It’s bread-making day here and while the dough rests between the stretch-and-folds, I’m catching up with other tasks: my compiti per casa (homework for my Thursday evening Italian class), for example, and working on my May Books Read entries in my reading journal (in case you missed April’s, here’s that post).. And I’m still working away organizing my revitalized blog (and trying to get the email subscription glitches sorted — I’d appreciate hearing from subscribers who got this post by email. . . as well as those who didn’t).
I also have a Leg Day workout to fit in this morning . . . which might be why I’m writing this post right now. I have been known to procrastinate when it comes to a Leg Day. . .
And since it’s Bread-Making Day, I thought perhaps I’d share my recent efforts at illustrating the alchemical wonders of flour, water, salt . . . as performed by the addition of sourdough starter, time, and some strategic stretching and folding. . . .
If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen my initial attempts to illustrate my bread day, enlisting my husband’s photographic service and then sketching from a photo. I’ve been following a Domestika course by Sarah van Dongen that’s inspired me to take a much more playful (and relaxed) approach to sketching . . .and between Sarah’s course and the one I took earlier (also through Domestika) from Laura McKendry, I’m also learning the value of repetition, of taking one subject and rendering it in as many variations (of colour, marking tool, media, paper, perspective, composition, etc.) as possible. As I repeat and develop, for example, a sketch of me at my kitchen counter working the bread dough in a bowl, I’m also hoping that I will begin to memorize what it takes to draw this pose effectively
So I started with this
and then did more of the same
and once I could draw my dough-mixing portrait from a recorded mental image, I then tried sketching the kitchen around me, as you can see at the top (and furthest back) of these three layered scraps of paper.
For my next iteration (and some of you will already have seen this on Instagram), I was challenged by my friend Sandy to add text in my three languages (English, of course, and then the French I’ve been a student of for decades, and Italian, which I’ve focussed on learning throughout this pandemic). 
I got some very helpful feedback on this from another artist friend who suggested I might try to play around with colour/composition to make sure that the eye was drawn to what should be the sketch’s main purpose — The Baker!
So I tried again, and I’m quite happy with this version.
Mixed Media, the sketch is in gouache, with lettering and other details done with markers (including some metallic; still trying to decide what I think of those effects), and I’ve added some collage (I’m especially pleased with that flour bag 😉
I’ve been scanning old posts as I organize 14 years of blogging into categories, and I came across this post (from Ston, Croatia) in which I overcame frustration over a watercolour sketch I just couldn’t get right. If I were trying to illustrate that day again, in my travel journal, I think I could do a better job with the perspective, proportions, angles, etc. . . . but I also think I might, now, adopt (or adapt) Sarah van Dongen’s and Laura McKendry’s approaches and embrace not getting it right, except as so far as right means how I see or feel or want to express my chosen subject that particular day with whatever my skills might be and whatever media I have available. So there 😉
I also found this old post (which I called “Bread-Making, Old-School, Artisan, and Beginner’s Luck) and thought it worth including here. My ruminations on a family and personal history of bread-making. . . and why mine is no longer my mother’s (or my grandmother’s or my mother-in-law’s) bread. If today’s bread bakes up like that tomorrow, I’ll be disappointed with the size and distribution of those gas-formed holes, but I was pretty pleased with it when I was just getting started making Fermented Sourdough Bread.
And that’s all the procrastinating I can do. Time to work that Leg Day. I’m hoping this will be emailed to subscribers tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, and I’d really appreciate knowing if yours reaches you. I’m also curious to know how you find your way here, if you don’t mind leaving a quick comment.
xo,
f
I too love the bread bag and I also love your hair in all the sketches. The lovely colours give me a sense that your kitchen is a welcoming place and I’m sure your bread is delicious. I find my way here (which I’ve been doing for many years) by searching for your blog in my browser every few days. It works well for me and, as a long time reader, I have a bit of a “feel” for your blogging schedule. I’ve been commenting fairly regularly for some time now and even if I don’t, I never miss a post. I could subscribe of course, but I get so many emails (many of them spam) that I prefer not to do so. Love, love, love your new blog format and greatly appreciate the effort you’re putting in to migrating things across – thank you 💕
Author
Again, thanks Maria for all the kind words and encouragement. It’s good to know someone is still finding my words and reading them even when the technology falters 😉
I do much the same as Maria, I have you in my favourites and check in from time to time. I do not like notifications unless they are critical (and in a push/pull notification scenario, I am definitely a ‘pull’).
You know I always like seeing your sketches and hearing about the process.
I have a vague idea to get more serious about my Italian. I do practice but at a very casual level. A casual level is the place where I like to live. Maybe back to class when things open up but what I really want is just book work, conjugations (oh! those past tenses) etc. so I could, with some discipline, do that on my own. If you want to do some heavy swearing, pillow talk or discuss a crime I am your woman. Ha!
