London Days, Part 3

Alexandra Palace watercolor by Meera Rao

Alexandra Palace is an entertainment and sports venue in London, located near Muswell Hill.  "The People's Palace" is fondly referred to as "Ally Pally", and serves as a public centre of recreation, education and entertainment; North London's counterpart to the Crystal Palace in South London. It has beautiful gardens and facilities for  fun paddle boating. 

Birds Trees and Flowers  watercolor by Meera Rao

I sketched some magpies that were hopping around,  a row of trees, and some flowers while sipping  hot tea by a cafe on the grounds of the Alexandra Palace. 

London Days Part 2

The House at Muswell Hill  watercolor and ink by Meera Rao 

The House on the Hill watercolor and ink by Meera Rao 

The Ornate Fireplace  watercolor and ink by Meera Rao 

I am always wondering how loose or tight I ought to sketch or color. Mostly I get carried away and want to put down all colors I see!  Here, the solid feel of the towering  brick house  with the overgrown bushes was as much fun to sketch as the delicate ornate years old fireplace. 

I used  Koi  travel set and Pelikan transparent watercolor paints.  I also quickly learned that the texture of paper was too rough and not made for much detailed work.

London Days Part 1

London sketchbook 2018 page 1watercolor and ink by Meera Rao 

As the dates on page 1 show, we were in London last September.  The very first page of the sketchbook is the last page I usually complete. I like to know the feel of the paper so I don't mess up the very first page of the sketchbook :) Besides, by the end of the trip, I know what I want to draw on the special page ! This page shows the highlights of my trip along with the classic Union Jack and the seal of the city. I loved the ride on the London Eye, the Underground, and the red double decker buses. The iconic Telephone booths of course had to be included!  

Double Rainbow Dulles International Airport  Runway watercolor by Meera Rao

I saw the double rainbow as we were taking off and decided to sketch it. The sketchbook is Arches Aquarelle Carnet de Voyage Travel book 100gms/140lbs, 15 , 6x10" /15x25cms, and cold pressed.  The paper is a bit more textured than I am used to. 

Bird's Eye View of English Fields  watercolor by Meera Rao

The fields below peeking through morning fog as we approached London caught my fancy.  I was still getting used to the paper here! 

London is too full of fogs and serious people. 

Whether the fogs produce the serious people, 

or

 whether the serious people produce the fogs, 

I don't know.

~Oscar Wilde~

So long and Hello

Sunrise Photography by Meera Rao

Sunset Moonrise Photography by Meera Rao 

I wish you all a Color filled Happy Healthy Prosperous Creative 2019