good wishes and we marvelled at our good fortune — stunning location, hilltop with sweeping 360 view of Val d’Orcia hills. Elena pointed out Rocca d’Orcia and Castiglione d’Orcia on a distant hilltop. Paul walked to these once I was settled in our rooms — about 10:30. The building we were in was built in the 14th century (did I get that right?) by the same family that built Rocca and Castiglione.
Here’s a little sketch made while waiting at that picnic table in the sunshine. . . no, the cat was not draped over the roof of the house, but kept “sketch-bombing” so I simply super-imposed her. Artistic licence 😉
I don’t often draw on the lined pages of my travel notebook, but I always appreciate the visual reminder — and the whole process of sketching, the observation and concentration, means that the sketch brings the scene back to all the senses. I can feel that morning-crisp April air, the texture of the wooden picnic-table, I hear the birds again (so much birdsong, the hedges thrumming with their conversations), smell the lilacs and the wallflowers. . . .
The light changed so many times over the course of that day, and the clouds as well — this calm wreathing of morning mist yielded to thunderhead clouds by late afternoon, and those in turn (after a dramatic show of lightning) gave way to let the sunset take the stage. . . .
Another little sketch, just before our room was ready for us (generously, a good few hours before the normal check-in). I might have intended to go back and add colour to the house, but never got that done and it’s unlikely I’ll bother now. . .
And that’s all the post I managed before our dinner guest arrived last night. . .
This morning I have an early appointment at a medical lab for routine testing after my annual physical, so I will post this quickly now and hope it finds you all well.
xo,
Frances
So glad that you’re going to have another go at the Via Francigena! Can’t wait to read all about it.
Author
Thanks for the encouragement!
Frances, your travel sketches continue to inspire me to do my own sketches and drawings every time that I travel. My husband and I have a trip coming up in two weeks–we’ll drive from our summer rental in Corvallis, OR to Calgary, Alberta for a group tandem tour of the nearby Rockies. There will be some hikes at certain places too. I am very excited (and also a bit intimidated) by this adventure. Since the tour organizers schlep our personal belongings as we move along, I can include my sketching materials easily, and sketch from memory or photos after the day’s ride.
I think I might have previously shared that I started doing travel sketches a few years ago, when we traveled with friends through the amazing national parks of Utah–and it turned out that two weeks before this long planned trip I had to have a torn meniscus repaired, and was on crutches the entire journey. So lots of sitting while others hiked. Once I could go for some shorter “walks” on those crutches, I managed to carry my drawing materials in a bag slung over my shoulder, and had so much drawing the magnificent natural arches and other rock formations.
I am glad you are already planning a new wonderful trip for this fall!
Author
So you’ll be on tandem bikes, cycling through the Rockies? Very exciting (and yes, I can imagine being a bit intimidated, but still, Cool!!) . I’m sure you’ll sketch up some great memories of those impressive landscapes. I do remember you commenting here about that knee injury — and how great it was that you could reconcile yourself to it somewhat through your sketching. Happy if I’ve played any small part in getting your sketches on paper! Curious to know if you show those to others travelling along and if any were then inspired to follow your example. . .
I have shared my drawings with my husband and the friends we have traveled with, but so far, none are inspired to follow my example! But almost none of them are artistically inclined, so it is not surprising perhaps? I know one doesn’t have to consider oneself an artist to play with art media, but I think it doesn’t occur to most people to try. Maybe I should encourage them!
I actually have a very clear memory of the morning I gathered my neighbor friends in my bedroom, sat them in a circle on the floor, and gave them a lesson on how to draw a horse. I was 8 years old. I had decided a year before that I would grow up to be an artist–also a clear memory. In fact, these experiences were a glimpse of my future; I grew up to up to be a teacher who rooted her work in art, mostly working in Waldorf education.
Author
I think so many of us are discouraged very early on from thinking that we can express ourselves (or even find joy) in drawing or painting. If only there were more children’s art teachers like yourself!
Lovely post and lovely sketches. You make an excellent point about the act of sketching helping to retain all the sensory memories of the moment. I liked this shorter post, a little ray of sunshine!
