The Old Market
Posted: July 28, 2015 Filed under: Uncategorized 17 CommentsMornings are always my preferrred time to sketch markets — before the crowds arrive and the heat sets in. In Siem Reap the Old Market occupies a full city block. The edges are ringed with vendors selling dry goods and souvenirs, but I was intrigued by a group of women squatting in the shade of this one stall, wearing big straw hats and selling vegetables from baskets. Trying to convey the sense of inside/outside was what interested me, so one of the first things I did was paint a Cobalt Blue wash over all the shaded areas. From there I built up the details both in and out of the shade. When the sketch was done I headed over to have a look at what the women were selling. To my surprise, the storefront I thought I had been looking at was actually the entrance to the fresh food section of the market and the small group of squatting women selling vegetables was only a fraction of the scene that continued inside. In fact, vendors (mostly women) were crouched over fruit, vegetables, bowls of raw fish, eels, hunks of meat, chicken with black claws still on and many more things that I can’t even name. The space inside is dark, narrow and very crowded so I was glad I sketched from across the way, but my friend Suhita did an amazing job of drawing in the middle of the chaos. Watch for her drawings on her blog Sketch Away: Travels with my sketchbook.
This is fabulous xoxoxoxoxox love it love it love it. Did I say I love it????
I guess you love it. Thanks!
Your friend has great style, just looking now…
These sketches are amazing to me. I don’t know how you can make a crowd of people look so real without painting all of the details. So wonderful!!
Thanks Janet.
You have a terrific sense of style as well as artistic sensibility – this image is fluid and alive – beautiful!
annmarie:)
Thanks Ann Marie.
You’re welcome 🙂
Oh my gosh..the details..without being details..LOVE this one!
Thanks!
What a great experience you are having, Shari.
It’s amazing Lee!
Sketchiing all that chaos would send me to the nearest tea shop for a rest! I get agitated and nervous when so much is happening around me. But, you! My gosh you’ve captured the hustle/bustle of this place to that last dab of paint. I feel I can hear all the chatter.
Another beautiful sketch Shari! And thanks so much for posting bits about how you created it. I took your course on Craftsy and was hooked! Just starting out here and appreciate all the wonderful insight and instruction! You’re truly inspiring! 🙂
Thanks so much for writing Charlie! I’m glad you liked the class.
I adore the swooping awning, I wonder sometimes if these things are actually there or if you put them there because you know exactly the way it should really look. Either way, bravo. Off to Rome and Croatia on Monday, hope your amazing trip was fun . . . Jacques
This was really a swooping awning John. Have a wonderful trip! Send me some photos!