Anders Zorn

One of my favorite painters is the Swedish master Anders Zorn.  So I was thrilled to have the chance to see some of his most famous works yesterday at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco yesterday. I loved how his portraiture really seemed to capture the character of his subjects.  Zorn's watercolor composition and technique draw the viewer into the scene and his paintings of Swedish village life are filled with movement and energy.  He also was inspired by Rembrandt to create some beautiful etchings.  I made an attempt to copy his watercolor painting, Reveille, boulevard Clichy in ink.  I struggled to render the form and keep the values balanced.

Rinaldo and Armida

One of the best ways to improve your drawing skills is to practice by copying works of great artists.  I've been having fun with my new Lamy fountain pen and decided to sketch this famous painting by Nicolas Poussin.  In this painting, Rinaldo is a soldier during the first crusades who is held as a lovesick prisoner of Armida until his comrades remind him of his mission.

An abandoned boat

Sometimes it's fun to sketch in ink.  This boat had some interesting shapes and values.