Flea Market in Berlin

Coming back after a trip from Berlin I really wanted to capture the hustle and bustle of a street market at Fehrbelliner Platz which takes place on Saturdays. What a great place for people watching and snapping up bargains.

At first I wanted to do a watercolor to capture all the hurly burly of dogs barking, elbows shoving and people grabbing antiques to see if they might be priceless rather than decorative bits of tat. But I found I had no watercolor paper at home. Since necessity is the mother of invention I found some pastel paper and coated it with gesso. Gesso gives such a lovely three dimensional feel doesn't it?

Then I did  a bit of watercolor over it and finished it off with chalk and oil pastels. I think it captures the atmosphere nicely.

Whatever you do don't miss a trip to Berlin. It is so bohemian and unique. The people wear colorful and outrageous clothes and don't give a fig for what is 'on trend.' And the gelati is simply to die for.....