Inktober Day 6 – Rodent

When life gives you lemons…

A capybara – biggest rodent in the world – taking a swim. These impressive semi-aquatic mammals are found throughout much of northern and central South America.

201006-inktober-rodent-capybara_Melanie Franz

Inktober Day 5 – Blade

It took me a while to figure this one out. And I am not sure where the idea came from in the end. Maybe my need for sun and the beach?

Mr Fox went snorkelling today to look for a precious sea shell.

Inktober 2020 Day 1 – Fish

Woop! Here I was waiting all September for Inktober to start and then the month started without me noticing!

I haven´t touched my ink and pen since January. I totally forgot how much fun it is and it was surprisingly easy to get back into it. Certainly easier than the previous years. I´m going to follow the official prompt list again and maybe something else… Let´s see what happens.

Just follow the light…

Pink Taxi in Mexico City

Another snapshot. Just opposite of Munal (Museo Nacional de Arte) in Mexico City.

I´m trying to be less lazy and put more details into the drawings. I don´t like drawing buildings or urban sketching I realised. So I consider this a good exercise to get back into it and work on perspectives and on my patience.

2009-zocalo-cdmx-taxi_Melanie Franz

México!

A rather lazy drawing. The perspectives are all off. Oh well. The drawing of the CDMX sign turned out much better I think. But I definitely need to work on those perspectives!

But otherwise this is a lovely Mexico installation in the centre of Mexico city.

2009 Mexico city_Melanie Franz

Theft Proof Car

Continuing with my Mexico travel sketch book…

Saw these two patiently waiting in front of a bar on a night out in Roma in Mexico City. What better car theft protection than that?

2009 CDMX_Dog car alarm_Melanie Franz

Caravaggio in Mexico City

I went to a Caravaggio exhibition at the Museo Nacional de Artes in Mexico City back in spring 2018.

I have to admit that I was a little bit disappointed (maybe also my fault as I did not look at the information properly), but they only had one painting by Caravaggio. The rest of the exhibit was about him in form of a multimedia show and artworks by other artists that got inspired by him.

Nevertheless, I learned a lot about his style and especially his use of light and shadow. The museum in general was definitely worth a visit, as it is in a stunning building. Especially the permanent exhibition was great. That´s where I spotted the little horses from yesterday.

Below my impression of the only painting by Caravaggio at the exhibition.

Caballitos in Mexico City

I am not sure at which museum I saw these little horse by the Mexican sculptor Olivero Martínez. I think it was at the Museo Nacional de Arte in the center of Mexico City.

I thought they were absolutely beautiful. Each horse is made from a different material, ranging from marble to bronze and stone.

Martinez_caballito_cdmx_Melanie Franz

Mexico Revisited II

I fell in love with Mexico because of its contrasts and colours. Especially in Mexico City you encounter so many different people. These fancy dressed girls on Avenida Horacio in Polanco, looked ready to hit one of those upscale restaurants you can find here.

I just went to that barrio for lunch and a stroll. Most of the places are way out of my budget.

1810-polanco-CDMX_Melanie Franz

Flying High II

Start of a new week. The pelican series will come to an end soon. As soon as I finish my pelican book!

pelicans flying_Melanie Franz

I realized after drawing the pelican above that I have drawn him before. See below.

5 years are between both drawings. Which one do you prefer? I remember that the one below took me ages to finish. The one above was pretty much a 10 min sketch!

2015 Pelican_Melanie Franz

Flying High

So this week once again just flew by quickly.

As the weather forecast is fantastic for the next couple of days, I will be off to a hiking trip in the Icelandic highlands. I also promise that the pelican series will come to an end soon. Latest when Inktober starts!

Have a great weekend everyone!

pelicans flying high_Melanie Franz

Pelican Landing

The brown pelican is a unique feeder that makes impressive dives from above the surface. They fly just above the surface of the water, then circle high, and when ready dive headfirst, plunging under water to catch fish.

They are able to dive from as high as 30 meters! The deeper the meal the higher the dive.

This pelican landing turned out purple for artistic expression.

20_07 Pelican landing_Melanie Franz

Pelican Offspring

Who has seen a baby pelican? I haven´t. Something unusual about the populations of coastal pelicans is that baby pelicans are never seen. 

Pelicans nest far away in inland or remote locations in large breeding colonies. The pair chooses a relatively flat nest site on gravel, sand, or soil near other pelicans at the same stage of the breeding cycle. In southern, drier regions, they nest amongst sparse vegetation. In forested regions, sites may be under shrubs or trees.

Both parents feed their young.

From about 25 days old, the young pelicans gather in “pods” or “crèches” of up to 100 birds. The parents recognise and feed only their own offspring.

Young Pelican in nest_Melanie Franz

Pelican Hangout

Pelicans are very social birds. They live in large colonies composed of several hundreds of birds. A group of pelicans has numerous collective nouns, including pod, scoop and squadron.

Happy Sunday everyone!

20_07 Pelican hangout_Melanie Franz