More from Todos Santos

During our week in Todos Santos I snapped iPhone photos of family members, the fabulous Hotel San Cristobal, just outside of town, where we stayed several nights – and our equally wonderful AirbandB ((Flora Del Mar B&B) in Todos Santos. Once I returned home, I knew I would enjoy re-experiencing the sights, sounds and smells as I drew and painted from the photos.

This is a 7x10” gouache painting of the beach in front of the hotel. I fought my tendency to start with ink with this painting – though I did use some pencil to define the beach chairs. There’s so much more texture I could add to the beach, but something told me to just stop here. It’s so easy to overwork a little painting like this, especially if you haven’t mastered how to render the fine details.

Here’s a 7x10” watercolor sketch of potted cacti and a stairway at the Hotel San Cristobel. Once again, I used the brush (rather than an ink pen) to make the simplified lines. I can see ways to improve this sketch but I do like the pot and plant on the right, especially after I added the burgundy color to that plant.

I wish I was skilled enough as an artist to capture the looks of love, joy, and happiness on the faces of the bride and groom all week in Todos Santos. Perhaps someday. Meanwhile, for me, even these little paintings help me store all that happiness in my memories.

Drawings and paintings done after I travel help me experience the special times twice – once as they happen, and then again, more slowly, as I sketch. I feel so lucky to be able to extend my savorings through paper, pen, brush, and paint.