Maastricht, Faliezusterklooster

Yes, we did it again! Finally at last we were able to organize a Urban Sketching meeting, in Maastricht. We were with 10 sketchers, in a quiet park at the old city fortifications. I introduced some new sketchers to USk in and outs, and was able to make this drawing. Finally we enjoyed company at a terrace, renewing the lust for drawing. It felt good after a year.
 

Vaccination

 

People waiting outside the vaccination center (Mecc Maastricht), for their partners to receive a Covid 19 vaccination. My wife was there to receive hers; and I took the 15 minute opportunity to make this quick sketch.

Vivian Meier

 A drawing after an image made by the New York and Chicago Photographer Vivian Maier. Washed out fountain pen ink.

Vogelzang in Puth

 

One of the typical courtyard farmhouses in our region. This is an old house in Puth, called Vogelzang (Birds song). Nicely restored. During sketching I had the opportunity to chat with  one of the owners of the building complex, Marietje van der Linden. Always nice.

De Ridder (8): the Octopus

(Page 8 of the Childrens book I wrote for my grandchildren. It's in Dutch, but this is the English translation. I finished it yesterday.)

The Knight had to cover his ears again, and walked to the animal to check it out properly. He had to shout: “Hello Hydra! Listen, for a nice little reward I could solve your problem!”

The seven heads looked to each other and said simultaneously: “Okay. This pot holds a nice and fitting present. It will make you think of this sweet creature. Will that do?”. “We have a deal!” the Knight said.

He flew to the roof on his horse and lowered a rope through the chimney. With a heavy pull the animal came loose. It was a regular Octopus! She was probably lost in the storm!

The Knight pointed to Octopus. ”Look at that! An Octopus. She is clearly a long way from home and the sea. But I will take her home”.

The Hydra blushed out of shame. Stuttering the heads told each other: “I am so sorry, Forgive me, I didn’t mean all I said. I do like you. Can we be friends again? Just like old times?”

And so everything was okay again. They spit a little fire to celebrate.

The Knight waved goodbye and quickly carried the Octopus to the sea.

Lee Marvin

 

Just a little random drawing, from a movie still. Point Blank featuring Lee Marvin. Always a fantastic actor to see playing. Washed out fountain pen ink.

Hoenderloo groep

 

Another one, made at the weekend we had on the Veluwe. This is a rather strange building of a former treatment center for difficult boys. It already existed for about 160 years, before it was closed down last year. I was talking to a nice couple who lived in the neighbouring streets, they filled me in. A beautiful area, it seems a pity for the former inhabitants of this institution.

Old lady

 

Exercise in Pastel. An old lady, after a picture from Google. Even though it's not my favourite material, it felt nice to do a portrait again.

Miggelenberg

 

We had a nice little long weekend in a cottage in a holiday camp on the Veluwe. In Hoenderloo. Fortunately the weather was nice (even though we have had better temperatures in previous May's). Especially on Sunday the temperature was comfortable. The cottages are spread widely over a slightly hilly forest; this is the actual view from terrace of our cottage. It's quite relaxing to draw with some nice music on my hearing aids.

Wijnandsrade: the castle

 

This is the inner courtyard of the Castle of Wijnandsrade. Just about 5 km from my house. It was nice spring weather, a bit cold, but the sun was very bright. I had trouble with the colours, I could not distinguish the different colours in  my watercolourbox. I had to wash out some of the colour of the sky, and add a touch of ochre in the facade. I think it's okay now.

Wijnandsrade: Coffee to go

 

Went out Urban sketching again. All terraces and café's have been closed for half a year now. But often you can get coffee to go. Here some cyclists rested on the bridge of Castle Wijnandsrade. It was pleasant in the sun.

Mars Wrigley in Veghel

 

Today this watercolour painting of  a microbiology laboratory was handed to our client, Mars-Wrigley  in Veghel.

This is not only my painting, but the building is also my design. I made the first sketches for this building back in 2018, the construction was finished a few months ago. 

Unfortunately I have not been able to visit the building due to Corona travel restrictions. I really hope to see the finished buidling in reality some time soon.

De Ridder (7): the Hydra

 

Page 7 of "The Knight" (or in Dutch: "De Ridder"). A Children's book that I am writing and illustrating for my grandchildren.

“Aha” the knight said, “I will see what I can do.” He climbed the steep road towards the ruin. De smell of Sulphur and old fire was unbearable. And so was the harsh shouting. Obviously a fierce quarrel.

Inside the cave he was surprised to see a loudly quarreling seven headed dragon, and another strange tentacled creature. The Knight had to shout to get over the terrible noise. He said “I am the Knight who does not know who he is. What’s going on here?”

The seven heads fell silent for a brief moment. Then the first spoke: “We are the Hydra. Last week’s storm made this beautiful creature fall through our ceiling!” The second head shouted: “And now you think that she is in love with YOU?” And the third: “How can she love you, with your ugly yellow teeth!” “Hear, who is calling names!” ”You’re just jealous!” “Who? On you? Ha!”.

In seconds the noise was deafening.

Spaubeek

I am fond of drawing with red ink Fude pens nowadays. Yesterday afternoon, in one of those ancient "hollow roads" I was able to make this quick sketch. I had forgotten to bring my watercoourset, so I decided to fill the colours digitally. Using Gimp.
 

De Ridder (6): Jake

Page 6 of "the strange travels of Lord Pentamundo or in Dutch: "De vreemde avonturen van Ridder Jeroen".

Now our Knight knew what to do: four quests to win the heart the Countess.

So he jumped on his flying horse and flew away. But it was late, and the sun set slowly behind the dark shadow of another castle.

Suddenly he heard a young boy sobbing. He was sitting on a fence and staring at his dark lantern.

The Knight asked curiously: “My dear boy, what is troubling you? How can I be of service?”

The boy looked up and said: “I am Jake, and I live in that little village over there. Since the storm of last week we don’t have any fire or light left!”   

The Knight looked to the dark village.

Jake went on: “A seven-headed and fire spitting dragon lives in the tower of that castle. But she is very sweet: she offers us her fire for free. And that is so sparkling and beautiful that we are able to sell it to the other villages."

"But now we don’t get anything anymore. We don’t know what to do now!"