We have been camping at my favourite campground in the High Sierra mountains for many years now because of the cooler temperatures. Every year, I think about painting the beautiful mountains that surround the campground. However, we always end up walking the mountain trails, playing board games, reading and perusing the night sky with my telescope instead.
Last time I was feeling too sick to paint en plein air. So I made a quick sketch in my logbook noting down the colours. As soon as I felt a little better at home, I finished the painting.
Since I was at home, I was tempted to use a wider palette for the painting, but I decided to stick to my travelling paintbox instead. I wanted to familiarize myself a lot more with my travel palette and switch out colours if needed.
I removed the clips that holds the pans in place to be able to fit in 4 more half pans in the middle of the 8-half-pan Fome palette, making it a 12-pan palette. With the clips missing, the pans were loose. I glued magnets to the bottom of the pans to keep them in place. The box is tiny, smaller than a pack of playing cards. I love that size so much that I have 2 of them. I got mine at Jerry’s Artarama.
Since I usually travel during colder times, my palette is a bit on the broody side. However, if needed, I can easily mix warm, sunny colours with them as I did for this painting. I will write a full post on my travel palette one day.
Painting the mountains was a wonderful way to be transported there all over again.
Nights are getting cooler around here and I have been knitting again. I realised that I never showed the hat I had already made before going to Scotland earlier this year.
I used a pattern called Winter Wish. It includes both a chart and written instructions, which I prefer. I added one extra pattern repeat to fit my large head (I am not joking) and a few more rows of the garter stitch rib. I learned Brioche stitch for this hat; it turned out to be simpler than I had imagined.
Youtube tutorial by Very Pink Knits for Brioche Stitch.
Youtube tutorial by The Unapologetic Knitter for Brioche In the Round.
The hat kept me toasty warm on the cold and windy days in Scotland. I even lent it to my husband as he got sick half-way through our visit. He liked it so much that he requested I make one for him as well. The hat I had made for him was not quite as warm as this one.
You have heard me say, warm knits always make me think of faraway places. Can’t wait to cast one for him.
I made progress with the alphabet series painting. B took a long time to think of all the details I wanted to include. My sketchbook travels with me and I within it. I am now ready to ink and watercolour it. Can you guess what it is?
Until next time,
-Soma
I am also linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
39 thoughts on “Imaginary Travels”
Sara Chapman in Seattle USA October 20, 2018 at 14:39
That hat! It’s a stunner. What a lovely talent you have.
nessjibberjabberuk October 19, 2018 at 13:14
The bookshelves look like something out of Flourish & Blott! I love your final painting of your Sierra Mountains trip. You’ve been very restrained using just your travel paintbox.
Tammie October 17, 2018 at 19:27
lovely to see you painted when you got a chance to do it.
I find painting real things, mountains, friends etc. is an intimate experience. To really look and see and to listen to the spirit of it, so helpful and intimate.
Your hat and drawing are wonderful. Cozy hat and interesting art.
Sandra Walker October 17, 2018 at 08:17
I love that hat, and I want to learn Brioche stitch too. Like you, I have a big head; my mum always had to try on our bonnets as she knitted them to see how they were fitting, and it was always, “eee, Sandra, I have to knit MORE rows still!” Good brains within. Love seeing your paintings as always, and I love how you said your sketchbook travels with you and you within it. :-)
Becca // Pretty Piney October 17, 2018 at 07:18
I will forever be in awe of people who turn out a “quick sketch” that looks so lovely.
Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!
Kelly Anne Rothaermel October 17, 2018 at 06:38
I really like the hat! Hope you have a wonderful week.
Heidrun October 17, 2018 at 03:03
It’s a pleasure to read your Post, to see the beautiful captures, your Artwork.
Heidrun xxx
Sue H October 16, 2018 at 10:33
I am not a painter. Your work amazes me.
Angie October 15, 2018 at 20:49
B is for bookshelf? Love your hat design, and the yarn color helps bring out the pattern – nice choice!
Su-sieee! Mac October 15, 2018 at 14:44
A stained glass window? An archway with shelves in a library?
Your hat looks comfy-cozy and warm.I like the design. I see a forest in it.
Your mountain scene is soul soothing. I’m into blues right now so your sky is most appealing to me.
Carol October 14, 2018 at 02:35
You’re very talented; I love your paintings.
