A little town drawing

Today I decided to try out my new watercolour brushes that I bought the other week.  I've been needing new brushes for ages but there aren't any good art shops near where I live.  I finally managed to get to a Hobbycraft though and got myself some Daler-Rowney Aquafine brushes. I needed really small sizes as I like to work quite small with a lot of detail. You can really feel the quality in the hairs and when I tried them out it was even more apparent. They hold the watercolour beautifully and the detail I can get with them is exactly what I was looking for.

I had recently completed a line drawing based on my home town and thought it would be perfect to try out the brushes. I use a Windsor and Newton Cotman Watercolour set which I've had for quite a few years now.  It's been about eight years I think, so that's pretty good going. I'm planning to get a smaller set for travelling about as when it's sunny it's nice to sit and sketch with watercolours.  I did have a look for a set in Edinburgh the other day but didn't quite find what I'm looking for. 

After quite a few hours of layering up (pictured with with the watercolour set, I'm about half way), I eventually finished off the piece with a few scribbles of coloured pencil.  I often like to do this to add a bit of texture at the end.

The finished piece actually lives in my newest sketchbook which is my favourite kind: a Fabriano Venezia sketchbook. It's hard to describe it without sounding a bit obsessed.  The look, the feel, the paper quality and thickness, it's just perfect.  I couldn't recommend it enough, and you can buy them easily on Amazon and other retailers online in a variety of sizes. It's a lovely feel to finish the day having completed a drawing and I'm hoping to try out my new pens tomorrow.