This original pen and pencil artwork drawing is inspired by the familiar character of the Netherlands. A tranquil canal winds through a tidy village scene, with a traditional barge moored alongside the water, a narrow bridge crossing the canal and a classic Dutch windmill rising beyond the small houses.
The scene is bathed in moonlight, giving the familiar architecture and waterways a quieter, more atmospheric character. A curious cat watches as a family of ducks swims past, adding a little life and personality to the otherwise peaceful evening.
I particularly enjoyed the textures within the scene, especially the netting hanging from the boat's bowsprit. Its fine, intricate pattern contrasts with the clean lines of the canal, houses and bridge and adds another layer of detail for the eye to discover.
The result is an imagined Dutch landscape rather than a depiction of one specific location – a peaceful combination of canals, windmills, boats and village life beneath the moon.
 
Subject: Dutch village and canal landscape
Medium: Pen and monochrome colour pencil
Paper: Acid-free cartridge paper
Image size: 59 × 41 cm
Framed: No
Original: Yes
Certificate of Authentication: Yes
Artist: Graham McKenzie-Smith