Saturday 19 March 2011

Along the City Wall


Some more lunch break sketches from Palermo's seafront area.  Here's a rear view of the 'Porta dei Greci', an old gateway set within the city walls.  I liked the sparkling view of the sea from this side, even if the front is far more ornate.


This is the top of a beautiful pillar, one of two that seem to have once been an entrance way.
I've been using some very cheap Stabilo point 88 pens.  They have a quality that I like (or defect depending on your point of view!)   If you add water the ink melts into a watery effect.
See  below.


There are 25 colours to choose from, some are very bright, but I  bought brown, grey and black to play with, but I find the purple very tempting! 

12 comments:

Lucia B. said...

I like so much these poetic, peaceful images of the beautiful Sicily!

Anonymous said...

I can see why you like those pens so much - that's a great effect!

Timaree said...

Love all three sketches. I bought some Stabilo pens just before cleaning up my art table. Now where did I put them?

Unknown said...

Very nice drawings Cathy. I would like some pens that use waterproof ink so I could use watercolour over the top. But I sometimes use a fountain pen that does the same as your third drawing - great to get some tone.
Super...well done Cathy.

Pat said...

Gorgeous sketches. What a beautiful place and a lovely way to spend your lunchtimes! xx

debra morris said...

Great sketches Cathy....love the watery effect

Gillian Mowbray said...

These lovely sketches remind me that I have yet to get the most out of the Stabilo pens that I had for Xmas. They seem to work differently on less absorbent paper I've found.
Thanks for inspiring me yet again!

jenna said...

These are so nice - your drawings always make me wish I was taking a trip (down a dusty lane, of course).

Unknown said...

Nicely done! I saw some of these pens at Dick Blick's the other day and thought of buying some. I didn't realize they weren't waterproof.

DALowe Artist said...

What gorgeous sketches of the beautiful views you see on your lunch break. Wow! I have the Stabilo pens in all the colors, a gift from a dear friend. I too love the fact that you can get a watercolor effect with them. Again, gorgeous sketches!

Alex said...

Fantastic sketches =)

Unknown said...

I really like how you have chosen to just paint and draw small parts of the scenery. I love the Stabillo pens too, especially the yellow ochre and light brown pens.