I painted this watercolor sketch a long time ago.
I think around 2005 but that is just a very hazy guess.
I had climbed up a mountain called Kuju in Oita prefecture and it had inspired me to do a painting of a mountain scene.
I think it was my first attempt to paint a mountain.
Or at the very least, it was my first attempt to paint a mountain that I had actually climbed up and taken some photos of.
It was quite an intimidating subject for me to paint.
So I did a watercolor sketch to begin with before I began on the actual painting as practice.
It would also hopefully improve my skills a little too.
Ironically, this rough watercolor sketch turned out better than the final painting.
And I have long since thrown away that final painting but kept this initial watercolor sketch.
I wish though that this sketch didn’t have that patch of green in the upper part of the picture.
I left it though because it’s just a sketch and if I tried to remove it I might spoil the painting.
For a long time I was so pleased with this sketch and that’s why I have kept it.
However, I can’t say that I like this sketch anymore.
I keep it now though as a record and perhaps also for nostalgic value.
That’s all for now,
Gareth.