Paris Sketchbook: Picnic essentials

  

We're packing up essentials for one last picnic in Paris.

Paris Sketchbook: Uptown shopping bags

 

Uptown shopping bags from the Champs-Elysées shops.

Paris Sketchbook: Moulin Rouge

 

The top of the Moulin Rouge building.

Paris Sketchbook: La vie en rose

Paris Sketchbook: Au revoir, Paris.

Paris Sketchbook: View of the Louvre

 
 

Here's a pretty view of the Louvre from the banks of the Seine, from in front of the Orsay museum. It was early morning and we enjoyed our patisserie treats here, before the crowds set in.

 

That's me! Where are all the other tourists?

 

Paris Sketchbook: Louvre classics

Johannes Vermeer's 'Milkmaid.'

We toured the Delacroix and Louvre museums yesterday and are heading back to the Orsay today for some more ahhhht.  These fun sketches were inspired by these magnificent classic paintings from the Louvre—old friends that I never miss seeing when I visit Paris. I had fun sketching some of my favorite Masterpieces. Above is Vermeer's 'Milkmaid.'

Jacques-Louis David's 'Portrait of Madame Rèclaimer.'

Jacques–Louis David's 'Napoleon Crossing the Alps.'

Rigaud's 'Portrait of King Louis XIV.' The man, the myth, the legend...

Paris Sketchbook—sculptures, Musée du Louvre

 

We were enchanted, once again by these three favorite sculptures—and many others—at the Louvre Museum today. Each time we view them—with different lighting or from various angles—t produces a spine-tingling result.

Paris Sketchbook— Les Deux Magots

 

It's a cool foggy morning here in Paris, but we are warmed and fueled, by ridiculously rich and velvety hot cocoa from Les Deux Magots cafe. We are ready to stroll this beautiful city.

 

Paris Sketchbook—Fleurs sign

I love this sweet little flower shop sign because of the contrast between its scrolling art nouveau metalwork—bathed in glorious patina—and its modern neon lettering.

Paris Sketchbook—L'escargot

Tonight's dinner included, among myriad culinary delights, a dozen of these delectable morsels from L'escargot, this particular restaurant's speciality. Butter and garlic make anything taste delicious, oui?

Paris Sketchbook: The Quai d'Anjou

This is the view from Pont Sully looking down on the Quai d'Anjou, and in the background you see bits of the Louvre.

Paris Sketchbook—eclairs

Eclaires for you! With all manner of gorgeous sweet treats here in Paris, (okay—gorgeous savory treats also) I have a sneaky feeling that I'll make a lot of 'foodie' sketches on this trip.

Paris Sketchbook series!

We're back in Paris! 

Inspiration abounds in the city of light, 

and I've brought my watercolors with me. Were in a 

darling little apartment on the Rue du scene in the 

Boulevard Saint-Gernmain area of Paris.

Summer sketchbook: Crane's beach

More of my summer watercolors... 

I've got my toes in the sand on a gorgeous, warm 

and sunny September afternoon. 

Where is that chap who comes around 

with the tropical fruity drinks?

Summer sketchbook: Our sunken garden

Chilling in our sunken garden and playing with watercolors. La dolce vita!

Sometimes I like the early sketch stage the best.

a photo, from a slightly different angle