Sketches of Spain
Posted: September 18, 2022 Filed under: Uncategorized 42 CommentsI’m always optimistic that I’ll be able to post along the way during a travel workshop but that rarely works out. Between teaching all day and group dinners, there’s barely time to clean and refill my palette. But now that I have a bit of a rest week before my next workshop in Greece begins, it’s a good time to share my sketches of Spain, and clean that dirty palette.
If you don’t know where the Costa Brava is, it’s the rocky coastline starting north of Barcelona and going all the way to France. The region is rich both in coastal villages and medieval towns, so there’s no lack of subjects to sketch. In fact, with just one week there, I felt like we barely scratched the surface. There were panoramas we didn’t get to, plunging views from hilltops that we missed, narrow sunlit alleys, and beaches full of bathing beauties. But I had a really talented and extremely hard-working group of sketchers with me, so we still managed to cover some territory. And as always, Jackie and Valerie from French Escapade take such great care of us and make it really easy for me to focus on teaching.
I brought along my new A4 size Hahnemuhle 100% cotton book for this workshop, and it was the right choice. It’s smooth enough for ink and great for pure watercolour, and I’m especially happy that the colours I chose for these Mediterranean vistas retained their vibrancy. It’s definitely my new favourite book.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Excellent Travel Sketches of Costa Brava, Spain. I find these paintings really tell a lot about the area and its people.
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Many thanks for having a look Shawn!
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As always, love to see your artwork.
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Donna, thanks so much!
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Lovely work Shari so bright and clear. thanks so much for posting.
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Dan, thanks. I love this area, as you can see!
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Simply STUPENDOUS! XX
•••Karimobile
514 9944433
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Merci Karim. We miss you.
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Wow! Wow! Wow!
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Love them all and wish we could be there with you and in Greece. Enjoy your travels and teaching. We look forward to many more delights from your brush and pen.
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Jeff, thank you. We wish you could be here too. One of the students who was in Provence (in the other group) was with us in Spain. We were remembering how much we loved that location too, and the hotel, and the food! Love to you both!
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Wonderful sketches Shari! I know I can find much inspiration in these!
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I love these sketches! I can immediately feel myself transported to this warm Mediterranean coast. You have such a beautiful way of capturing the movement of the water. Thank you for sharing! I break into a smile every time I see an email from you in my inbox.
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Siu, that is so nice to read. This made me smile too.
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Thanks Shari. I particularly like your treatment of waves and water in your sketches of Costa Brava. Have fun in Greece!
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Hi Shari,
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get back to you. I’ve had deadlines at home.
Do either of your books cover lettering? If so, I thought I would purchase the book(s) instead.
Thanks so much!
Carol
Sent from my iPhone
>
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HI Carol, There are no lettering lessons in my books but in my Sketching Markets course I do a complete section on that. Hope that helps.
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Sounds like you’re on a great adventure. Your paintings show the variety of venues and they are beautiful! Looking forward to Greece. Thank you for sharing your journey.
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Your paintings are all soooo great! Makes me want to go there😃
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Wonderful location sketches Shari! Love your ocean views!
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These are so wonderful! Some of your best, I think, though that’s a tough comparison since all your work is amazing. I have your videos and all your classes and I never tire of watching make magic with a brush and watercolour. I seem to learn something new everytime. Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous talent with us!
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Hi Donna, What a wonderful comment to read. I appreciate this so much. More sketches of Greece coming soon!
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So beautiful!
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thanks so much Josee!
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Your travel sketches are great!! The one with all the people surrounding the boats made me smile. Your students must have loved the workshops.
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Thanks Joan. I loved that scene with the people and the boats. The boats are beached there all the time, and then people put their chairs and towels on either side of them to get shade. It’s a very funny scene.
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You are amazing!
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Elly, glad you like the sketches!
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WOW! Your work is absolutely beautiful! I love your choice of color’s especially the water! I can feel the sunshine warmth. You must be exhausted but proud of all that you captured!!!
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Linda, thanks so much! I really did love the Costa Brava, and yes, I am exhausted but I’m taking it easy this week!
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Oh Sheri, the paintings are wonderful and the addition of people add soooo much! They make me smile. Each one of your artworks has great appeal and would make a wonderful travel brochure for the area. As always, they are a delight, like eye candy.
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Bernadette, thank you! I have been trying to add more people in my sketches!
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I also “try” to add people to my sketches but I’m floundering! I guess practice is the key to everything. I appreciate your reply.
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Wow. I always admire your work. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks so much Mary!
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absolutely marvelous on so many levels … tourist industry is missing out on you 🤣 I’m curious what colors you packed for your Mediterranean tour
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Hi Soni, Thanks for looking at my sketches of Spain. I took my regular palette along for Spain. I’m using lots of blues, as you can imagine.
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Your work is just so gorgeous! Any online tutorials in the future for seascapes? You are an amazing artist!
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Thanks so much Gail. I’m hoping to do a seascapes course real soon.
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Shari, I am excited to hear that! I love seascapes and the colors you combine just really pop! I have so many ocean and beach photos I have taken, that I want to do, but would love to do a tutorial from you before I tackle them. I am currently working on your shadows tutorial and have the window box done.
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I really like your watercolor sketches!
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These are stunning Shari! Wish I was on the trip as well— enjoy!
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