Edith Holden`s sketch book.

~ MAGNY TJELTA

Watercolour, Edith Holden

I found a lovely book in a second hand store that I remember from when I was young.  “The country diary of an Edwardian lady” by Edith Holden.  I always wanted to have it and so I grabbed the opportunity.  It was written in 1906 but only published in 1977. It was an enormous success and often given as a gift. According to the Sunday Times newspaper, it was the best selling book in the 1970’s and remains number 4 of the overall best seller list for the last 40 years.

Each month has notes about the important days in the month, interesting information about the month, together with some poetry, entries about the things she did, and sketches and paintings of birds, insects and animals she came across on her regular walks.

It is a beautiful example of how important a journal is. This was obviously done for her own pleasure, but someone (an artist) realized just how inspiring it was and had it published. I find this so interesting. Just think about it, of all the books in the world, one of the best selling books happens to be a beautiful copy of a sketch book! A sketch book that was never intended to be published.

This book gave me lots inspiration, and by the way, it is easy to find a second hand version on Amazon or ebay.

The winter is ending, the  plants and flowers are waking up. So now is a great time to get out there and look for them. Show us all what the new spring is bringing in your area, by drawing and painting what you find for us.

Watercolour, Edith Holden

Watercolour, Edith Holden supll

The materials I use in the video are:

  • Pentel color brush #101 (water solvent)
  • Pentel  brush GFKP Japan (water proof)
  • Molotow masking liquid.
  • Raphail brush “softaqua” imitation squirrel  -0
  • Da vinci brush, harbin-kolinsky- 6
  • Habico brush – 0.3
  • Atelier scrub brush -8

Two professional secrets for you...

The Molotow masking is the best I have ever had for protecting the page from colour. It is very delicate and is easy to use for details.

I also have to say that the Atelier scrub brush is the best I have found to rub out the masking liquid. It doesn’t leave the residue of an eraser and doesn’t risk oil stains from using  a finger. Even more important, it can remove a water colour stain quickly and easily, even the next day. It is only a brush, but it is also one of the secret tools used by professional artists for corrections…

Watercolour, Edith Holden Watercolour, Edith Holden Watercolour, Edith Holden Watercolour, Edith Holden Watercolour, Edith Holden Watercolour, Edith Holden

Watercolour, Edith Holden Watercolour, Edith Holden Watercolour, Edith Holden

You can subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Please share the magic of creativity .

How to be creative? You might also like:

.

20 thoughts on “Edith Holden`s sketch book.”

  1. An excellent post. I have some of Edith Holden’s books in my library. ‘The Hedgehog Feast’ is one of my favourite, along with this one and ‘Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady’. Great.

    Like

    Reply

  2. I love your how to paint flowers post! I tried to find the Atlier scrub brush #8 you used and it does not seem to come up with an internet search. Is there another description that you could suggest?

    Like

    Reply

      1. Thanks for information. I really appreciate that you went to the extra effort to send me a link.

        Like

  4. Magny, I love this book, too. Thanks for reminding me that I have it in my collection of art books out in the studio. I will have to pull it out and re-visit her journal. Your video and art are really beautiful, too, especially all the rich colors of the flowers. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. This is so beautiful Magny Edith Holden sketchbook is great for inspiration I always wanted a copy and I never got it! After your post surely I will buy a copy! I love the video too great job on that 🙂

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment