Shadows
Schattenspiel, Pastell,13×13 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen
This is another warm-up from last week. The sailingship Banjard has got these white masts and the morning sun plays her wonderful game of shadows.
International Maritime Museum Hamburg
Sketchbook, 2011, Astrid Volquardsen
Last weekend we went to the International Maritime Museum in Hamburg. Originally we wanted to stroll around the harbor, but a thunderstorm made us go into the exhibition. I sat down to sketch in a corner where they display and explain the function of pulleys. Some of them are quite old and I could smell a strong odor of salt and sea .
Framed Banjard Details
Banjard / Detail I-III, each 13×13 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen
We put the pastels in a frame without a passepartout. They are behind a glass and seem to float behind it. Unfortunately this fotograph can’t show the beautifull glow of the oroginal pastels.
On board of the Banjard
Banjard/ Detail I, 13×13 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen
In the warm morning sunlight the shadows glow on the sailingships. These small pastels are now my warm ups at the beginning of my studio time. It’s great fun.
Banjard/ Detail II, 13×13 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen
Café Lichthof
Door of Café Lichthof, Pastel, 12×12 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen
On the German side of the Flensburg Fjord lies the picturesque village of Falshöft. Here the Fjord opens out to the Baltic sea. The village is mostly known for its lighthouse where couples can get married. But it also has this beautiful little small Cafe, where they offer the most delicious cakes. We had an egg liqueur cake with Rote Grütze . Rote Grütze is a red berry pudding topped on the cake. Mmmm….
The pastel above shows a detail of the front door, which is very typical for the old farm houses in the north of Germany.
Sketch, 20×40 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen
Danish Hot Dogs at Langballigau
It is really nice to go for a bike ride along the German side of the Flensborg Ford, as long as you don`t mind the rolling hills.
At the end of your trip you can have a nice rest in a small town called Langballigau where we found this place which sells original danish Hot Dogs. Delecious!
Sketch, 20×22 cm, 2011
© Astrid Volquardsen
As we sat there and enjoyed the warm sunshine, a father with his two small sons appeared (4 and 6 years old) and ordered some Hot Dogs.
The lady behind the counter asked the younger of the brothers: « Do you have everything with your Hot Dog?« to which he replied: »No, nomustard, please. « And quickly added: « And no mushrooms!«
Painting grounds
The other day I talked with some pastel artists about different pastel grounds and trying out new options.
Well, I thought, I give it a try.
Mm, I don`t know about this combination.
Lucky one I am, I have a brand new material at hand.
O.K. this looks much better, but maybe I could push it a bit further
with a combination of an underpainting and another ground.
Ahh, that’s great.
Guten Appetit!
