Category: Rome

Sketchcrawling in Rome

Everyday I get to drive past the Appia Antica. Some days I stop along the way for a quick sketch. 
Paper: this pocket watercolour Moleskine.
Colour: Winsor & Newton artists’ water colours. I made myself a tiny colour box using an old mint tin and watercolours pans.
Brush: these Koi water brushes.

A new beginning

We did it! After months of dreaming and planning and questioning if we were doing the right thing, we took the risk and moved to Rome. At 34 weeks pregnant, with a full-time working partner and a toddler out of nursery, it has not been the easiest of moves, but we did it. We have been in our new place for a month now, and still trying to make it feels like home before the baby arrives in two weeks. We had a few hick ups as expected (it only took 3 weeks to get internet connection at home!), but nothing unmanageable to make us think we made a mistake. We are still trying to find a new balance, a new routine, to get to know the neighbourhood, to adjust again to the Italian lifestyle (not just the fancy stuff!) but taking each day as it comes has proved to be the best way to deal with the changes. I would have loved to document it all here, but reality has proved differently. Instagram has been a valuable tool to document some of it, but I’ve missed this place, my weekly posts, my projects. I’ve been thinking about writing this post for such a long time! I will try to get back to my schedule, but considering the other imminent change in my life it will be a very slow process. My priority now is to get ready to welcome this baby into our family, to make sure the change won’t affect Olivia too much, but also to enjoy some alone time with my other half before our lives get shattered again…even if it’s just watching an episode (or two) of House of Cards late in the evening.

When in Rome…

…we do like the Romans! We had an amazing time last week in Rome. It wasn’t a proper holiday as we have been running up and down looking for a flat to rent. But the weather was more than great, our little miss was the best travel companion and the hospitality was outstanding (grazie cugina!). We walked a lot, ate lots of pizza and ice cream, visited too many playgrounds and went to bed too late. Fingers crossed we will get things sorted this week with the flat so we can start planning our move before the baby comes.
Rome hidden treasures
Waking up to this every morning
Italian tradition
Just having fun
This is where you look for a place to rent!
Playgrounds (and yes she insisted on wearing pyjamas bottom!) 

Italian sketches

Every time we get to go on holiday I always make big plans on things I’m going to do, especially related to sketching outdoors. Every time I pack my bag with too many colours, pens, sketchbook, and all I can think I might need. And promptly, most of them remain unused and never see the light. This time, I took advantage of the fact that we were travelling just with hand luggage and took with me only the basics: my tiny  homemade watercolour box, my tiny concertina book, one water brush, a pencil and a gel pen. And it worked. The weather hasn’t been great and the time I had to sit and draw was very limited. I only managed to do two very quick sketches, one in Rome, while waiting for the tram, and one in Pisa, while waiting for my girlfriends. Talking about killing time while waiting…

Decisions, decisions

1 Comment
We have been doing some serious thinking lately. Plans are still very much up in the air, but the idea of moving to Rome for a year is slowly taking shape. With a two year old and a new baby on its way, we are probably mad, but the excitement when we think about this move is building up more and more very day. What do you think? Any thoughts and advices to share?