Hi, thanks for looking at my profile. I started urban sketching about 18 months before I retired. I love the application of permanent ink on watercolor paper, and then the application of several layers of watercolor paint.
Embracing serendipitous ink wanderings, and the sometimes unexpected behavior of watercolors is all part of the fun! The whole process seems to me to be closely aligned with French impressionism, creating quick scenes from everyday life. Apart from commissions, I sketch about half of my work in-situ and half from photographs that I take myself. My favorite tools at the moment are a Sailor fude fountain pen and Daniel Smith watercolors.
I have no formal training in fine art. I studied as an electrical engineer, and then became a patent attorney. The last 8 years of my professional life were spent as Managing Partner of one of Australia's leading intellectual property firms.
My passion for urban sketching was triggered by falling down a YouTube rabbit hole. Looking back though, I can see where my interest has come from. I have always loved art, attending life drawing classes and visiting galleries when I could. The engineer in me understands mechanical line drawings with vanishing points, horizon lines and the like. I have always loved comics (sorry, graphic novels!) with strong line work and color. I love photography and image composition - I think half of any great piece of art is in seeing the image composition in the first place.
Apart from art, my wife and I love to travel, scuba dive, hike and cycle. I love to play golf too. We love being outdoors.
Art is now a permanent part of my life - I love it! Each sketch is a mindful opportunity for me to get lost in an image, and create a piece of art that pleases me and others. Could this evolve into other forms of painting, other forms of art? Maybe, who knows? I'm sure life will continue to have many surprises and pleasures in store.