Kerry Sketchbook

Skellig afternoon
Inktense pencil sketch by Teresa Newham

It's hard to believe that just a month ago we were on holiday in County Kerry!  I took a watercolour sketchbook with me, along with my Inktense pencils and a waterbrush, determined to make the best of whatever the weather could throw at us.

the Skelligs from Valentia Island
© Teresa Newham

The notes say that the Skelligs sketch was made "on location".  In this case, that meant "sitting in the car" - it was breezy outside, and I made the most of the opportunity to spread out my equipment in the warm, while my husband had a little doze.

Ballinskelligs beach
Inktense pencil sketch by Teresa Newham

The following day at Ballinskelligs beach, the weather was changing all the time from moody clouds to sunshine and back again.  I sat on a rock to make this sketch , and only just made it safely back to the car before the heavens opened.

McCarthy Mor Castle, Ballinskelligs
© Teresa Newham

The Inktense pencils were perfect for holiday sketching; I was able to get outlines down quickly and fill in details afterwards, adding extra touches of colour as necessary.  Even in damp weather they dried promptly on the page, and the waterbrush was a joy to use.

Rossbeigh Beach
Inktense pencil sketch by Teresa Newham

At Rossbeigh Beach the tide was in, but it didn't matter, as a howling gale meant we had no desire to get out of the car.  I didn't do justice to the stunning scenery, but it's an excellent rendition of how I was feeling after two glasses of Guinness the night before.

clouds at Rossbeigh Beach
© Teresa Newham

My final sketch was done indoors, looking out of a window at the fields beyond.  Until you looked closely there didn't seem to be much going on, but I found quite a lot to put down on paper, especially when I imagined it from a different angle.

Millie's view
Inktense pencil sketch by Teresa Newham

We came away fully refreshed, with many happy memories, a bunch of souvenirs, a few sketches and a lot of photos -  so I suspect I'll be making some more Kerry-based artworks before too long!

the foot of the mountain
© Teresa Newham