Seminyak

Sardine restaurant at night. Acrylic paint, white pen and water-colour

All technical difficulties resolved and a new power supply for the laptop, I can now get down to the serious business of showing your what I have put in my journal so far.

Ivory Resort walk way to our room

We spent the first three days in Seminyak, a very busy part of Bali, on the coast where some of the better shopping and dining is located.  So of course we shopped and dined.  I have to say as a foodie, the dining in Bali has been fabulous.  We have not had a bad meal from high-end dining to small little cafes.

Seminyak page in journal Watercolour and ink

Our hotel was really gorgeous with lots of water features and a great day bed.  I love a good day bed and tend to spend my time on them while drawing.

Lynette and I on the day bed Ivory Resort Seminyak

We were recommended Sardine restaurant by a friend who comes to Bali all the time.  An amazing place built of bamboo and set in its own rice field. Very beautiful and it is lit like a stage a night. I wanted to capture the feel of this and so went with the black background on which I drew in white, then coloured over in water colour.  I was surprised how well it worked and am happy that I have caught the feel of looking out over these ‘decorator’ rice fields while sipping my cocktail.  (its tough on holiday)

Sardine Page Journal Water colour and ink

There were these great little geckos that would come out shyly from the roof tops to scamper across the wall above the day bed.  I found out that they were called Chichaks because that is the call they make.  Once I knew what the sound was I realised that you could hear them calling to each other in the evening.

Chichak gouache and ink

You can see I had problems with the fountain pen, the Lamy safari travelled perfectly even with ink in it, but my Noodlers flex pen had a splurt when I tried to use it on this page.  The joys of travelling with art supplies.  As long as everything is in zip lock bags I am cool with the occasional spillage.

Karen

Seminyak Beach Sunrise (well almost)

Seminyak Beach Sunrise Water Colour

Almost got up early enough to get the sunrise on the beach.  Still just a hint of pink in the clouds and the lovely early morning colours.  (Before you all think I am a really early bird, Bali is two hours later then home, so I am awake very early.)

I tried to use all water colour in this picture, with only a few ink lines to sketch the figures.  The sea is so hard to paint, all those waves that just won’t sit still for me to draw, and people are always a challenge.  I didn’t really succeed with the water colour and when I got home it felt very insipid so I got out the colour pencils and gently added some depth to the colours.  I only have a limited water colour set and just couldn’t get the colours I wanted, and working with such a new technique on site defeated me this time.

I did this drawing at the beach, there were loads of people walking, many with their dogs.  It made me miss mine, I will never get used to going for a walk without a dog, it just seems wrong somehow.  These dogs were having a fabulous time chasing waves and each other.

Seminyak Beach Sunrise Left

This view was taken looking straight ahead, I also took photos looking either way up the beach and when I got home I used the one looking left for another painting.  I used ink for the trees, but it tried again with the water colours in a more controlled environment and I am much happier with the result, especially the sky.  Nothing beats water colours for painting beautiful skies.  A bit more practice and I will get consistent results.

Seminyak Beach Sunrise Journal Page

Here is the journal spread, starting to get the writing to work with the drawings.

Seminyak Beach Sunrise Right

I am off to Ubud for the day tomorrow, looking forward to seeing the inland scenery and the rice fields and of course all the arts there.  Ubud is the artistic centre of Bali and has many fine wood, silver, fiber artisans and fine arts. Hope I can find some nice things to take home.

Karen

Bali Morning

 

Drawing of courtyard at Villa Kresna, Seminyak Bali water colour and ink.

Arrived in Bali yesterday afternoon, a little shattered after a flight spent at the back of the airline full of excited children and a two hour wait in the customs queue. But Villa Kresna where I am staying in Seminyak for the first three nights, is a beautiful, calm oasis. I sat at the little table outside my villa and drew this picture of the pool and courtyard I look out on. Isn’t it divine.

Drawing at Villa Kresna Seminyak Bali

I did the line drawing last night and finished this morning, still getting to know water colours and trying to take the advice of the lovely Ruth Bailey a gorgeous water colour artist I follow and leave some of the white paper shine through.  I am pleased with how the water turned out and think I finally got some of the contrast happening after having to repeatedly go back and deepen the colours.

A nice quiet day today, with a spa this afternoon and I should be ready to adventure out tomorrow.

Karen