#karuizawa
5 things to do in Karuizawa - Your Japan
Another article I wrote for Your Japan introducing 5 things to do in Karuizawa. Karuizawa is a place full of nature and luxurious resorts and villas. It makes for a romantic couples getaway and also has enough fun things to do for a trip with family or friends.
I tried to redo this watercolor painting of a cute store I saw with Kana in Karuizawa last fall. We went there for some Ghibli inspired location hunting and I took many photos of interesting retro buildings.
I painted this one, once already during a YouTube live stream that you can watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7CiCm5qY1g
See the previous version HERE!
In the live stream, I sketched the building while looking at the reference photos I took. The image came out OK, but I thought that even though it was nice and well detailed it lacked this particular “liveliness” and warmth that I try to put into my works.
I decided to re-paint the whole thing, this time without using any references, I just worked on what I had in my memory. With this approach, I was a bit more free to draw and paint what I imagined the shop would look like in “my art world”.
I also uploaded this painting to my Society6 account if you want a print!
https://society6.com/mattjabbar/s?q=new
Tools:
- Mijello 26 colors watercolors set
- WaterFord white 300g HOT pressed watercolor paper
- Blackwing pencil
- Conté à Paris Pierre Noire 2B Sketching Pencil
Post link
in my previous post, I showed you a sketch I did of the famous Mampei Hotel located in Karuizawa. While staying there we went with Kana on long walks to explore the popular villa town sprawling around, making a lot of photos.
I wanted to make a sketch based on one place that I liked in particular - an old-style shop (as usual).
I also did this sketch as an opportunity to test again the IndiGraph fountain pen that is meant to be used with waterproof India inks. This time I was able to use the new EF nib that I got for testing and I have to say that I like the pen a lot more now. The line is thin and stable enough so I can also sketch with the pen on non-textured paper (like hot pressed watercolor paper or in my sketchbooks) and has lines similar to a 0.3mm fineliner. I also have the F nib to play with later.
You can see how this picture was made in a full-length video HERE.
Tools:
- Mijello 26 colors watercolors set
- WaterFord white 300g HOT pressed watercolor paper
- IndiGraph pen (F nib)
- Carbon ink (waterproof)
- Pencils etc.
Post link
Asamayama, Japan - Mount Asama, seen from Karuizawa. This volcano is located in central Honshu, and still active even as of today. However, this picture here is around 100 years old.
Post link
