J'aime bien Paris
We had a terrific visit to Paris over Thanksgiving. We arrived (via Frankfurt) on Thursday morning and spent the day in a bit of a jet-lagged fog (I can't sleep on planes) but did quite a lot of drawing. We had Thanksgiving dinner of escargots, foie gras, biftek, and lashings of bordeaux at a bistro in the Latin Quarter.
We started Friday at the Musée D'Orsay. I've only been there briefly
before but this time we made a bee-line for the Van Goghs and Gaugins and then I spent an hour drawing the beautiful old clock in the main room. A wonderful museum.
I had a check list of more than thirty things to draw and, by Sunday morning, Patti had checked off about 80% of them. I had taken reference photos of the remaining subjects and will finish the project at home.
We were very lucky with the weather. One day of blue skies, two overcast, and the first raindrops fell on our cab's windscreen as we got in to travel to the airport. The mercury hovered in the mid 40s most of the time so it was quite comfortable sitting outside most of the time. We would duck into cafés or shops for periodic refreshment.
This sort of three-day drawing trip has a lot to recommend it. We were on the go all day, saw every corner of the City, really studied the sights, and came home with a wonderful souvenir without spending much money. Though the dollar is weak, you can do a trip like this for just over a thousand bucks per person and you will remember it forever.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Bien sur! I did a 6 day version of this in October. I drew in the Rodin museum and the Louvre sculpture courts. And I found the best hot chocolate in the city - Angelina's on the Rue de Rivoli close to L'Orangerie. I think I'm going back in Spring...
Posted by: Sam | December 2, 2004 08:12 AM
Wow these drawings are great: I especially like the Invalides drawing. You captured these lovely art nouveau metro entrances really well. The ink wash works well on these drawings.
Posted by: ecritures | December 2, 2004 11:22 AM
Thanks for sharing parts of your journey to Paris, showing your GREAT drawings and writing about seeing the city. What a busy and exciting trip. I look forward to each of your "Everyday Matters"
Posted by: Bonnie Schulte | December 2, 2004 01:58 PM
Fabulous drawings and encouragement to do the same! Also, sooooo much easier to fit in a long weekend than a "whole" week or two. You sure do get around!
Posted by: Rita Cleary | December 2, 2004 07:54 PM
emphatic ditto! i look forward to your updates too.
Posted by: chiaroscuro | December 3, 2004 04:56 AM
Wonderful drawings! Glad you had a good trip, and I've a feeling we'll benefit from it in ways such as this.
Posted by: susan | December 4, 2004 10:05 AM
salut!je suis bonne(dont know a word for glad) que tu as un bien fois. je pense que j'ai besoin d'ecouter plus dans la classes de francais aussi. oh well. say hi to the crew for me.
Posted by: morgan | December 4, 2004 08:16 PM
Wonderful drawings, I am nostalgic for Paris (as usual).
This is a very dull question and probably one you get asked all the time, but - what pen are you using? I am trying to find a drawing pen which will take watercolour on top without running.
Posted by: Emma | December 5, 2004 05:06 AM
it seems like you could do the trip for cheaper if you found a nice deal on flights and stayed at a hostel.
I like the pictures since they are relaxing to look at with their smooth curves and not too much detail. they really capture the moment and are interesting enough to keep looking at for a while.
Posted by: einars | December 7, 2004 12:10 PM
love your work- you've inspired me to draw more and try to put it into an organized journal. i'd love to know how long some of your sketches (in every day matters) took you..or is that sacrilege to ask such a question?
Posted by: brian d | December 7, 2004 02:34 PM
Great drawings, I have always wanted to go to Paris...closest I got was London & Scotland.
Been nearly a week since your last post...
Everything OK in Dannnyland?
Posted by: Donavan | December 9, 2004 02:25 AM
Your sketches remind me of Curious George, with the blocks of liquid shadow. And Ronald Dahl. Except with your own unique flaire.
Posted by: Christine | December 11, 2004 02:28 AM