Antibes sketches

As in previous family holidays in Antibes, we settled into a relaxed daily routine of sketching before lunch, heading to the beach after lunch (bringing sketchbooks & materials with us), having a late dinner in our apt or at a restaurant, having delicious gelato for dessert and a walk on the ramparts to end our night.

Though I had already sketched a few things in the morning, my adult child laughed as they realised I was doing my “annual” sketch of them relaxing on the beach on our first day.

I was trying to sketch my surroundings, but people were constantly moving up and down to get in and out of the sea. The eye bag proved to be an ideal model (though I thought it glared at me).

The view of Place Nationale from my window was very lively. We were entertained daily by drumming acrobatic performers, an accordionist singing French songs, and a jazz saxophonist, who all busked to the customers at the café below. One night there was an organised performance of classical music on the bandstand.

I got a bit closer to the bandstand in Place Nationale on another day.

When in Antibes, I usually pay a visit to the Picasso Museum at Chateau Grimaldi to see my favourite Nicolas de Staël painting (Le concert). However, staff at the museum informed me the room was closed so I wouldn’t be able to see any of de Staël’s work! I was still able to see his house on the ramparts from my vantage point on the beach below and I did a number of sketches of it, on different days with different media.

One night there was a huge electrical storm - the lightning was quite magnificent and the next day there was torrential rain. Needless to say, I did not venture out that day, but sketched items (and people) in the apartment.

I enjoy sketching the trees in Antibes. Most of them are different species than those with which I am familiar, so there is certainly that novelty. This sketch shows how the man-made poles from street light fixtures are so opposite to the organic gnarliness of the trees.

I have previously blogged about Nicolas de Staël here, here, here and here, but I was at the beach below his house for nine days, so of course the de Staël house would keep appearing in sketches!

And I can’t forget the ubiquitous pigeons of Antibes! They are everywhere, and even when they have no feet they don’t stay still for long. We named this gentle and curious fellow Stumpy and though he practically sat with us at the beach, he did not seem to be looking for anything other than company, which we happily provided.