I like to go for hikes. Unfortunately there are not that many trees here in Iceland to hang on.
Author: Mel
I'm a painter, curious student of life and traveler.
Clouds in the Sky
I love how this one turned out! What do you think?
Inspired by the prompt for #WorldWatercolorMonth – Clouds in the Sky.
First time I also used masking fluid. Made coloring in the background so much easier. Will definitely use it again.
I also finally went back to hoop class last night after several months break due to injury. It was great. It was like I never took a break except for being so tired afterwards that I went straight to bed. But hanging upside down in the air is the best!
Splashing Around
I’ve tried doubles once at the hoop training. It was fun and challenging and everything but elegant.
We did not try this pose though. Neither is my back able to bend like that nor do I think I have the strength to hold someone by the feet. But mainly the back bending thing. 5 years of training improved my back bending somewhat, but I most certainly have no natural flexibility in that area.
Monochromatic Mood
Another prompt of my silghtly delayed #WorldWatercolorMonth.
I haven´t really done anything monochromatic since Inktober, as I usually love to use a lot of colour. But I actually equally enjoyed it and I am looking forward to the Inktober challenge again. Until then, I will focus on colour though.
Icelandic Farm Life
Another prompt from #WorldWatercolorMonth. I turned the farm life into an Icelandic farm life.
At the end of spring, farmers will bring their sheep up into the mountains, where they will roam wild and free during the summer months. In the beginning of September farmers will go out and start gathering them again. This is called Réttir – the annual sheep round-up.
Furry Creatures
Revisited my furry creatures from the forest scene. I quite like them. I feel like they are the perfect mix of cute and creepy. What do you think?
At first I felt lost about what to do with the background. So a day later I added the yellow bubbles which was quite meditative.
Under the Sea
Even mermaids would like to try out aerial hoop.
After the girl in the striped leggings was done with her hoop session, she left, leaving the hoop behind. A mermaid came along and thought: “That looks like fun. I want to try it”. Her pet octopus was everything but excited about the idea and tried to get away.
I am not sure why all the water inspired illustrations. But there is actually a pose called inside / outside mermaid in aerial hoop.
Rainy Days
Actually I did this prompt for #WorldWatercolorMonth before the pelican pictures. But it was simply too sunny and nice for a change, to be reminded of the rain. So now that the rain is back, it is also back to the rainy days. This is how I feel.
I think it´s nice to hang upside down every once in a while. There is actually an aerialist who performs on a giant umbrella instead of an aerial hoop. That is where the inspiration came from for this illustration.
Glorious Golds aka another Pelican!
Another prompt for #WorldWatercolorMonth was Glorious Golds.
I absolutely love how the pelican turned out! I think you can expect more of them in future. The girl was planing to catch the Golden Snitch while hanging in the hoop. Then she got distracted by the pelican, and fed him fish instead.
And why is there a hoop hanging over the water you might ask? Well, if you fall, you fall soft.
Wet & Dry – Pelicans!
Sun is shining! Wet & Dry prompt of the #WorldWatercolorMonth list.
I love pelicans. Saw plenty of them in Mexico and also in Guatemala where they were surfing the waves of the Pacific Ocean. It made me happy everytime I saw one.
Actually I wanted to draw pelicans for a while now but always postponed it. But here they are, watching the girl… or waiting for the fish?
In The Jungle
Still following the remainder of the #WorldWatercolorMonth prompt list.
Therefore in tune with my aerial theme – Pole fitness in the jungle.
#WorldWatercolorMonth – City Life
When I was in Germany last week I treated myself to a beautiful set of Schmincke watercolours. I´m already in love with them and after a week of not drawing, I feel super inspired.
Prompt of the day is city life. And yes, I also used to do the occasional pole pose whenever I would see a street sign or anything that resembled a pole. Have you tried it?
#WorldWatercolorMonth – Sweet treats
Actually I did this 2 weeks ago but didn´t post it because I didn´t like how it turned out. What do you think?
Nevertheless I feel like ice cream now. Now that I am back in Reykjavík, I might just go for an evening ísbíltúr.
At the Dreisam in Freiburg, Germany
Travelled to Switzerland and Germany last week, hence the break on the aerial themed illustrations for the #WorldWatercolorMonth. But I will continue from where I left off in the next week.
Until then, sketch from yesterday. I had a fabulous day with excellent company. We were sunbathing at the Dreisam river in Freiburg. Despite 35 degrees celsius I managed to get these two sketches done. Loved being in the sun for a week. Unfortunately it didn´t last long and I am back to the harsh reality of wet Icelandic summer again.
My friend Elise, having a nap in the afternoon sun. The grass is completely dried out and burned as it hasn´t rained in weeks.
#WorldWatercolorMonth – Casting Shadows
Yes, this pose is possible. I based it on a photo. The black dots are flies… or bees? Maybe they are about to disturb her focus?
#WorldWatercolorMonth – On the beach
I was busy sitting in the sun the last 2 evenings and it was good, today it is back to the usual rain. Therefore, before the sumerfeeling fades, the prompt for day 15 of #WorldWatercolorMonth – On the beach.
#WorldWatercolorMonth – Fast & Loose
Day 13 prompt for #WorldWatercolorMonth. Will try to catch up with the rest tonight or tomorrow. But right now it is super sunny and you never know how long it will last. First sunny day in 3 weeks! Gosh this summer is miserable.
#WorldWatercolorMonth – Forest Animals
Went on an unplaned weekend trip to the country side with no internet connection. Only beer, horses and hot tub which was fabulous, so I am three days behind with drawings.
There was no forest, only a lot of green fields and mountains all around. So this is my aerial acrobatics themed take on the prompt of day 12 – forest animals – for the #WorldWatercolorMonth
#WorldWatercolorMonth – Beautiful Blooms
Day 11 of my aerial hoop & acrobatic themed watercolours. Prompt of yesterday is Beautiful Blooms. I am trying to catch up today with day 12.
#WorldWatercolorMonth – Light & Luminous
Slightly behind, but getting there. Light and luminous prompt of yesterday. Aerial move on a chandelier? Why not.
Edit: I was clearly too lazy yesterday to do a background for this. So when I saw it again today, I felt like I needed to do something immediately about those random yellow blobs. I like it a lot better now. What do you think?
Before:
Melanie Franz 