From theTravelsketcher’s journal


From my journal pretty much the way I wrote it, grammar errors and all. Monday August 26, 2024. Just nine weeks until we go back to the US. I think I am ready but it seems so final. Since 2019 we have been planning France, then all the work of getting our visas in 2021,…

A cooler week in Avignon


Not sure if temperatures below 92F qualify as cool, but compared with the 99-100F we have had it seemed better, or maybe we are just acclimating a bit. I got out on a few afternoons just for sketching, quite nice. Since I am contemplating switching to oils from acrylics I have been using Procreate to…

A hot week in Avignon


One of my weather apps says that the average high temperature for August in Avignon is 88F. The whole time we have been here it has been between 96-100F, so on the average it has been too hot to go out much. We have ventured out for foraging in the morning when it was a…

A diverse week of sketching


Over the years I have heard many discussions about finding your style as a sketcher. Some go so far as to suggest that once you find it you should nurture it and “perfect” it, assuming such a thing was even possible. Yet from many visits to artist’s museums – Picasso, Rodin, Van Gogh, Monet, etc….

How I received Blackwings and why that is a big deal


My friend Dave is a prolific and generous gift giver. He is one of those folks that prefer to give a gift rather than receive one. Christmas is his second favorite time of the year, UW Husky football season still takes the top spot I believe. Dave has a knack for remembering the things that…