The Croydon Paintbox, the most popular piece of work in Lis Watkins’s five years of her lineandwash online sketchbook. Copyright Lis Watkins
Local artist, Lis Watkins, has been celebrating five years of her online sketchbook, where she posts drawings and ideas daily.
Scenes and events from Croydon, delightfully captured in water colours, have been a regular feature of Watkins’ work, which on occasion she has generously shared on Inside Croydon.
The view from the 11th floor of No1 Croydon. Copyright Lis Watkins
This month, one of Watkins’s Croydon artworks is part of an exhibition at the Menier Gallery, near London Bridge.
What is unusual about Watkins’s work is that the public have been able to follow her progress as she has developed her style and paintings over the past half-decade.
“On September 27, 2011, I started a blog,” Watkins said.
“Calling it my online sketchbook, the initial aim was to post a drawing a day for a year. I succeeded and carried on drawing, painting and taking a few photos too. It’s been a great experience and I’d like to thank everybody who has taken a look and commented over the years.
Lis Watkins has enjoyed capturing some of the essence of Croydon’s townscape in her water colours. Copyright Lis Watkins
“One of the more unusual things I’ve done this year was being filmed drawing for this short Winsor and Newton promotional video, using the new Cotman Water Brush Set. Take a look at the video below or pop over to my YouTube channel to see more watercolour work in progress – https://www.youtube.com/user/lineandwash”
Watkins has been counting down on Twitter too, with a Top Ten of drawings that received the most RTs, likes and comments.
“The most popular image was the ‘Croydon Paintbox’, which I drew two years ago,” she said.
Croydon’s parks and green spaces, such as Park Hill, have been a regular inspiration for Lis Watkins. Copyright Lis Watkins
“Please get in touch if you have any suggestions for people and places that I could draw in the next five years,” Watkins said.
Visit Watkins’ own site by clicking here.
Or follow her on Twitter here.
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