Cafe Sketches: Sparrows Steal the Spotlight in Algarve Sunshine
Portugal Travel and Cafe Sketching
The aroma of a freshly brewed Americano mingles with the chirping chorus of house sparrows in my favourite sun-kissed Algarve cafe. These feathered bandits are fearless, audaciously snatching crumbs from unsuspecting patrons. While my usual holiday sketches depict blooming botanical illustrations or lovely landscapes, this Portuguese trip ignited a new passion for bird drawings: capturing the playful spirit of these cheeky creatures.
Sketching Feathery Friends
As a fine artist currently focusing on botanical still life, my subjects tend to stay firmly in one place. These sparrows were anything but! Having gained a little practice in drawing birds from online images during the Christmas holidays, I was familiar with the general form of small garden birds. However, drawing the static, well-behaved shapes of common chaffinch from a photograph is a far cry from bouncy little cafe critters. A spark kindled from these still images, and the vibrant Portuguese cafe and cheeky sparrows offered the perfect opportunity to ignite that spark.
Wildlife Observation
Armed with my sketchbook and pencils, I frequented the cafe, transforming my favourite table into an observation post. The sparrows, accustomed to the cafe's generous helpings of crumbs, nimbly flit around, looking for ideal moments to snatch a tasty morsel. Their little heads cock to one side as they assess the plates in various stages for completion. Capturing their fleeting movements on the page was a delightful challenge.
Bringing Sparrows to Life on the Page
Some of the birds, more patient than others, would linger for a while, waiting for the right moment to swoop in. This allowed me to capture their distinctive markings and get to know their little personalities. It felt like a privilege to watch them go about their business, their delicate little legs boldly perched on the backs of chairs and edges of tables, strategically planning their next move.
Throughout the cafe visits, I moved from graphite pencil drawing to embracing the vibrant hues of coloured pencils and the playful texture of wax pastels. These mediums captured the contrast between the sparrows' sculpted wing and tail feathers with their fluffy little bodies. Each day, the drawings seemed to become looser, with quick dashes and marks suggesting the busy movements of the birds and their playful spirit. More than just sketches, they became gestural portraits, each sparrow with unique charm and expression.
Nature Journaling
My sketchbook isn't just about capturing fleeting moments on paper. I've been using it as a journal of sorts. While the drawing happens on the right-hand page, the blank pages on the left are now for words. Here, I jot down the materials for each sketch, the time of day, the atmosphere, and even my fleeting thoughts and emotions. These notes go beyond the technical, becoming a diary of each sketching session's sights, sounds, and sensations.
This dual approach of sketching and journaling side-by-side holds a unique charm. It allows me to capture both my subject's visual essence and the accompanying emotions and experiences. In this case, the frantic scribbles of the sparrows pair with my observations and musings on the joy of slowing down and embracing the present.
Delight in Nature's Small Wonders
It wasn't just about the art, though. Observing these tiny creatures, their friendly social interactions and the way they danced seamlessly between tables reminded me to slow down and appreciate these simple joys. Life often rushes by, a blur of activity much like the actions of these lovely little birds. Watching them busy in activity mingled with sunshine and alfresco cafe chatter, I found myself present, truly seeing the world around me.
Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places
These sketches might be the beginning of a new love or simply a joyful break from the norm. These sparrow portraits might take on a new life, like the kitchen windowsill drawings that blossomed into the Kalanchoes collection. Perhaps they'll find their way into a new series or a repeating pattern or two, a testament to the unexpected beauty found in everyday moments. Maybe they'll stay tucked inside the pages of my sketchbook, a reminder of the day I swapped botanicals for birds and found inspiration in an unexpected place.
So, tell me, dear reader, have you ever found inspiration in the most unlikely places? Have you ever slowed down and observed the beauty around you? Please share your stories in the comments, and let's celebrate the small wonders that make life so rich.
Would you like to see my latest collection?
The Bottle & Branch collection is available to view in the portfolio, and paintings and greeting cards of the collection are available in the shop.
Journal Notes
Photographers images used in this journal entry are the work of Kate Cullen and George Groves.