Sketches from Japan - Autumn 2013
 

Just got back from a 1 week trip to Japan: Tokyo>Kyoto>Osaka>Nara>Hiroshima>Miyajima
(Nov 20 -27) Fall colors were at their peak everywhere it seemed. Bit of a whirlwind but the bullet trains made it easy to cover a lot of ground fast. This was my second trip to Japan (2010 being the 1st)

Here is a link to my sketches from the trip.
http://danbran.com/2013/12/07/sketch...;-autumn-2013/

Dan

Wow. What an utterly creative and new way to experience a trip report!

Our itinerary was very similar to yours, however we had 2 weeks (just got back less than 2 weeks ago.) How you did all that in one week is beyond me.

Irrespective, the output is astonishing! I really enjoyed that. Have you done this for other trips?

Thank you, filmwill! I was traveling very lightly, and somehow felt compelled to keep moving. So I just went with the flow :-)

Yes, I've done some other TRs in this manner for Italy, Vietnam/Cambodia, Hawaii

Thanks for sharing. I remember your sketches of VN. We have also recently returned from our first trip to Japan.

Amazingly clever! Thanks. I loved it!

I really enjoyed your last sketches and now another great collection from Japan - thank you for sharing!

Loved this - thanks for sharing...

Wow, that is brilliant!

I really enjoyed your clever and unique TR. I'm looking forward to checking out your other TRs when I have time. Thanks for posting.

Very Cool

Yes, I so enjoyed your sketchbook and will see if your other ones are still here....

Enjoyed both the style and substance of the report. This site sometimes overflows with tales of the lah-dee-dah spots, so it's refreshing to know that a stay in a capsule hotel leaves one none the worse for wear.

Thank you, all! The capsule hotel was definitely an experience. Some are nicer than others, but if all you want is sleep, they're perfect...and very affordable.

Very clever...I enjoyed your sketches. I was in Hiroshima and Tokyo one week before you.

Fantastic once again. I'm a big fan of your travel logs!

Did you only buy a JR West railpass and not the regular one? Since it doesn't cover Tokyo, did you buy the ticket there? I'm confused.

Awesome! Your ability to capture those moments is truly enviable. Thank you so much for sharing!

@susiesan I lost my regular JR Pass halfway in, while I was in Kyoto. Still had to get to Hiroshima, Nara, Osaka. I bought a 4 day JR West, and had to buy the ticket back to Tokyo, yes.

Another evocative batch of drawings from your trip. Loved it! Thanks for sharing.

danbran, I'm curious as to how you do your drawings, as I carry a small journal with me when I travel, and I mostly write or sketch some simple things and I like to paste some beautiful admission tickets or get stamps from temples, parks and sights. Could you please share.

Do you do the drawing on the spot, or just a sketch and you fill it out later? Do you have a notebook? What type of pens do you use? Some of your drawings look like they're watercolors and others markers? What brands do you use? Any photos to share would be great.

I haven't tried doing color sketches, just black ink.

Thanks!

Another wonderful trip report from you--I also remember your Vietnam\Cambodia report. Whirlwind indeed! And inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful! I've just started looking at it, but I also remember seeing your Vietnam/Cambodia sketches and loving it. Your work is stunning.

Maybe you should publish your own book one day!

My sister sent me "A Year in Japan" drawn by an American girl who stayed in Japan for a year. Nice drawings too.

http://www.katetwilliamson.com/japan.htm

Warm greetings again dan, from a warm SE Asia (BKK) business travel Friday morning - and the continued highest praise for your lovely art and humour!

So love your work, so did a review of your earlier efforts, and found your impressions of times in cherished Yosemite, including an ascent of Half Dome via 'cable route'. Brought back sweet memories of said ascent years ago with an old girlfriend. (And, we stayed at the Ahwahnee - and survived.)

And, thanks again for your impressions of San Francisco. Singapore is my (our) primary work/residence base of late, but still fly to SFO every ~ 8 weeks for meetings and checking on the humble secondary residence. Your SF art helps to tide me over between trans-pacific business trips.

Please keep up the wondrous work, dan. Should you ever desire lodging suggestions in our fine home of Singapore (and Singapore Airlines), honoured to assist. Speaking of SIA, get to fly her home to SIN today, so early and warm weekend wishes to you and all,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Wonderful wonderful trip report. Beautiful!

A brilliant technique. So enjoyable to follow your travels!

JC98,

Thank you! I use sakura pens (.005 and 3) and portable sakura watercolors kit, with watercolor brushes. See link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sakura-XNCW-24...rcolor+brushes

It come with a brush that you fill with water. Very self contained.

I'll do some drawings right then and there on the spot, or take a picture with my iphone and do it later. I'll do some upon my return as well. Really just depends on how much time I have.


Also, the Tom Bihn field journal is a great travel sketchbook:
http://www.tombihn.com/accessories/TB1910.html


I use Strathmore watercolor paper (5.5 X8.5 in) 400 Series. It's thick enough I can use both sides, and also paste tickets and receipts and stuff.


That's cool you keep a journal as well...Try adding some color to your drawings! :-)

AskOksena,

Thank you for your kind words!

I'll let you know if I ever find myself in Singapore. I hear Singapore Airlines is the best!

These are amazing!!

Thanks, danbran. Maybe I'll get that paint kit as my xmas present. :)

Happy travels and sketching. Looking forward to seeing more of your sketches.

aye karumba, but do I ever want to try those Sakura pens now. Thanks for the tip!

Excellent, very clever. Decided last week that our next big trip will be Japan in October/November 2015 so am still in the reading phase. You made the fall colours look great.