I travel the globe through watching videos, photo websites, and royalty-free images. This time I visited someplace in France, searching Pixabay for photos matching the term “citadel” and found some really interesting things. What I wanted in particular were photos with strong architectural details and perspective to use as practice for drawing / painting buildings. The one I used in the painting below was taken from a low vantage point and looking upward. The upper reaches of the tower were centered over the corner of the citadel, and the sides of the citadel sloped steeply downward.
Working from a photo is often difficult, especially if it is small on screen and cannot be enlarged. The left and right sides of the building were confusing, so I just sorta made up what they were, but the center of the building was pretty clear in the photo. I drew first with ink, then added color, and then returned to add more ink and more color a few times. The ink proved helpful in making the right side of the painting darker, as it was in the photo. I didn’t want to add a lot of paint as the purpose of ink and wash is just that – delicate touches of color to the ink drawing.
I really like working with ink for drawing buildings. It will get there some day! Right now I still struggle with both depth and perspective, but practice like this is always fun, and usually to almost always, rewarding.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
When I first saw this, I thought of a ship. I don’t know why?? I think it is the perspective in the photo you were working from. The drawing is great and really gives the feeling of a fortress on high.
My first thought was ship too, but a cool hewn-from-rock ship ploughing through the undergrowth. Imposing and slightly scary. Good job! That’s how a Fortress should feel looking at it.
And for that observation, some fishing boats for you, Fraggy!
Anne, like you and like Fraggy, the image did make me think of the bow of a boat, and I think that is one reason why the perspective of this citadel caught my eye. That upward line is so dramatic! And today – boats for real!
😊😍