For days 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of my January 2022 ‘Sketch a Day’ challenge I abandoned the Tanum pond in Sweden and ‘flew’ down to Mexico to see some very different ponds at the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden.
I worked from an extreme crop of various shots including the top left side of these lily pads.
Because I had switched to a larger book this sketch was published in two parts, first the sketch (Day 9) and then the watercolour (Day 13). It took forever to finish and cured me of my longing to use a larger sketchbook. I filled in the water at the bottom with a lovely murky green. Although I also wanted to add a similar water to the top of the sketch I gave up rather than potentially ruin the image – in real-life painting there is no such thing as an ‘Undo’ button. Perhaps I will add the top water in the future when I have forgotten how long it took to get to this point.
The Jaguar Trail in the Botanical Garden leads to the river where you can swim or just wade to cool off. I spent some time admiring the clear water and the underwater ripples in the river that distorted the rocks underneath along with bits and pieces of underwater plants.
I painted a quick yellow ochre background then added pencil to try to capture the ripples for my Day 10 sketch.
When I saw the final piece it reminded me of something and at one point I saw this image taken at the Van Gogh show, a huge blow-up of a pen and ink sketch of his showing waves rolling in on the coast of France. Apparently I’m not the only person to do studies of water. 
My Day 11 inspiration, also from the river. 
My Day 11 sketch, watercolour and pencil.
This golden Koi fish in a pond was way too complicated for a quick sketch so I focussed on capturing the ripply reflection of leafy branches in the lower left corner.
The start of the watercolour sketch. 
My Day 12 watercolour sketch. 
A crop that didn’t make it into a sketch is this one where I decided that colour was important and demanded a better quality paper. 
This is the full-size version showing the aerial roots coming out of the water, possible mangrove?
And another, of spiky Papyrus and burgundy-leafed water plants; this one is too complex for a sketch-a-day but now that the Challenge is over I really want to get my teeth into this one. 
Full-size version.
More of the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Water.
Batz Gallery 
A vey cool take on the challenge. Great talent lives in that sketch pad of yours. Donna
Thank you for showing us your process Elizabeth. You are certainly talented.
An interesting insight into the artist’s process Elizabeth – I admire your talent and commitment! Loved the Day 12 sketch!
It was a very cold alternating with very wet January, and Omicron was rising massively. Staying inside and working off photos from Mexico wasn’t the worst way to spend my time…