This sketch was done during our Yangtze river cruise, when the cruise ship stopped to let people off for a day excursion. We didn’t go on the trip and just relaxed on the ship. This was the lovely view we had from the little balcony we had outside our cabin…who could ask for more? The buildings were sheltering a pathway which took hundreds of tourists up to a local village.
Mon-7-Aug-2017
After Shanghai we took a day long train journey to Yichang to start our cruise of the Yangtze River. Here is one of the passengers…of course using her phone to stave off the boredom.
Sun-6-Aug-2017
When it finally stopped raining on our second day we went for a walk along the ‘Bund‘ – a waterfront with historical buildings on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other. This is obviously not the historical view! I attracted quite a few people when sketching this – a bit disconcerting at times, but I’ve grown used to it. My strathmore sketchbook doesn’t do too well on double page spreads – the only disadvantage with it.
Sat-5-Aug-2017
Here is another sketch done on second day in Shanghai on our sightseeing bus tour. On the upper deck of the bus the windows were open and the rain poured in…even when we went downstairs the rain got in somehow!
Sat-5-Aug-2017
On our second day in Shanghai we got on a hop on-hop off city tour bus. It rained most of the day and we were pretty soaked. Towards the end we visted the Oriental Pearl Tower area and took shelter in a Starbucks for a much needed coffee. I took the chance to draw the surrounding towering buildings.
Sat-5-Aug-2017
On our first day in Shanghai we foolishly decided to walk (in the heat of the day) to the Yu Gardens (a historic garden first built in the Ming Dynasty). We were hot and tired by the time we got there and had our first experience of the incredible crowds you get at major tourist spots in China. Even so we enjoyed the visit and I had a chance to do this sketch.
Fri-4-Aug-2017
Here is an extra drawing I did while on holiday (in the usual ink and watercolour, but with a bit of added pastel too). I enjoyed drawing the tree but wasn’t so pleased with the background. Despite being at the beach, halloween decorations were everywhere!
This is the last sketch I did (in ink, watercolour and watercolour pencils) while we were on our little holiday in Laiya – done on the morning of Tue-25 when we left. The strange trunk-like thing with the orange top is a rolled up beach umbrella!
I painted this (ink, pencil, water-colour and water-colour pencils) on our second day at La Luz beach resort. We spend most of our time relaxing with this fantastic view and swimming with beautiful fishes, hundreds of which can be found only metres away from the beach.