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A look back at October in my sketchbook.



This month, my focus has been on street scenes and landscapes. I also like sketching while in my kitchen, it is the source of quite a few of my projects. I am sharing personal favorites from the month.

It is interesting to sketch outdoors in a city. I try and keep to myself but it is fun to get some human interaction, people like to peek in. One sketch I completed while conversing with an elderly man. He wanted to watch and talk about art ( the market scene below). It is a wonderful brain exercise!

I had some time while I was waiting for my daughter, it was her first day at driving school. I sketched this while waiting.






Autumn is for apples and I have been baking all of my favorite recipes. This a new recipe I tried, found in an old Martha Stewart Living magazine. I painted her picture from the magazine, mine was not quite as pretty.


 I love the color of this house with beautiful Bougainvillea plants growing over the fence. Perspective is harder in real life, something I am working on. I do bring a tiny children's ruler I keep in my supply box, it really helps.



 I attempted to capture the autumn light, which hits beautifully in the morning of my local market.


                                   Fishing boat on the beach.



 This is deep in the mountains. The mountain on the left has a cross on top to commemorate a painter who fell to his death, while painting.  I chose to paint below but I have been up there to see the view:it is amazing!  Again, the morning light is beautiful, I wish I could capture the beauty of God's work...the colors you find in real life are never the same when you see them in a photo.

Thanks for stopping by and peeking in!
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Comments

  1. You've had a fruitful month, Celia! I think that's one of the things I like best about sketching and using aquarella as a medium. You now have beautiful memories of those special moments. I love the house with bougainvillia and the top one on the corner. And I'll have a piece of that appetizing apple galette too.Have a good November month Celia! Hugs

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    1. I was surprised when I flipped back through the pages. Watercolor are easy to bring anywhere. Thank you for your supportive comment Helen, I hope the same for you!

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  2. Hi Celia, I really enjoyed seeing your sketchbook pages. Sketching is one thing I never do enough of and really should. Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you Carol, I am happy you like the post!

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  3. Oaky Celia My So Very Talented Watercolorist! You and your wonderful art just may be the catalyst I need to get me back to paint with watercolors! Just may do that right after this little comment! I so love your cityscapes! I know I write this over and over again but you certainly use watercolor the best way possible. Not only do I love the way you rendered the scenes but the paint itself is beautiful! Ahhh! So very, very nice for the eyes!
    Okay so be on the lookout for a small watercolor by me!
    Nice to picture painting in your kitchen. I am hoping there is something nice cooking on the stove or in the oven!!!
    Take care Celia!
    Your Lover Of Celia Blanco's Watercolors Art Buddy!
    Michael

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    1. I am blushing now!! I am holding you to your word! I still remember the beautiful paintings you did last year while on your cruise. I will be looking out for it on your blog.
      Thank you for your kind words, Michael, you know how to brighten my day!

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    2. Hey Celia!
      Okay just posted two oak trees in watercolor!
      Hope you like!
      Michael

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  4. The painted colors may not be the exact same than in nature, but yours are all great works with beautiful and joyful colors . Love the colorful house with Bougainvillas .

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    1. THank you Jane, it really means a lot to me to have your feedback! Have a wonderful day, I hope it isn't raining up north.

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  5. Celia, this is an embarrassment of riches--so many things to enjoy. This post really shows your versatility in finding subjects, and highlights your beautiful colors!
    If I painted what's in my kitchen, I'd have a painting of a big mess! But I do always enjoy your kitchen still lifes.
    When I draw or paint architecture on site, I often hold my pencil up along the line of say a roof, then look at the pencil, not the roof, to see the angle--it really helps!

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    1. You are very generous,Laura! I really appreciate your tip, can't wait to put it to use!

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  6. Celia these are all delightful. I love your loose expressive freedom. You capture the moment with speed, colour and light without getting bogged down with too much detail. Wonderful to see your beautiful painted memories. Thanks for showing us.

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    1. I'm happy you use loose and expressive as an adjective because my hope is to achieve just that, thank you Laura!!

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  7. Great work! It reaches out to the viewer, inviting to introspection. Very soothing.

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    1. Your kind comment made my day, thank you Nuccio! A big hug!!!

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  8. What a lovely selection and so varied when seen all on one page.

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    1. Thank you very much, Polly!
      Have a good weekend

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  9. Oh Celia - these are so lovely - not just great sketches but a personal window into your own beautiful soul. I think sketches really give us an intimate view of the artist and what they are drawn to paint and sketch. (I am partial to the apple page - my favorite fruit and that looks like a delicious dessert). Thanks for sharing. I am so glad to see these wonderful pages my dear friend. Hugs!

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    1. You are really sweet Debbie, thank you for your kind words! Many hugs!!

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  10. Gorgeous sketches Celia, thank you for sharing your work! I love the colorful house with the plants spilling over. Also love the sketch with the recipe, apple. and a wonderful looking dessert.

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    1. Thank you very much Debi! Have a good weekend

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  11. What a treat to see all these wonderful sketches, Celia. I think your still life of the apple pie is amazing and to be able to go from that with equal ability to cars, houses, boats and market scenes is really impressive.

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  12. Great sketches from the month. I love the one of the market. It looks so spontaneous and filled with light. The colorful house is gorgeous!!! Who wouldn't want to live in a colorful place like that. I'm glad to see you have been getting out to sketch...even without me. lol I'm hungry now after seeing the apple galette recipe.

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    1. It's all thanks to you Joan, you have inspired me!

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  13. It's all so beautiful! You had a very productive month of October! Everything has such character and expression, Celia! My favorites are the apple and the fishing boat. :)

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  14. Wow, I so enjoyed looking through your sketchbook - so many great pieces! I love your use of colour and particularly liked the green you got into your street scene. I admire how you also love to cook and enjoyed hearing about how you worked through all the apple recipes. I'm afraid baking is not one of my creative outlets but I wish it was because I love the thought of it in theory. In reality I would rather paint than bake a cake - and eat it too of course!!

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