Hello, and thanks, for reading my newsletter. I think you all know the gist by now, but this a space where I share a bit about what I’ve observed and appreciated over the last few weeks* and share some pages from my sketchbook.
*This year, I have used the Japanese system of microseasons to divide up my time. This newsletter comes out after three microseasons - this block of time is known as sekki. There are six of these in a season - I’ve titled these ‘First, Early, Rising, Solstice/Equinox, Lesser, and Late’ to help keep track.
Yesterday saw the end of Late Autumn, which began back on the 23rd of October, and was quite a wonderful set of microseasons, all things considered. As pictured above, I’ve been experimenting again with a nature-journal-type entry in a recently purchased dot-grid Pith Yuzu.
I’ve also been experimenting with the idea of limiting myself to a colour palette/collection of materials for the course of the sekki. I’ll include a list at the end, for those interested.
This has been the time for the lawn mushroom, which is a slightly weird but delightful development that started randomly last year. We have now have so many mushrooms, creating a whole arc across the garden. Does anyone know why this has happened?
This sekki has also saw the last of the autumnal foliage. It is the foliage - more than anything, except perhaps the light - that makes me feel like we might truly be entering into winter.
Does it feel weird to call today that beginning of winter? Perhaps. I was reading Lev Parikian’s entry for today (from the incredibly lovely Light Rains Sometimes Fall: The British year through Japan’s 72 seasons), which describes this strange moment like this:
The old Japanese calendar moves to a different rhythm, and while that have been times when the misalignment has felt imperceptible, seeing the word ‘winter’ this early is a sign of how out of kilter it can be.
I don’t think I feel that things are so out of kilter. The bare bones of tress and low hanging sun make me feel it is alright to call this (albeit somewhat mild) November day the first of winter. The drop in temperature can wait, I’m fine with that.
I heard recently that winter is the best time to learn the structure of our trees, and to draw them. I found this a bit inspiring, wanting to seek out my favourite trees and learn their forms before the foliage returns.
Lastly, I’ve been intrigued by the Viburnum. Resembling almost a cherry blossom, these flower across the seasons, such as these unlikely flowers blossoming in Late Autumn.
That’s all from me, though you can read below for a list of materials and calendar updates! If you haven’t already, you can subscribe to receive these seasonal updates to your inbox, too.
Natalie
The Late Autumn Palette
Tombow ABT: 076, 942
W&N Gouache: linden green
Holbein gouache: amber
Holbein acrylic gouache: ivory white
Diamine Ink: ancient copper
Unison Pastel: red9, bgearth13, yge11, y10
Caran d'ache Luminance: green ochre, raw umber 10
Faber Castell: burnt ochre, india red
Derwent Drawing: warm earth, wheat, mars orange
Caran d'ache Neocolour II: cinnamon, vermilion, lf orange
Calendar Updates
I’ve included here some the winter pages, as they weren’t quite finished at the end of the last newsletter. I’m now just about finished with the edits now, and test prints will be ordered this weekend!
You can now pre-order a calendar here.
