Weymouth beach, Dorset

Weymouth beach

A sketch I did on Weymouth beach (Dorset, England) at the end of September. This is a large sandy beach in the centre of Weymouth. Other beaches around generally have pebbles.

I started with a quick pencil outline, then painted with the waterclour. Only after applying the colour I used a black ink liner to give more definition.

An despite the water being at 16 degrees Celcius (61 Fahrenheit), it was nice to go for a swim in the sea at the end of summer.

 

While visiting Venice, we stopped for a drink at the Coffee place inside the Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art (MUVE website). The terrace area had a view on the Canal. I sketched one of the old buildings on the opposite side.

Clock Tower on Piazza San Marco in Venice

The Clock Tower is a Renaissance located on the north side of the Piazza San Marco in Venice. I sketched it while we were queuing to visit the Basilica de San Marco.

Boat trip to Venice

Last summer, while we were in Italy, the family took a boat trip from Chioggia to Venice. I did some quick sketches on the way.

Via Ghibellina in Florence

This was the view of the courtyard from the apartment where we stayed while visiting Florence. I intended to add some colours, waiting for the end of the afternoon to have some interesting shadows, but never get a chance to do it...

Via Ghibellina in Florence - Sepia ink pen drawing by Benoit Philippe

Sketching in Florence's Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens, originally designed for the Medicis, was opened to the public in 1766.

Boboli Gerdens (Florence) - Watercolour by Benoit Philippe

Florence Duomo viewed from the Boboli Gardens  - Watercolour by Benoit Philippe

The Boboli Gardens
Piazza de' Pitti, 1,
50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Sketch of the Duomo in Florence

The Duomo in Florence - Watercolour by Benoit Philippe

I drew and painted this sketch while standing in a queue to get in Florence's cathedral (we probably queued for 20 minutes).

Madonna with glass eyes at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence

Madonna and Child (Madonna with Glass Eyes) – marble sculpture by Anolfo di Cambrio 

This sculpture, from 1296, was initially on the front of Santa Maria del Fiore church in Florence. It is made of marble, except from the Madonna glass eyes.


The Museum

Museum of Opera of Saint Maria of Fiore
Piazza del Duomo, 9, 50122 Firenze FI,
Italy

Sketches from Lake Como (Italy)

In the train from Milan to Lake Como - Ink pen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

Bellagio - Watercolour by Benoit Philippe

Hills around Lake Como - Watercolour by Benoit Philippe

I did this last one from the boat, while crossing the lake.

A nice bunch of flowers

A nice bunch of flowers - Inkpen and watercolour by Benoit PHILIPPE

Sketches from the North of France

A few sketches I did in the North of France earlier this year.

Two shops in Valenciennes.

Au Fil du Temps - inkpen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

Cafe the 36 - Inkpen by Benoit Philippe

Two sketches done at the Lewarde Mining Historical Centre.

Busts of Charles Tauchon and Jules Marmottan - Inkpen by Benoit PHILIPPE

On the stove - inkpen by Benoit PHILIPPE

I did this last sketch literally in 5 minutes.

Pont Saint-Thomas in Strasbourg

Pont Saint-Thomas - Ink pen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

The Pont Saint-Thomas was built in 1841 and is one of the oldest cast iron bridge in France. The bridge goes over the Ill river in the centre of Strasbourg.

Café Bretelles

Café Bretelles - Ink pen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

Café Bretelles is a charming independent coffee place located 36 Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes — 67000, Strasbourg, France. It is in the area of the city called Petite France, with old houses, waterways and a fair number of tourists (including me).

I went there for breakfast and I would definitely recommend the place: excellent coffee, great baguette and the melon and vanilla jam was homemade…

In Vino Veristas

In Vino Veritas - Black Ink pen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

In Vino Veritas is a Restaurant & Wine Bar located 25 Place de la Cathédrale, 67000 Strasbourg, France.

The two reasons I picked this subject were the bright orange fabric of the umbrellas and the fact that I could seat in the shade on the other side of the street (the side wall of the Cathedral of Strasbourg has a convenient stone bench).

Two views of the Cathedral of Strasbourg

The Cathedral of Strasbourg (in Alsace, France) is an imposing building at the heart of the old city.

For these drawings, I did not draw with a black ink pen as I often do. I drew the structure with a mechanical pencil and then painted with my Sennelier watercolour paints.

The Cathedral of Strasbourg viewed from  the Quai des Bateliers

The Cathedral of Strasbourg viewed from the top floor of the Museum of Modern Art.

Travelling to Strasbourg - 2 sketches

Here are 2 sketches I did on my way to Strasbourg (France). The first one at the train station, the second in the Fast speed train (TGV).

Knitting - Ink pen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

The nap - Ink pen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

In Paris - Sketch

In Paris - Ink pen and watercolour by Benoit Philippe

Irises are in bloom

We have a clump of magnificent irises in our back garden and they are in full bloom.

These irises are pale purple. It is difficult to render the transparency of the petals and the light and shadow of their curled edges.

My set-up: sketchbook, Pilot Kuru Toga mechanical pencil, Sennelier watercolour travel box, brush with a water reservoir and... a cup of coffee

University Sketches

I did these sketches in 2017, while visiting universities with daughter number 3.

A few sketches from Japan

Tenryū-ji Temple in Tokyo 

Tenryū-ji Temple is the head temple of the Tenryū branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Wikipedia article on Tenryū-ji Temple gives you more details.

In the Shinkansen 

The Shinkansen is the Japanese bullet train, a great way to travel between cities in Japan. They run like clockwork. You need to be ready to board or get out very quickly. I have been told-off once for not getting on board fast enough (and therefore making it leave a few seconds late…)

Train to Hakone 

Hakone is in the mountains west of Tokyo, in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is a beautiful place and, when the weather is clear, you can see Mount Fuji.