Author
I actually do the same as you and Maria (and I have most notifications on my phone shut off as well — in fact, my phone is in Do Not Disturb mode most of the time, except for those important numbers that are allowed through the filter ;-). But I know many who find email subscriptions handy and manage them efficiently, so I’ll be glad when I’ve got that working. Made a big switch today, so all should be good soon.
I only got this serious about my Italian because of 1) my daughter’s family settling in to a life in Italy and then 2) Covid — as the rest of my life was restricted, Italian classes (online) became a big focus, providing purpose and structure and, surprisingly, a social life. But otherwise, I agree with you that working on my own, at home, from a book or with podcasts, etc. can be very satisfying.
Found my way here from checking my saved page of your blog–no email this morning. 🙁 Note that I also checked to make sure your email didn’t somehow end up in the spam folder–it didn’t. Nada.
Love all the iterations of your sketch. Agree with you that the flour bag in the last version is just terrific.
Author
I was checking my spam folder too — we know that much by now, 😉
Thanks for the kind words re sketch. Cutting out and drawing, colouring, gluing that flour bag was the best kind of child’s play!
I see your posts (title and first line) in my Feedly Reader, then click on the title to come to your post to read and comment.
The sketch progression was fascinating to see. Love that you used all three languages in your sketch.
One thing I dislike about commenting on WordPress blogs is the need to always fill in my name/email etc. Sometimes I don’t comment (on other blogs or here) just because of that little tiny irritation. I don’t know if there’s a way around it.
Author
I remember trying Feedly once upon a time, but I think I couldn’t keep up, so abandoned it. I’m glad to know that are still such alternatives. Bloglovin’ is there as well, but I do resent it a bit, I have to admit.
I never notice that about WordPress as opposed to other blogs — I find that most blogs ask for name and email, but I guess that when we’re already in Blogger, we don’t have to do that for the Blogger ones. . . I tend to use AutoFill to do that when I’m visiting other blogs, so I don’t mind. I’ve just heard from so many readers who find Blogger frustrating to comment on for a variety of mysterious reasons, and so far this set-up seems to be working well. We muddle on, right? I give us a lot of credit for that 😂
I do have a WordPress account, so perhaps if I’m signed in to that the fill-in will be automatic. I’ll give it a try.
Here’s to muddling on!
Author
Often the only way, the muddling path. . . 😉
Hi Frances. I did not get the post by email this morning. So there’s still a glitch somewhere. Such a pain when that happens and you can’t reach into the computer and throw some sort of physical, touchable switch. Especially when so many of the computer “switches” are invisible to us mortals. We just write the darned posts… then somewhere out in the ether some evil being does whatever they want with them!
Love those little sketches. The baker in orange is particularly charming. Those curls. And that little tea pot in the background. AND the flour bag! xo
Author
It is SUCH a pain! but I think I’ve got the solution now (switching to a different provider) — and we should see a difference by next week, likely earlier. And yes, exactly, we just write the darned posts (at least, that’s all I want to have to do, and will be so glad when I can get back to that.
I quite like myself as an orange-clad baker, thank you! 😉
I have always enjoyed your sketches, especially in this post that shows the progression from rough sketch.
Until very recently, I too accessed your blog by regularly entering the name in my browser. I did subscribe to your book blog but found I couldn’t leave a comment that way. Since your redesign I have subscribed but have only received one email notification (May 30). There are bound to be glitches with any change, so for now I keep following your posts the old way.
Author
Thanks for hanging in here, Frances. I would really miss your voice and your book recommendations. I’m quite confident regular email notification will resume within a few days.
Author
Oh, and I’m pleased you specifically mentioned enjoying the progression I traced in this post — I think it’s the first time I’ve done that in one post, although now that I think of it, I showed repeated attempts to sketch a 2CV in St. Emilion back in Summer 2019. . . and then that hairclip last summer. . .
Hi! I didn’t get an email but I follow you on Instagram and get to your blog that way😊 love your story about painting your bread making… the bright color in the last iteration is great.. but then I love orange… I agree it’s hard to not try to be perfect in drawing… it’s easier if we try Not to be perfect..
Author
Thanks, Deborah, I’m glad to know there’s another working pathway to the blog so we can chat here. And I’m pleased you enjoyed the post. . . and all its happy imperfections 😉
I love that final drawing & would like it on my kitchen wall . More than that though I admire your determination . When you get your teeth into something !
Author
Oh thank you, Wendy! That’s the ultimate compliment! On your kitchen wall, perhaps facing a window with a view of your splendid garden. . . . (and thank you for seeing my determination. I’m not sure it’s always there, or at least, I don’t always credit myself with it.)
So interesting-the power of colour !
I prefer your sketches when they are more free and fluid…. Naturally,one has to perfect proportions,realism (or even Zvonimir Mihanovic’s hyperrealism :)), but there is a lot of charm in your free style sketches and collages…..
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I usually get an e-mail notification day and a half, two days after the post….it was always like this,but you are in my Favourites,so I check every two,three days . This time I’ve seen it on IG
Dottoressa
Author
Thanks, Dottoressa! I’m quite intrigued now by what a difference the colour choice makes.