Experimental Thursday night Palladianism and some old Venice sketches

March 25, 2016 | 5 Comments


Some of my long-term readers will know about my old habit of Friday Night Baroque where I used to find sketching a complex Baroque building (from a photo) was the perfect way for me to wind down and relax after a busy week at the (architects) office. That habit has fallen by the wayside a little but last night, being the night before the long weekend of Easter (Friday-Monday here), I felt I needed to do some experimental architectural sketching.

As Palladio is one of my focuses at the moment (I will reveal why in a little while) it was only natural that I picked up one of the many books I have on his work, to find some inspiration. This is his Loggia del Capitaniato in Vicenza. It has been a dream of mine for years to visit Vicenza and the Veneto area and see these buildings … one day? Just for the record I am a HUGE FAN of Palladio – check out this silly photo from 2010.

As for the sketch, well it was pure experimentation! Using some tools that are not normally part of my kit such as a gold gel pen.

And while discussing Palladio – I tried to get my Palladio tags up to date but am shocked at how few Palladian sketches I could find… so I went on a tangent in my Archive files and found these old sketches from 2010 when I was in Venice!


As someone who has spend many years reading and researching these buildings, the excitement level is pretty high when I experience them for myself. Just looking at these old sketches brings back a lot of joy.



And just finally… here is one more recent sketch done from a photo to celebrate the end of my Edges course last year.


An interesting connection with what I did last night after sharing a new Edges video – hey?
PS. Thanks for allowing me to indulge in a Palladian tangent!

5 Comments

  • Ivor McKay says:

    Hello Liz,

    I have been following your blog for some time and enjoying it and your enthusiasm for urban sketching. I started learning to draw in my mid seventies and I’m still trying to work up the courage to get out and do some real urban sketching. So I’m glad you will be covering that subject in your upcoming course which I do hope to take.
    Can I ask you a question? Since you have had your new format blog when I bring up the page it doesn’t present me with the latest blog just the one from 15 March and to find the latest one I have to go into the archives. What am I doing wrong?

    • Liz Steel says:

      thanks Ivor… I am going to check with my IT guy but I think you just need to refresh the browser (if on a ipad, restart the ipad)

  • Julia Blackbourn says:

    Liz, I love looking at your Palladio sketches. I did a trip to the Veneto ten years ago, specifically to visit his buildings and what a wonderful experience it was! The Rotonda and the Teatro Olimpico were highlights, my eyes could hardly believe I was seeing them for real. I have my own dedicated sketchbook just for his villas, I intend to sketch every one of them.

  • Marcia Lynch says:

    Hi Liz! As always I am inspired by your enthusiasm and beautiful renderings of your fav subjects!
    I wanted to add my 2 cents to Ivor’s problem above.
    I had the same problem as he until I put your new blog address into my Contacts. I then started getting your blog everyday in my email Inbox.
    Hope that helps!
    Marcia Lynch

  • Joan von Weien says:

    Dear Liz,
    A friend recommended your site, and I love your architectural pen and ink and wash drawings/sketches.

    I just had a w/c class with David Taylor, someone from your neck of the woods. Enthusiastic!

    Joan von Weien

Leave a Reply