West Prince’s Street Gardens, Winter – Dilute Indian Ink on a Regular Moleskine
This follows a lengthy discussion recently about getting colour to sit on the pages of a regular sketchbook. I had just about given up on trying to add tone to my original Moleskine when I discovered, by chance, that dilute Indian ink sits on the surface then granulates. I hope this might be of some interest to some of you. If the ink is applied by brush it can then be “smoothed” over larger areas.
This is the West Gardens in central Edinburgh. I suspect many folk will make use of the benches, donated in memory of departed loved ones, this year as Prince’s Street will be closed to traffic to make way for the new tramway system. Prince’s Street is up the hill on the right while Edinburgh Castle is just to the left of this scene. The gardens are home to hundreds of ravenous squirrels and pigeons which can get quite aggressive if not offered titbits. Visitors beware!
Sarah 12:10 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
This is beautiful. Truly beautiful. It has such a lightness about it. It says more than any palette of colours could. Love it.
trebor61 1:44 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
You are so kind Sarah. If you ever come up to Edinburgh, Margaret and I would be delighted to show you what the scene REALLY looks like. I would hope you would be able to recognise it from my wee sketch. Thank you for the kind comments.
BoboMonkey 2:30 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
looks like heaven in winter.
donna 2:37 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
Wow. I feel like I’m there… awesome
roseindigo 2:54 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
This is stunning. One can feel the “cold” and the “winter”, and bare trees are superb.
Rob Carey 4:59 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
Outstanding, Bob! What a beautiful scene.
Rudat 5:23 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
It is indeed beautiful. The perspective draws me into the scene.
bubblemunch 5:57 pm on January 17, 2009 | #
Thank you!!
BTW I think BoboMonkey’s comment is spot on!
I’ve only been to Edinburgh twice in my life – once as a child (have a photo of my sister and I stood by the guard at the castle) and in much later life (after a 12 hour train journey from Bournemouth!) on a “jolly” which encomassed a whistle stop tour taking in Loch Lomond, climbing Ben Lawer (in horizontal sleet/hail/snow!) among other spots. Highlight was the lodge at the end of the climb with a choice of tens of whiskies!
My over-riding childhood memory is of the smell of the ?hops? in the city?
Me and t’other half were only saying yesterday that we should venture up North again soon. I’m from York so used to Dales, Moors and the Lake District.
Fancy seeing the North West of Scotland/Isle of Skye.
Anyway, I’m burbling!
renefijten 2:23 am on January 18, 2009 | #
I was about write exactly the same words as roseindigo. Well done Trebor.
stephenjbell 10:14 pm on January 18, 2009 | #
I like this a lot. Very elegant.
trebor61 3:51 am on January 19, 2009 | #
Thank you all very much indeed. I am grateful for the time people take to comment on my efforts. This was just an experiment to see if I could use different tones with a Moly Sketchbook and your feedback has inspired me into trying some more, in the future.
You were right about Hops, Sarah. The brewery, in the Gorgie area (not far from Edinburgh’s centre) used to make the whole place reek of stale beer. A bit improved these days. If you visit the North West/Skye I’m sure you will be impressed with some magnificent scenery but find out about the “Midge Season” so that your visit is not ruined by these tenacious beasties. Sleet/hail/snow on Ben Lawers. Must have been summertime!
3lla 6:50 am on January 19, 2009 | #
Stunning!
Fantastic work Bob. I especially love the trees
trebor61 6:53 am on January 19, 2009 | #
Thanks 3lla. I’m so glad you like the trees. Trees are God’s special gift to us all.
Matt L 3:37 pm on January 22, 2009 | #
i like it a lot , it feels very airy and light.
trebor61 4:11 pm on January 22, 2009 | #
Good of you to say this, Matt. I appreciate your comment, Regards, Bob McDowall