Friday, April 6, 2007

The elegant fences of the countryside

The countryside provides a wealth of "elegant" fences...
I took Robyn(http://havedogswilltravel.blogspot.com/ ), up on her suggestion a previous time, and did these sketches on site with a water soluble pen and 2 waterbrushes and my moleskin, along with nerves of steel(for standing right on the edge of the narrow French countryroads) and a pretence(so I would at least give the impression that I know what I'm doing) and chewing gum - that is for the nerves and the pretence...


20 comments:

Deborah said...

Once again a lovely little series of fences. They all look like cool breezy days but you have given them a real softness.

Anonymous said...

These are such fun - interesting fences and nice loose sketches.

Lin said...

AWESOME!!! I LOVE THE BITS OF DETAIL YOU PUT IN IT -- AND THE SHADING IS TERRIFIC!

Judybec said...

You're makin me want to get out and try the pen, brush and water plein air thing too! Nice atmosphere in your work....each of your fences seems to tell a story.

Carole said...

I could use some of these in my project! I really like these lively sketches. They inspire me to try and loosen up a bit! Great stuff.

Teri said...

You are spoiling us...I love all your little answers to a challenge. Each one of these is wonderful!!

jill said...

fantastic job. amazing how interesting an old fence can be and how truly beautiful when done well. i really liked these!

caseytoussaint said...

Ronell, these are exceptional. And I know how utterly terrifying it can be to stand on a country road in France. Your sketching style is so free and expressive.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Thank you for all the comments, I really appreciate them!

Bec...You should give the plein air etc. a go, you'll get hooked and there is a very special satisfaction in looking back at your sketch and remembering the experience.I'm looking forward to seeing yours soon!

Carole, your latest landscape/fence is already a nice lively and loose sketch!

Thanks!
Ronell

Lindsay said...

These are completely CHARMING! I love every one of them. You make them look as if they were done in color with the beautiful grays.

mARTa said...

oh Ronell, they are all wonderful. I love your sketches and would love to sit with you and Casey and sketch sometime!! If only we didn't have an ocean between us!

Robyn Sinclair said...

I'd just like to clarify that I did NOT suggest you stand on the edge of narrow French roads, Ronell! You must have nerves of steel. Your fences are full of atmosphere and that tone looks very classy.
I'm grinning from ear to ear, from getting a personal mention in your blog. Thank you :)

platitudinal said...

To Ronell whose nerves are made of steel,

I admire how you can produce such lovely sketches under strenuous circumstance. I especially love how the lines seem so lively and lithe … they told us a tale of how your pen and brushes danced deftly on the paper.

*Many thanks for the chewing gum tip!

Emma Pod said...

I like your somewhat dilapidated fences! Each one has such good tonal values and they evoke the countryside. I think the gum-chewing was a good trick to give you courage and fortitude.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Thank you for the comments, everyone!

Marta..oceans, in my opinion, are there to be crossed! So, cross it and come visit for a 3 nights or so(I have more than enough room) and we can sketch whatever stands still long enough to give us a line and a color!

My pleasure to you, Robyn, after all, it was your idea that roamed in my thoughts when I set out to do this challenge.

And, I actually hate chewing gum, apart from it being groase seeing someone chew constantly and stepping in it in the streets, it hurts my jaw!
Ronell

Sandy said...

Each fence study is very interesting, and quite intriguing - you found unique subjects. Bravo!

Linda said...

Great studies! I particularly like the top one -- although I'm having a hard time imagining what it would have been like standing on the side of a narrow road with no shoulder to draw! You get points for bravery!

Jana Bouc said...

Charming sketches and fun to picture you there chewing gum trying to look confident. I like the way you've suggested detail in a painterly way.

Anonymous said...

I simply adore these dramatic fences. I like this "organized mess" that comes with it in your compositions.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

These are fabulous studies. Really nice indeed. I think the new pen has worked well. They actually make me want to get out and do this challenge. The top one is my fave!