Florence, brown sketchbook, PanPastels, convents…
Whilst scanning a load of my old drawings, I came across this lovely brown paper sketchbook - which I believe is the Strathmore 5.5x8.5in toned tan softcover art journal. In 2023, I gatecrashed my mum and her friends holiday to Florence for the weekend. I brought this sketchbook with the thinking that the brown paper would be a good match for the colours I’d find in Tuscan buildings and landscapes.
We did get some sun, but for the most part the weather was quite grey. I had PanPastels with me, which were perfect to try and capture the fogginess. Looking through these has also reminded me that I loved these pastels - I then accidentally smashed them all (and then lost them), so I might have to get some more.
The Convent of San Marco was my highlight of the trip, I wanted to go there as I knew of David Hockney’s love for Fra Angelico, specifically Annunciation, which Hockney actually did a reinterpretation of (Annunciation II). Fra Angelico was a painter and friar, who whilst living at the convent painted around 50 frescoes in the cells and corridors. I loved being able to peek into each cell and see these, they were also in perfect condition which is so impressive considering they’re from the 15th century.
Quite a lot of these below were actually done when I got home, from photos. I don’t do this as much anymore as I just prefer the look of my drawings when they’re actually done on location, as they’re more immediate, messy and natural. The first two images below are to show this; the first one I did on location, the second one was done from a photo. On location you’re forced to make quick decisions and tend not to overthink. You can also move around and decide what views you want to include. When drawing from a photo (second pic) you have less time restraints so its more forced. You’re also looking at a flat image so it’s really restrictive. I also get caught up in detail when drawing from a photo, so it just ends up taking too long and I lose interest. I still use photos for reference, but I’ve stopped just copying straight from them as I used to.
I also really like the page where I’ve stuck a load of stuff in - wrappers, business cards etc. I used to do this constantly and then just stopped at some point. Gonna bring back the scrapbooking!!
There was something so inspiring about all the art I saw here, and until looking back on this sketchbook, I’d forgotten how much I was enjoying learning about it after this trip. I’m defo gonna rewatch the very dramatic documentary The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance! I don’t like looking back at some of my old sketchbooks as a lot of them are where I’m trying to work out my style or forcing things that aren’t very me (it makes me cringe!!), but this was really enjoyable. Also now I want pasta!!!!!!
