The small landscape study, a plein air sketch in gouache colors, was done for the postcard exchange going on within the Sketchercise group. It is fully in the tradition of the 18th century and later traditional expressions in landscape painting, preferably on oil. John Berger describes the traditional art of oil painting in his book [...]

Buy this sketch as postcard After half an hours walk in the woods I noticed that I had forgotten to fill my water bottle (500 ml). So I had to take a little detour through the thicket to reach an artificial fish breeding pond. from there I made my way to the edge of the [...]

A piece of beautiful blue sky framed by some beech trees caught my attention, made me stop and do a gouache sketch. I really enjoy the beginning of these sketches when everything is a possibility and the colours can be dropped and splashed around. Buy this sketch as postcard on Zazzle

This is a quiet forest path, people rarely walk here. The birds were very active on this morning. Young woodpeckers made such a noise that I had to choose another place. I regret that I was not able to catch the vivid contrasts of light and shadows in and under the canopy of the trees. [...]

This is a study of a typical forest in the so-called Stromberg area near Maulbronn. Oak and beech trees are the most common trees here. There are some pines trees and only a few areas with spruce and Douglas fir. The images do not need much commentary I think, it is obvious how the sketch [...]

There are not many conifer forest around here. Therefore a spruce tree forest of a few acres offers a somewhat exotic atmosphere in comparison to the oak and beech trees. On my last visit I had done a quick ink study of trunks and spent some more time with photographs of the intriguing light and [...]

The many spring greens already merge into the more or less uniform,saturated and dull summer green. The images above show how the latest sketch developed. The advantage of gouache is that it is opaque and it is possible to paint in layers. Especially for depicting foliage this property can be very helpful as it is [...]

Buy this sketch as postcard on Zazzle Spring and spring landscapes are a big temptation and a source of frustration for painters…trouble is spring foliage does drive people to tears! Unless you do not care and just love to dabble happily with your colours as I did on this beautiful sunny morning in the woods. [...]

Buy this sketch as postcard on Zazzle I had made a mental note of this place on one of my recent excursions through the thickets. A remote place away from the walkers highway. Only the farmers are around on the fields with their spraying machines, but I got this one done before I had to [...]

Spring is here, every day…almost every hour changes become visible. Spring seems to be the fastest season. In 2-3 weeks all the fresh greens, the white and pinkish blooming will be over. I rushed out after work to do a quick sketch…