Chimney pots and windows at the back of Camden Road in Bath, sketched from the road above, while leaning on a high wall (in the foreground bottom left). It’s another view of Bath where the chaotic backs of the buildings are more interesting than the neater fronts. As in a previous post I’ve included the original fountain pen drawing (which I had to stop when rain started) with the initial pencil grid guidelines established using an acetate grid. Then the intermediate grisaille version where I added a Lexington grey ink wash for the main shading. The acetate grid was useful in getting the complicated perspective and proportions right, establishing a sound skeleton for the rest of the sketch.
Pencil, Lexington grey in fountain pen and water-brush, water-colour, A5 – 1 hour
And here’s a lovely loose water-colour sketch by Rowena, who emailed me about ways to get composition right in a landscape sketch. I suggested using some kind of acetate grid, she made one out of the top of Christmas cracker box, and this is her excellent first attempt at an outdoor scene! The eye is drawn down the path, but also out into the sunlit grass.
Mostly drawing 
Thanks Ed it was great advice! Using the grid has actually helped increase the general accuracy of my drawing ( i.e. without the grid). It has challenged my perception of where things are and made me look more accurately. Thanks again!
Hi Rowena, glad the grid’s both useful, and also needed less! Ed
I’ve only just discovered your excellent blog , most of the blogs I follow are form abroad so it’s nice to know that there are other people sketching and blogging about it in the UK.
I really like this picture of the backs of the houses and was very interested to see the stages of your painting .I struggle to paint buildings because the lines end up wonky( I find hills easier) , using a grid is a great idea.
Thanks Mark, I like the balance you’ve got in your running/sketching blog, food for body and spirit! And I’m jealous of your vast mountain scenery, if not the midges that I remember from childhood… Did you see this programme about the Cairngorms last month? http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04tqk1n Ed
Yes, I lived in Aberdeenshire for many years and the Cairngorms were close by, I used to spend all my spare weekends exploring the mountains often sleeping out,under a rock or during the winter in bothies . Happy days ! I’m currently reading the book by Nan Shepherd featured in the programme.
Great post on cafe sketching by the way.
Mark.
Thanks Mark. Sleeping out under the stars in the Cairngorms sounds glorious, Ed
Cool stuff.
Thanks Daniel
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