Chris Osborne Art 
Slab Cottage
The Story Behind the Urban Sketching
When I went to visit my friends at Toowoomba we took a side trip to Highfields Pioneer Village. I was extremely interested in their fire engine museum because I’m thinking of creating a transport or fire related exhibition in the future.
I came across this wonderful little slab cottage with so many hanging baskets which once painted looked like hanging pumpkins. Just outside was a very clever idea of converting a bike into a hanging succulent garden which I would love to try one day.
My Sketching and Painting Process
Initial Pencil sketch.
Adding waterproof Ink over the pencil so this will not bleed during the watercolour stage.
Pencil marks erased.
Watercolour added loosely just for some basic colour.
Tombo brush pens added for toning and shadows.
Drawing in all the fine details in ink.
Finished artwork with the addition of the sky and more shading to the grass.
I must admit I did struggle with this sketch trying to create a little mood of the dark surrounds without getting the painting too muddy. This style of sketch seems to work on building and objects but not too well with vegetation, or I should say I haven’t mastered it just yet.
Watercolour Paint, Ink & Paper
I use Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour on Arches France Watercolour Paper, 300g Hot Pressed or Fabriano Artistico Watercolour Paper 300g Hot Pressed..
Tombo Brush Pens N15, N45, N55, N60, N65, N95 and Faber Castell Fine-liners 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7
My painting come from my own experiences that I have photographed while traveling. By reading this blog, you as a viewer can now hear The Story Behind the Painting. Where, when, what was happening while I was photographing the wildlife.
Enjoy, Chris Osborne
Chris Osborne Art 