Author
Thanks for the encouragement, Wendy! I’m pleased you enjoyed the post.
Beautiful photographs of those hills and the mist! The light is stunning. The sketches are wonderful reminders of your trip and can transport us to the places you traveled.
It sounds like you have a lot to look forward to in the fall. A workshop in Paris and another trip to Italy. So glad that you have the chance to try another walk on the Via Francigena.
I like the idea of sketching windows and doors. Not only can they be architecturally interesting, they might also provide entrance (or exit) into interesting worlds.
Author
Thanks, Dottie! It’s true, the fall is beckoning — and I suppose that’s what sketches of windows and doors do as well, beckon us with the idea of what lies on their other side. . . .what other interesting vistas or even worlds there might be. . .
Many years ago we were on the island of Rhodes where we bought a poster of the doors of Rhodes , about two dozen of them , charcoal sketches I think . We had it framed & it was on our kitchen wall for a long time until it was so shabby it had to go . I loved that poster as it took me right back to the little side streets of Greece . Your sketches are even more special as you did them yourself . I’m glad you’ve decided to tackle the walk again , I think we all felt we missed out there !
Enjoy your break & save up lots to tell us .
Author
I can almost picture that poster (although I’ve never been to Rhodes — nor Greece, for that matter!). . . and it puts me in mind of a few I’ve loved and eventually had to take down in deference to fading and general shabbiness. . .
I’m alternately excited and looking forward to the walk and then hit a patch of anxiety about it. Mostly the former and I’m appreciative of the encouragement here. Thanks!
Hi Frances,
Long time, no responses from me to your thought-provoking posts but I’m reading them with great pleasure! I seem to need to sit with them for a while and then other stuff gets in the way and then a new post has set me off thinking again!
Anyway, love your sketches and I’m so happy to hear you’re doing another leg of the VF.
We’re also planning to do the Italian VF (next year) so I’ll be really looking forward to hearing about your adventures! Xx
Author
Hi Genevieve, Pleased to hear you’ve been reading and enjoying the posts — no need to comment on each one, of course, just glad to have you here.
I remember you commenting that you’re planning to do that Italian VF, and I’ll want to hear more about that! Have you decided which sections or are you going to do the whole Italian section (a commitment!)? We expect we’ll be doing more of it next year as well. Fingers crossed!
We’re planning to do the whole of it! Of course I’m saying that with fingers firmly crossed. We hope to book it in early next month and are planning it for late June.
Impressionistic, sincere and authentic…what a brilliant description of your sketches!
Author
Wow! That’s very cool! We’re hoping to spend more time at/on it next year, but not sure we’ll try for the whole thing!
I love your sketches,so impressionistic,sincere and authentic.
Bravi for your autumn walking plans!
Dottoressa
Author
Aw, thanks K! I love that description of my sketches. I don’t know that I would/could have articulated it like that, but that probably is my goal for each one.
There must be a particular pleasure in capturing the essence of what you see in a sketch, as opposed to a photo. So much more personal. Alas, it’s a skill I lack, so I will enjoy yours instead. Wonderful that you’re going back for another VF instalment – I look forward to reading. Your Agroturismo looks beautiful. It is such a good concept. We stayed in one in Austria for a skiing holiday and really enjoyed it – even the bit where the farmer, mistaking for rubbish the bag of laundry my daughter had left for the farmer’s wife (who had offered to wash clothes for us), threw it in the furnace. Not as serious as it sounds, as it basically consisted of daughter’s school uniform thick winter tights that she was wearing as thermals.
Author
Well, never say never . . . I was 50 and firmly convinced I lacked any ability . . . which may still be very true, but enjoying the process is enough for me, now, and I have learned a few tricks, picked up some skill through practice.
Yikes to the burned laundry!
How wonderful that you will be doing this again. Reading this post made me so aware if the rapid passage of time. It seems you were just there and now plans for another season. And such a good point about the sketching helping preserve the memories.
Author
To be fair, I was just there! But given the rapid passage of time and the significance this challenge had taken on for me, it felt important to get back on that route. . . Crossing my fingers I’ll manage better this time ’round.