“What have you got in that bag?” the dog must have thought when the girl passed by.
Or what do you think?
Actually I love how this one turned out. I did not expect it.
Tag: Illustration
The formerly green house in Malinalco revisited
Before I left Malinalco I went to take a photo of the formerly beautiful dark green house. Upon leaving town it looked like this. From a different angle this time.
Previously it had looked like this.
Stage 1
Stage 2
I think this has been the best background drawing practice for me… I used to hate drawing backgrounds, but after doing these street scenes it feels a lot easier and a lot more fun.
Ice cream in Malinalco, Mexico
So my time in Mexico is unfortunately over and I am back in Iceland after an amazing 4 day stop over in New York city!
But, I am not done with Mexico yet! There are still so many impressions I want to bring to paper. The sketch book I had with me is still only half full, so I will continue to fill it up with my “snapshots”.
Here is my “self-portait” with ice cream on my last day in Malinalco. The ice cream was delicious. Orange-chocolate and cookie flavour.
On the streets of Malinalco and CDMX
My time in Malinalco sadly has come to an end and I am back in La ciudad de México (CDMX). I still have several unfinished drawings that I am working on, so you will still get to see some more of my impressions of that little Pueblo Mágico.
I feel so much better this time around in CDMX than 3 weeks ago, as I am now able to converse somewhat in Spanish after studying every day, and I am also better used to the altitude and air pollution. So I spend my days walking around enjoying the sun, eating a lot of street food, and I have been visiting one art museum per day.
I have already planned a whole series of drawings inspired by the capital, but those have to wait until I am back in Iceland next week . Unfortunately I’ll be leaving Mexico earlier than planned as a job opportunity came up, so it will be back to grown up life for now. But I will most certainly be back in this fascinating and inspiring country. Until then I am looking forward to my 4 day stopover in NYC next week. Never been, don´t know what to expect.
Meanwhile on the streets of Malinalco during one of my late afternoon walks.
On the streets of Malinalco, Mexico III
This guy, parked on the sidewalk. Second donkey I have seen so far.
At the beach in Tulum, Mexico
This was my bike during the 2 weeks I stayed there. I usually parked it next to these palm trees while at the beach. It was rather rusty because of all the salt and sand but it served me well.
On the streets of Tulum, Mexico XII
Mexican lady in flowery Mayan dress, cycling down the street on this tricycle thing. Another beetle in the background.
On the streets of Tulum, Mexico VIII
There were not as many street dogs around as I would have had expected, but a lot of people actually have dogs. I really miss having a dog. This one was snoozing in front of a paint supply shop.
Observation: It´s too hot to move during the afternoon heat.
Visit at the ice cream parlor
The last picture in my series of ice cream dedicated drawings for the moment. I am pretty sure I will revisit them at some point. I think it was a fun theme to practice drawing and those water colours on.
I was bored the other night at a friends place where I tried out a beautiful set of Japanese watercolours. The inspiration was a photo of the Valdís Ice cream parlor in Reykavik. They bake their own waffles in the back so you always have that delicious waffle smell in your nose upon entering. The ice cream is quite delicious too.
I´ll not only take a break from ice cream but also the land of ice – Iceland – as I ´ll be heading to Mexico for 2 months! To do what, I don´t know yet, but my priorities are to learn Spanish and to get some sun! But I also have my drawing stuff packed and I will see what I come up with while on the road.
Until then, enjoy your ice cream!
Sunday brunch with ice cream
Last day of the week and I thought that a nice pancake lunch would be perfect to finish it off. So dig in!
Had a lot of fun doing these 7 day drawing challenge and might do another one soon. I also ended up buying more watercolours last week so lets see what happens.
Relax and enjoy your Saturday ice cream
I love whiskey. Especially the slightly smoky kinds like Talisker and the more well rounded ones like Glenlivet are perfect on a cozy evening.
Vanilla ice cream is the perfect starter for this Saturday night.
Your well deserved after-work-treat
I am really enjoying this themed 7 day challenge. 2 more days to go.
Finally its Friday and what is better than a cold one straight after work I thought?
Extra sugar on Thursday
The week is more than half way over, so you might need a little bit of extra sugar to keep you going until the weekend.
These ones are more of the typical Icelandic style kind of ice creams that you get at most ice cream parlors. Soft ice cream in a box with any kind of topping you can think of – From Mars bars, to Oreos, Smarties, Skittles, coconut bars, biscuits and much much more and everything topped with chocolate and caramel sauce. Don´t forget the cream!
If that doesn´t give you a sugar high then I don´t know.
It´s all going down on Wednesday
During the last couple of months I definitely got into the positive habit of drawing regularly. After not drawing and painting a lot for the last couple of years I now cannot imaging to do it at least several times a week. They say a new habit takes about 21 days to form. It certainly worked for me. Next step is to try to apply it to my language studies… Spanish next and then back to Icelandic…
I love how this one turned out. It was snowing and I love snow. But it is also time to shovel it up.
Have your pick of ice cream on Tuesday
Day 2 of my 7 day challenge. Monday went well so you can have your pick with your Tuesday ice cream. Which one do you want?
Monday ice cream
I thought about joining another one of those drawing challenges as it was a lot of fun doing Inktober, but I couldn´t find anything that interested me. So I decided to do my own 7 day challenge of one drawing a day… dedicated to ice cream of course! I will keep the ice cream theme up for another week or so because after that I will hit the road and am off to explore Mexico! But more about that later.
For now, fight the Monday blues with your ice cream of the day – Voilà!
It´s a dogs life
A spoiled pooch that cannot get enough. When you are torn between a popsicle or scoops of vanilla & walnut ice cream with chocolate sprinkles on top.
What is your favourite flavour?
That´s it? I´m not convinced.
“The girl at the ice cream parlor talked me into getting pistachio. But I am not convinced. Should have picked walnut instead.”
Another watercolour drawing…. my favourite for the colours so far.
Happy weekend! Go and get some ice cream! I am currently in southern Germany were I enjoy 12+ degrees Celsius.
Ice cream party
“You forgot to give me a spoon but that won´t stop me!”
I did this drawing last month but I only coloured it in the other day. For some reason I didn´t know what to do with it colour wise before that. I now try to think ahead which colours I want to use before creating an overly colourful mess, like I did a couple of times in the past. I think it turned out quite cute.
Melanie Franz 