Drawing diary: June

With me utterly failing to catch up on my drawing diaries, I might have to settle for skipping some months. Indeed, lately my thoughts haven't been with blogging so much. Setting up my last rMA research and thesis plus managing my health have absolute priority, and take up almost all of my time. 

That said, I would like to share some drawings I made during my trip to Switzerland this summer. It wasn't just a holiday; I went for the PhD defense of yet another friend (yes, my friends are too smart!), this time in Zürich. It was amazing! Since you don't know my friends, I won't bore you with the details, but here are some sketches and (crappy phone) photos I made while traveling.

Switzerland impressions, with markers and fineliner (0.1 mm)

At the day of our arrival, our friend recommended eating at Frau Gerold. This was a great idea! In an outskirt of the city with an industrial atmosphere, one alley turned out to be filled with tents, plants and buzzing with people. It was full of Switzer hipsters (if there is such a thing) and had a great festival vibe. Containers were stacked and improvised into shops.

That same evening, near Frau Gerold, we saw people surfing in the city. Coming from the Netherlands - a country with lots of water and waves in the North Sea - it seemed pretty surreal to see people surf in an artificial environment. But I guess you get pretty desperate if you're a surfer and your country is situated so far from the sea!

A couple of days later, we met near the lake to hang out and relax. I practised drawing people (I still suck, ugh). It was such a nice day, though. We swam in the lake and looked at the boats and the Swiss mountains afar. Most of all, though, so many friends and acquaintances living all over the place coming together was something really special. I can still close my eyes and feel the happiness of that day.

The last full day in Switzerland was my birthday! To celebrate, my PhD friend took us to the Ibergeregg for a hike. I used to hike in the Swiss mountains with my family on holiday, so this made me extremely nostalgic. My friends are all plant nerds, too, so we delighted at all the cool orchids and other alpic species. While the others looked for more exciting plants and birds, I sat down to draw the mountains. I also drew Neotinea ustulata (burnt-tip orchid, Brand-Knabenkraut or aangebrande orchis), which I had never seen before.

Even though I was only in Zürich for a short time, I have many fond memories of my trip. I'm happy that I have the drawings hang on my bedroom wall to remind me of those days.