Anne October 14, 2018 at 00:42
Lovely painting and I think your sketch is a bookcase, it looks very intriguing. I love your hat, I can’t knit but I do love to crochet, I’m currently making scarfs but I think I’ll throw in a hat or two for the colder weather x
#Sundaysnap
Karen October 12, 2018 at 14:19
Beautiful artwork. A lovely warm looking hat.
denthe October 12, 2018 at 14:01
Such a beautiful painting …. Yes, it’s getting to that time of year again when I start knitting too :-) That’s a nice hat! Happy PPF!
Beth October 12, 2018 at 13:27
My Beloved was a fan of the Sierra Mountains and camped there a lot. I adore your painting…it is so lovely.
Tarang Sinha October 12, 2018 at 13:22
It’s lovely. Thank you for the detailed descriptions.:)
Susan October 12, 2018 at 12:32
Love your painting! And I can feel that clean cool mountain air. Your hat looks quite complicated. I am with you, I prefer the directions to the charts but I knit in the summer (during baseball season) and deliver the goods as the temps drop up north. Happy PPF
Dixie October 12, 2018 at 12:07
Wonderful painting, Soma.
Your hat does look so warm and the yarn looks very soft and lofty.
Bibliotheque filled with practical magic, spell books, alchemy books, perhaps? I love the drawing.
Sarah October 12, 2018 at 10:57
Lovely watercolour work :) Happy PPF from No 23 :D
Jean Marmo October 12, 2018 at 08:54
Your painting is just wonderful! Such a pretty hat!
Jan October 12, 2018 at 07:49
Knitting and painting…great duo for busy hands
Lovely painting and hat~
Christine October 12, 2018 at 06:10
Beautiful painting and lovely knitting!
Lisa October 12, 2018 at 05:55
The painting is just beautiful Soma and I love your hat. It’s a very beautiful pattern and the wool suits it to a T. I also have a large head so I can believe you!
Nicole/DVArtist October 12, 2018 at 05:38
Lots of lovely art and that hat is amazing. Well done.
Linda K October 12, 2018 at 05:08
beautiful mountain scene-your watercolor art is so lovely! Your knitted hat looks fab- great stitching. I tried a few times but just can’t get it. Thanks for joining AJJ again, and happy PPF!
Erika N October 12, 2018 at 03:01
Gorgeous travel journal and Ilike the hat too. I especially like the hat to be and the pattern layout in your sketchbook. Fall is great for knitting, isn’t it? Hugs-Erika
froebelsternchen October 12, 2018 at 02:18
You are such a creative artsist! I love your watercoloring! Thank you for joining in at Art Journal Journey! Happy weekend!
Tracey October 12, 2018 at 00:30
So much loveliness to see, you must be so glad you documented your visit in your notebook, amazing sites always stay vivid within our memories. I always add extra pans to my travelling watercolour tin changing with the season.
Happy PPF & Thank you for sharing Tracey.
Marly October 11, 2018 at 23:53
How talented you are! I love your story of adapting your paint box. that makes me want to try too! The hat is pretty and definitely functional. Thank you for the links to the brioche knitting tutorials; something I’ve been investigating recently.
Kaja October 11, 2018 at 23:33
I like your painting and hat, but what I enjoyed most this time where your lovely photos, of the sketchbook and the palette – somehow they make me want to load up a palette and have a go!
Bleubeard and Elizabeth October 11, 2018 at 23:07
You paint SO well. I think it is incredible. I personally LIKE moody. It has a better atmosphere.
I have to agree with Susan about the letter B. I was also thinking bookcase.
I see you have once again linked to Art Journal Journey. It was good to see you there again, Soma.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth October 11, 2018 at 23:10
I just read your comment about sending an e-mail. I’m a no-reply blogger since I don’t use e-mail at all unless I am forced to. I hope you understand because I have also been told my e-mail spits out spam.
Fred October 11, 2018 at 23:04
Love your painting, and hat ;)
Lady Fi October 11, 2018 at 21:44
An amazing painting!
Mary October 11, 2018 at 16:19
I LOVE your knitted cap. The stitches are so interesting. Your little palette is so tiny and nice. That is perfect for traveling. Of course your pencil sketch and mountain painting are superb. You have such a great eye for detail.
Sue Palmer October 11, 2018 at 13:48
Beautiful painting of the mountains, the hat you knitted is beautiful.
Myriam October 11, 2018 at 11:29
I loved your aquarelle.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare October 11, 2018 at 10:40
It sounds like painting when you get home becomes an extension of your holiday. It’s a great way to remember. I love your hat. It’s a very nice pattern and looks great with the yarn you’ve used :)
Susan October 11, 2018 at 07:51
Nice painting of the mountains, beautiful hat, and I am guessing it is a bookcase painting you have sketched out.