Nomadic Artist Shares Her Extensive Travels Through Inky Watercolor Paintings

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

In 2017, Spanish artist Alicia Aradilla decided to embrace a nomadic lifestyle and travel the world. Instead of keeping a diary of her journeys, however, Aradilla began documenting the architecture, nature, and other memorable sites she saw—and continues to experience—in sketchbooks. The loose and expressive style of her miniature watercolor paintings capture the ephemeral feeling of seeing a site for the very first time.

Aradilla's annotated artwork provides engaging imagery for her large Instagram following. Viewers see cityscapes and scenery from all over the world as well as behind-the-scenes jottings and painting studies, too. When the artist assembles her flat-lay-style photographs, she includes open pages from her sketchbooks, finished drafts, and all of her art supplies.

These intentional photographic decisions by the artist make for a layered viewing experience. Each of Aradilla's pictures provides observers with several different aspects to take in, effectively showing them her creative process through the thoughtful display of materials within the frame.

Aradilla teaches step-by-step courses on how to make her watercolor illustrations via Patreon. You can also keep up to date with the artist's latest creations by following her on Instagram.

Spanish artist Alicia Aradilla fills her sketchbooks with colorful watercolor illustrations.

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Travel Sketchbook Paintings

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Travel Sketchbook Paintings

Aradilla paints buildings, landscapes, and other sites she sees during her travels around the world.

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Travel Sketchbook Paintings

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Travel Sketchbook Paintings

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Travel Sketchbook Paintings

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Alicia Aradilla Sketchbook

Alicia Aradilla: Patreon | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Alicia Aradilla.

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Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
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