I don’t normally draw landscapes but I always take a sketchbook with me when I’m travelling. Here’s a sketch I made from the window of my bedroom at the hostel in Bisham, Pakistan. It was my first sight of the Karakoram mountain range – spectacular. More people should think about holidaying in Pakistan – the Northern Territories are fairly safe and the scenery is out of this world. The people are also incredibly friendly and it’s so cheap. We were en route to the Hunza Valley, high up near the border with China.
When I came home, I produced this unique monotype using the 3-colour reduction technique I learned from Indian/American artist Vinita Voogd.
Bisham was unfortunately affected by the dreadful earthquake of 2005 that left almost 80,000 people dead in Pakistan. We arrived in Bisham when it was dark but when we woke up and strolled around the village we were horrified to see much of it still under many feet of rubble, two years on, knowing that people still lay beneath the earth. It reminded me of a local tragedy in my childhood, when a tip in the nearby village of Aberfan collapsed onto a local school, killing most of the children and teachers. Despite the bright colours, when I look at the monotype, I am overcome with sadness.
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I too remember Aberfan Rosie.. I was 12 and a half when it happened.. and it stuck with me forever..
It’s never left me either…….
love the clean lines too but i love the burst of colour in the 2nd one. these would look good overlaid
Thank you 🙂
Very nice. And in color, even more very nicer.
Thanks Hansi 🙂
Beautiful! I love them both! They really stand out! 😀
Thank you. the sketch is tiny.
That is beautiful, clear to see how engaged you were with the place.
Thank you. It was a beautiful place, but so tragic too.
This is a great sketch. i like the monotype and would be interested to know how your did this. However, your first sketch stands out for me. i like the clean lines and the efficiency whereby you collect your information for your later finished piece.