Plaid and flowers
Posted: April 29, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Hoi An, ink sketch, Market sketch, travel sketch, Vietnam, watercolour sketch 15 CommentsI have such great memories of this quiet morning in Hoi An, sitting at my favourite café with some of the sketchers in my group.We had an ideal view of a spot in the central market where the vendors were just beginning to set up. I loved the interesting mix of patterns that many of the women were wearing: plaid shirts with flowered pants.
To paint the section of the sketch that’s under the awning, I laid in a wash of pale lavender. The purpose of that is to take away all the white bits in that dark area. The lavender is light enough that I can paint over it with brighter or darker colours, and it works to push back that whole section into the shadows.
When I was almost done sketching, I was surprised to look up and see that I was surrounded by police. I think that our very hospitable café lady had moved her tables a little too far out onto the sidewalk, and the police were doing a market sweep. Fortunately they let me grab my sketching gear before they pitched a few of her tables and chairs into a flatbed truck.
Your output amazes me. And I love your paintings. And it sucks that those police would throw that marketer’s chairs into a truck and take them away. What a loss for her!
We felt really bad and we all gave her some money to replace the table and chairs.
Sorry I missed that! Beats a five hour bus ride anyday!
At least we had another day together at the famous well!
My goodness! I guess painting the police would not have been a good idea! Couldn’t they just have her more her table back a bit?
Lois, she did not seem bothered by this. It seemed like something that happens fairly often, and they did this will all the vendors along that side of the market. We felt terrible, though.
Good grief! That was kind of you and your group to give her some money for the tables. I love that the tree is poking up between the openings in the awnings.
Good Evening dear friend Shari,
At first instance excuse me for not regular with you posts.
I feel so sad for that lady for losing her tables.
Police are the same everywhere.
Few days back here at Bangalore also they removed lot of stalls. including their items.
When I question one cop, he told, it is commissioner’s order, keep the city clean drive.
Anyway, thanks for sharing this lovely painting.
All the best and good luck.
Wishing you happy days always.
Blessings
Uma🙏
Uma, please do not apologize for not commenting. I appreciate when you have a look and comment, when you have the time.
Yes, keeping the city clean was obviously what they were doing in Hoi An. We saw them taking things away from many vendors: signage, string lights, etc.
All the best to you too.
Shari
One of the joys of sketching is all the memories that come with them-this one will one will be no exception! Thanks for the tip on using lavender for under painting the dark area, I never would have thought to do that!
Denise, this was definitely an unforgettable experience. A bit unnerving too, I must admit.
You are a braver soul than me!
Love your vibrant sketch, Shari! The variety of colours under the awning is fantastic. Thank you for sharing your process—it’s really inspiring to see how you achieved this result.
Natalia, thank you. That was such a special morning for me. Thank you for being there!
Sorry to hear the woman lost some of her belongings. The police are hard to ignore when they show up. I’ve had them come over and tell me to “move on” in Italy. It doesn’t do much if you try to understand their reasoning. I’ve just gone with the flow. Glad you were almost done with your sketching, and didn’t have much of a problem.