Montreal to Toronto train sketching
Posted: October 22, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized 33 CommentsTesting, testing. I’ve never posted a video before but this is the only way to show my weekend sketch so thought I’d give it a try. Fingers crossed that you can see it too.
On a train ride to Toronto on Saturday I sketched in an accordion sketchbook, adding a new sketch every time the landscape changed. The paper in the book was quite poor for watercolours but it was so much fun to do that I thought I’d post it anyway. The full size is 7 inches by 5.5 feet. I loved the experience so much (the motion of the train, the sound of the whistle as we approached level crossings, the wide open Canadian landscape) that it made we want to cross the country by rail with a ream of better paper and some good paints in my bag.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
It came through just great on my sometimes finicky iPad. Thanks so much for the visual treat. I think I have fallen for accordian sketchpads too.
LikeLike
I’m so glad to hear that. Thanks for letting me know Sue. It worked on my phone too. Phew.
LikeLike
That was lovely. Thanks.
LikeLike
You did it! What a wonderful way to fill an accordion book.
LikeLike
Wonderful!! Looked great
LikeLike
Wow! You were busy. Love how it flows.
LikeLike
Bravo! Great job and thanks for the treat!
LikeLike
Video looks fab on my MacPro. Even more exciting is the train trip sketching — and what about Europe?? Sometimes you can order wine 🙂 It seems like such a sensible way to go!!
LikeLike
It worked! It’s wonderful! Congratulations! Now you can do more and we, your loyal fans, will be even more delighted! Thanks so much.
LikeLike
so much fun! sorry to hear the paper in the folding sketch pad wasn’t great. You did a lovely job with paper that didn’t delight you. I’m very interested in this format. Was the sketch book expensive? where can we get ones like this? ( Even just one so I can make my own with good paper.)
LikeLike
I have an accordian sketchbook made by Pentalic. But there are lots of YouTube videos on creating your own, and then you can use your favorite watercolor paper.
LikeLike
Amazing. Thanks for doing this tho I don’t know how you did it. I feel as if I’ve been on the train as well–and I love trains. Great skies. Love the page which looks like birch trees. Would you use the accordion system again?
LikeLike
This looks like you had a great time and some fun to boot!
LikeLike
The video was perfect. I am so amazed you did this on the train. My guess is you did not have anyone sitting next to you. I do a 2 hour train trip from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. I often look at the scenery however, I end up sketching the people on the train! You are so good!
LikeLike
Wow! It’s lovely Shari (as always)… I can’t even imagine painting in a moving vehicle, and so beautifully! Marylin Smith
LikeLike
Hi Shari, I tested the video on my laptop, phone and iPad on your blog and Instagram account…. all looked great, the size for the viewing screen got adjusted automatically to fit the viewing device. It was a nice surprise having a little bit of “live” you today.
LikeLike
Terrific quick sketches Shari, I have sketched but never painted on a bus trip.
LikeLike
Love this! I’ve painted views from a train in Europe but only one at a time. The idea of doing them in an accordion sketchbook is a great idea. I like how you continued the sky and the scene from one spot to another. Great idea!
LikeLike
It worked on my Mac book Pro and I saw all the fun you had 🙂 My one try to sketch by painting was a disaster –the train was too fast and all the swaying and shaking spilled all my stuff onto the floor 😦
LikeLike
Thanks for the treat and the suggestion on a new way to paint!
LikeLike
Thank yo for sharing this Shari. It’s so beautiful
LikeLike
Bright, bold, and beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely piece with us.
And thank you for your fearlessness. You may the boldest challenges seem easy — always the mark of a true professional. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautifully painted. A great idea. Thanks for sharing
LikeLike
Looks like this was a fun experience for you…it was for me too! Thanks for this great suggestion. Sometimes a different approach releases creative juices not seen before. It’s a such a fun idea.
LikeLike
this is such a great way to spend a train ride!! turned out amazing!
LikeLike
God has put so much of his works of art out there for us to enjoy and you have a way of capturing it in such a delightful way. You seem to find something worthy of sketching in almost any subject. Sketching on a moving train…now that’s impressive. Thank you for the video.
LikeLike
It’s wonderful! I have 2 accordeons..one is done..the other has been in progress to long..Never gave it a theme or a story:(I am reading a book re Van Gogh and apparently he made his own:)
LikeLike
Well done! I take the train from Kansas to Chicago, but am overwhelmed at the thought of painting while moving. You managed to do it. Congrats. Gail
LikeLike
“made we want to cross the country by rail with a ream of better paper and some good paints in my bag”
.DO IT !!! then give us a book!! maybe get a good wc paper roll and cut it in half for size.
canadian rockies- lake moraine might be nice, near calgary you have ALL winter to sort out the issues….you can DO IT. 🙂
Love your work and your heart !
LikeLike
Bravo! It worked… in spite of what is often a rocky ride when Via picks up speed. Or maybe that added to your creativity.
LikeLike
That was a very bumpy ride which is why nothing precise was possible, but you can take some liberties with clouds and trees.
LikeLike
a original idea. wonderful work, only for those who are very gifted in this art of drawing and painting.I liked very much.
LikeLike
Very late comment here, Shari. In the day, I did the return trip, by train, from Montreal to Vancouver twice. In a private roomett with bathroom. To this day, it was my most favourite trip. Do it.
Always following you with great joy ….. Bonnie Hasan
LikeLike