29 May 2011

International Maritime Museum Hamburg

by Astrid | 0

Sketchbook, 2011, Astrid Volquardsen

Last weekend we went to the International Maritime Museum in Hamburg. Originally we wanted to stroll around the harbor, but a thunderstorm made us go into the exhibition. I sat down to sketch in a corner where they display and explain the function of pulleys. Some of them are quite old and I could smell a strong odor of salt and sea .

About me

I am fascinated by the light conditions of the countryside, particularly in Northern Germany. I grew up in Hamburg so I am used to the rugged countryside and sometimes bleak weather and light conditions. The light in northern country landscapes is very special and it is indescribably beautiful. It touches my soul and opens up my heart when I visit the coast and feel the elemental force of the sea.
As opposed to my seascapes, I am very interested in the closely cropped views of the harbor and its endless diversity of shapes and colors.

With pastel painting l have found the ideal medium to artistically and creatively transform these special conditions of illumination. I love to spread pigment on paper without anything else in between.
Pastel paintings come alive when you put different layers of colour on the canvas. This is a great artistic stimulus for me. Which combination of colour pigments can be used to achieve precisely the effect of light and shade that I want? During the artistic process, layers of colour are continually built up and removed until the light situation has been captured and the picture can unfold its unique illuminating power.