I have been to Egypt from 17-30 november and took my painting-box along. I have never seen such incredible sights…..but less time than I thought for drawing. My first drawing is one of a fish from the Nile, which I saw in the Coptic museum in Cairo, on an urn from Saqqara, the Monastery of St.Jerimiah, 3-4th century. And some stones in Dashur, near the Red and Bend pyramid. The shadows are sharp and dark, as it is 30 degrees under a blistering sun. Not every room has a table and chair,so I have to improvise a bit. And I see the river Nile quite a bit, as most Egyptians live in the triangle Cairo-Alexandrie-Suez and on the small fertile strip along the Nile. There are palm trees everywhere and used for fences, roofs etc. These leafs have all colors of green, yellow and brown.
As I am a lot in the desert, I try to look for vegetation. But it is very barren and hot. Once in a while I see some tiny holes in the sand…beetles? And I see a tiny thistle that I am going to paint. Again these harsh shadows. It is 38 degrees.
Opposite my hotel in Luxor is this beautiful ancient temple, and trees with bright yellow flowers. As soon as I pick them to paint, they wither. It is a challenge to capture colors and details.
painting the life 
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