Let me begin by reporting that Shirley is practicing her croissant sketches, though I fear she eats two for every one she sketches, thankfully they know a good boulangerie that is nearby. I know a lot of folks that read this also sketch, be sure to tag me when you post something as I would like to see it.
In the movie LA Story, Victoria Tennant says, “Let your mind go and your body will follow.” Artists, at least moi, have a tendency to overthink things, so this is some pretty good advice.
Most of the time those of us who travelsketch or urban sketch are capturing what is right in front of us – the USK Manifesto even requires on location sketching. The impressionist were ridiculed at times for painting plien aire as opposed to in their atelier.
Recently I have relished creating sketches from the collected mental images I have stored from our travels, certainly with varying degrees of success, yet it is an apt expression of Ms. Tennant’s quote, and quite enjoyable. For the most part this week that is what I have done. Starting with a virtual voyage back to Paris for un café.
This fountain pen sketch of a bird carrying nesting material was no specific species.
This ink and marker building was from a reference photo of St Julien’s restaurant in the old section of Domfront, similar in construction but the actual building is quite different.
This graphite sketch is of a nearby farm building, from a photo.
On an early morning walk when we were in Rome back in November 2022 I came across this broom leaning up against a wall. It looked like something out of Harry Potter, glad I finally got around to reliving the moment by means of a sketch.
Different mediums, sources, and techniques keep art fun, and I can’t imagine what I would do in retirement without it.
Thought I would end with a photo Tricia took of Neville on the cabinet where I store some of my art stuff – he is curious and the best companion. You can follow him on Instagram @nevilleofnormandie.
theTravelsketcher 
Lovely sketches!
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Ditto
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Thank you so much
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Thanks
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First, Neville looks fantastic! As one of the few people who has actually seen LA Story, I loved the Victoria Tennant quote. Your mind must pretty sharp because your ‘memory ‘ sketches are great! And by the way, I did NOT eat 2 croissants!😁
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Neville is thriving here, and to think just a year ago the vet was saying he did not have long to live, he loves the French life.
LA Story is one of our favorite movies, we just watched it again a month or so ago. Some days I don’t feel too sharp, but thanks.
As far as eating two croissants, well ok if that is your story, but I would have tried if it was me. Loved your sketch by the way.
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Shirley, the moment I read Terry’s hypothesis that you ate two croissants, I knew it wasn’t true! 🙂
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Thank you, Terry . And…okay., okay….I did eat one and a HALF croissants (but not two)
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I can’t resist croissants, if they’re in front of me; I’ll eat them, no matter how many!
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I can resist a croissant, but put an almond croissant in front of me and all will power vanishes.
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Our boulangerie rarely has almond croissants as they traditionally are made from the croissants that didn’t sell, so they fill them the next day, and our boulangerie runs out by about 900. You can get them at the super marche though so we will do that when you are here.
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Love the graphite sketch. The black is so dense. It looks like it is really fun to work with.
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Thanks Lisa. It is fun to be doing graphite, been a long time.
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