watercolour, pen and wash
We finished our meal and looked for the waiter. He was otherwise occupied in a series of activities which didn’t involve us. I started doing a drawing. 
15 minutes later we had paid, and the drawing was done.
It was a good meal though. In Crete, one must slow down and enjoy the view.
Here are some very quick pencil sketches.
It’s a challenge to try to make a drawing in 45 seconds – but somehow liberating. The artist has to loosen up and concentrate, both at the same time. As does the Model.
17th century monastery on the Akrotiri Peninsula, western Crete. A working monastery, with 5 monks, and adjacent vineyards and olive groves. A beautiful and sacred place.
Pen and ink. The tone is diluted ink, and was tricky to put on, as it dried quickly in the heat, and can’t be lifted as watercolour can. It’s “De Atramentis document ink” which is formulated for signing legal documents. Once on, it can’t be removed. This is good for pen and wash, because the dilute watercolour does not lift the ink.
Here’s the sketch before adding the tone:
About 1hr30.
A very quick sketch, 5 minutes, coloured later.
From the Turkish Fort at Aptera.
Robert Pashley sketched a section of the wall in 1833, noting its ‘polygonal’ stones. All the stones looked polygonal to us. We found the section he drew, though.
The view from next to the washing line.
Shadows moved whilst I was drawing.
About 1hr30.
From the entrance to the orchestra.
This was a quick sketch. The longer drawing was from under the tree at the top left.
Ancient Greek and Roman theatre, first constructed 3rd century BC, modified by the Romans 1st century AD. In the 20th century it was used as a lime kiln, remains of which were still there when we first visited here in 2009. In the last 5 years the remnants of the lime kiln have been removed, and the theatre is much restored. EU funding acknowledged on the notices.
Drawn and coloured on location. About an hour.
Objects on a glass table. The paint dries quickly in the sun.
A quick sketch on location, wash done at home later.
I stood in front of Bethany House, built 1882-4 for the Sisters of Bethany, and now a hostel for homeless women.
Lloyd Street constructed 1830s. Post Office Tower (now the BT Tower) completed 1964.
A bit of Wykeham House is on the right. It’s a brick built, Art Deco type building. I was sitting on the steps of the flats, behind the iron railing. Twice during my drawing, residents edged past me, very politely, trying not to disturb me.
On an adjacent building, Waynfleet House, I saw a notice:
“This tablet commemorates the official opening of these buildings by
THE RT REV RICHAD GODFREY PARSONS the Lord Bishop of Southwark
on Saturday 14th May 1938.”
The badge was that of the “Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England”.
In the Southwark Council publication “South of Union Street and North of Borough Road Character Area Appraisal 2007” I read that:
“There are a number of sites which contribute poorly to the character and appearance of the area and the historic environment. As such it is recommended that they be nominated for re-development”.
Wykeham House and its neighbours is so listed. The group is also excluded from the “Union Street Conservation Area” currently on the Southwark Council Website.
This is a pity, in my view. They have these lovely curved bricks which I have tried to draw, and represent this period of architecture well.
Jane Sketching 