PORTFOLIO > Sketchbooks

Painting and drawing outside 'Plein Air' is an important part of my creative process. It provides me with the inspiration for my paintings and prints and acts as a visual diary during my camping and walking trips. It cements the landscapes that I explore into my memory. For me painting outside on location is all about learning how to see. I like to paint in Gouache and make notes to trigger my memory when working back in the studio. Usually I sit down on the ground and paint from a low vantage point. I paint what is directly in front of me but sometimes I move around and paint different view points on the same page merging different aspects of a landscape together.

I make my own sketchbooks using the Coptic Stitch binding method which enables me to choose my own papers. By the time my sketchbooks have travelled many kilometres around the large state of Western Australia they are quite battered. Each painting or sketch is 'just an exercise' and this enables me to fully relax into the process of making art when outside.

Plein Air Sketchbook Jan - May 2024
Gouache, marker and graphite on mixed papers
A3
2024
Studies from Mount Leseuer National Park
Gouache and Art Graf on paper
2023
York Gums at Mount Gibson Sanctuary
gouache on brown paper
A3
2023
Jarrah at Mount Lindsey, Denmark Region
Ink block and gouache on paper
A3
2023
Bibbulmun track sketchbook study
Gouache and crayon on brown paper
A3
2023
Thompsons Cove sketchbook study
Gouache and crayon on brown paper
A3
2023
Marri Tree, Porongorups
Ink block and crayon on paper
A3
2022
Accordion Sketchbook - Bibbulmun Track
Gouache and ink on paper
29cm x 150cm each
2022
Wireless Hill sketchbook study
Art graf colours and marker on paper
A3
2022
Wongan Hills walk, sketchbook study
art graf colours and marker on brown paper
A3
2022
Paruna Sanctuary study
Ink block, gouache and marker on paper
A3
2022
Accordion Sketchbook - Dryandra Woodlands
Ink block and gouache on paper
29 x 75cm
2022