Making Choices

A sketchbook has always been a telescope, a microscope, a compass; my way of exploring and discovering the world. Some of my favorite sketches are nice drawings that I'm happy to have made. Some sketches are full of memories or associations that mean something to me but don't easily translate into other people's lives. As I built up my business of creating prints from my sketches, I've had to make choices between a sketch and a potential finished scene. Here are some examples from my latest sketchbook: Croatia and Amsterdam.

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is a natural choice for my series. Not only is the building a treasure and great fun to draw, its collection is beyond magnificent. I love it, I know it well, and I also know it will be a memory for anyone who visits Amsterdam. My sketch, done from life as always, includes other Amsterdam treasures: canal boats, bicycles, bridges. I used colored pencils for this finished scene - it fits the place and the drawing.

By contrast, this fun little sketch of an Amsterdam cheese shop may only be a nice sketch and a good memory.  I'm not sure it will join the series because I don't think enough people would purchase it as a print. What do you think?

Here's an example from Croatia, from the beautiful ancient city of Split. This pleasant scene doesn't show any of the historical significance but I think it has such a nice sense of Split, the ever present coast, a relaxed atmosphere, the Mediterranean (Adriatic) lifestyle, that it will appeal to Croatia lovers and visitors.

One thing I loved about Croatia was the way daily life and awesome history went hand in hand. A familiar sight everywhere we went was clotheslines - everybody dries their laundry in the open air (very eco-friendly) adding lots of color among the sober browns and greys of the ancient buildings. This Split courtyard was delightful; a garden, nice old buildings, a sky full of laundry. I don't think it will make a finished scene but it's a lovely memory.

Dubrovnik is something of a miracle, with Croatia's signature narrow climbing streets but also with its intact medieval walls surrounding the city. No wonder it catches the eye and imagination of movie and TV producers. I was certainly transported deep into history and relished every discolored old stone and crooked doorway. It's a very popular tourist place so there are good possibilities for scenes that will resonate with visitors. This old church and fountain greet you when you enter through the Pile Gate, and just behind is a starting point for the climb and trek around the walls. It was very rainy when I was there in May, but my finished scene has, by choice, a bit of the warm sun of summer.

I'm adding Croatia scenes to my INPRNT site where you can buy prints whether I'm in my studio or away. The prints are excellent archival quality, come in several sizes and are shipped directly to you. Please take a look. https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/macgregorart/
I'd love to hear your thoughts about my sketches and my scenes. What do you think about choices? Are the quieter simple scenes of interest or do you prefer the better known tourist sites?