A few from Geneva
Posted: June 22, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Geneva, sketchbook, Switzerland, watercolour 15 CommentsI am still unpacking art supplies from my recent teaching trip in the French Alps, but my sketchbook is sitting on my desk and I’ve dusted off my scanner to begin the process of scanning all the sketches from the two weeks.
These first two are from the only full day we had in Geneva before heading to our workshop location. Drawing is always a great way to knock the jet lag out of your head, and fortunately Geneva is a beautiful and sketchable city.
Place du Bourg-de-Four is a cobblestone square lined with restaurants and cafés, as well as some good benches for tired travellers. It’s also just steps from the Caran D’Ache store, if you are interested in really beautifully presented art supplies.
My friend Evelyn and I also attempted to capture the famous Jet d’Eau de Genève, that giant fountain that throws water 140 meters above Lake Geneva. It’s not an easy thing to sketch, especially in watercolour. I used a bit of Schminke masking fluid in a handy dispenser bottle that I had just bought on a whim earlier in the day, and it was pretty useful for creating a white line for the centre of the fountain. The final sketch falls into the category of “been there, sketched that”, but that’s ok. It’s a lovely spot to sit and watch the boats on the lake as evening sets in.
It was so much fun to go out and sketch with you Geneva. Instill have to finish my water spout, but yours nailed it!
Evelyn, it was such a nice day in Geneva! I look forward to seeing your finished sketch!
I love the Jet d’eau sketch! I was just in Geneva in September, and went to that very Caran d’Ache store!
Mary, I hope you treated yourself to something nice from the art store. I just admired all the pencils and the beautiful way they presented everything. It was like a jewelry store, wasn’t it?
Well, you’ve now mastered water fountains! Can’t wait to see what else you have to share.
Thanks Denise. I will be scanning more sketches soon!
Love the way you captured the Place du Bourg-de-Four. Beautiful color and light!
Thanks Jean. It’s really a perfect square for sketching!
Aww, I love these! I always feel funny about having construction cranes in the background when I try to take photos of the Jet d’Eau (I work in Geneva!) but you made them look graceful!
Those cranes are part of the landscape so I left them in there. You work in a beautiful place!!
Nothing like relaxing with paint and paper, no matter where you are. These are really delightful and I look forward to more from your latest travels. Funny you have the Schmincke masking fluid bottle – just bought it and really like it. Not a fan of such, but this works really well. I like the way you can draw with it.
Naomi, that was the very reason I tried the bottle of masking fluid. I don’t like ruining brushes when the fluid is in a bottle. They never get completely clean, do they?
I love “been there, sketched that”. I’ve had that feeling.
Thanks Alison!
Love the sketches and looking forward to seeing more from the workshop.