ICELAND: AN ILLUSTRATED JOURNEY

Skaftafell Glacier

There's something unique about Icelandic landscapes, something that captivated me from the moment I booked my trip. I felt it while researching the landmarks to explore and chatting with those who had visited before.

Much like my previous journey to Japan, I was determined to sketch the breathtaking scenery along Iceland’s southern coast, which is the area I actually explored.

The view from my flat in Reykjavík

However, while I spent a month in Japan, this time I only had about a week. With so much to see and do, I managed to sketch on-site just a couple of times. So, once I returned home, I began creating a small series inspired by the photos I took in Iceland.

The charming little house in Hella

At first, I wanted to draw the most iconic spots, the ones featured in travel guides and YouTube videos. Eventually, I explored a different perspective, more connected to my personal memories and the places that, for various reasons, left a lasting impression on me.

That's the case for my first stop in Reykjavik, as I found myself creating an illustration inspired by the view from my flat instead of focusing on the Hallgrímskirkja church or the city's more well-known landmarks.

I then departed from Reykjavik to Hella, where I enjoyed a few nights in a charming, cosy, old-fashioned little house. It offered fantastic views of Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull, and the Tind Mountains, all while being surrounded by several beautiful horses frolicking nearby.

Sketching in Hella

I truly enjoyed my time there, feeling at peace amidst the prairies, which is why I thought it was the ideal place to sketch, capturing a special memory of my visit.

After patiently waiting for the rain to cease and the sun to come up, I gathered my painting supplies and chose to sketch the house, while the horses weren't too afraid to get close to me.

This is certainly one of the best memories of my whole Iceland trip!

I then headed away from Hella towards the Skaftafell Glacier, which was undoubtedly another incredible highlight of my journey.

It truly felt like stepping onto another planet; the glacier, the dark earth, and the water with a murky yellow tint made it seem as if I was wandering into a distant and uncharted territory.

The view from the Hótel Jökulsárlón

The final destination of my journey was the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, situated at the far eastern end of Iceland's southern coast. A one-of-a-kind landscape that was even more delightful under the warm sunlight.

I stayed overnight at the Hótel Jökulsárlón, a newly opened luxury country hotel located just a short distance from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The most recent illustration I made is heavily inspired by the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and a section of the glacier, along with their reflections on the small lake.

I feel that the artwork I created doesn't truly capture the stunning landscapes I experienced during my visit to Iceland. Instead, I view them as a more personal reflection of my time spent there, almost like notes in my personal diary.

I also wish I could do more sketching on-site, but I see this as a potential reason to plan another visit soon, perhaps to explore the North coast or other locations that I am sure will take my breath away, again.