Sketchbook Adventures: Finding Inspiration at Caddo Lake

Some places in the world feel like they exist in a dream—where light filters through ancient trees, water whispers against the shore, and nature's beauty unfolds in layers of colour and texture. Caddo Lake is one of those places. Nestled on the border of Texas and Louisiana, this sprawling maze of bayous, sloughs, and Spanish moss-draped bald cypress trees is an artist's paradise.

I recently took my sketchbook to Caddo Lake, seeking fresh inspiration. I found a world so surreal and breathtaking that it felt like stepping into a painting. The highlight? The lotus flowers rise gracefully from the still waters, creating a striking contrast against the towering cypress trees.

A Sketchbook Full of Stillness and Movement

I knew this place would demand to be drawn from the moment I arrived. The morning mist clung to the water, softening the lines of the trees and turning everything into a watercolour-like dreamscape. I started with quick gesture sketches of the cypress trunks, their roots stretching down into the dark water like ancient fingers. The reflections danced with the ripples, challenging each sketch to balance solid forms with fluidity.

Then, the lotus flowers caught my eye. Delicate yet strong, their soft pink petals reached for the sky, floating above the lily pads. I switched to watercolour washes to capture their ethereal glow against the deep greens and browns of the swamp. Watercolour pencil details brought out the intricate veins in the leaves, while white gel pen highlights helped mimic how the sunlight kissed their edges.

Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake

Caddo Lake

Lotus leaves

Caddo Lake

Lotus flower

Caddo Lake

Textures and Colors of the Bayou

One of the things I love most about mixed-media sketching is how different materials can capture a place's textures. The gnarled bark of the cypress trees called for bold, rough pencil strokes, while the smooth surfaces of the water needed soft pastels to create a luminous sheen. A hint of gouache helped emphasize the ghostly quality of the Spanish moss, swaying like tattered lace in the breeze.

Caddo Lake's palette is rich and moody—deep emerald greens, warm amber browns, and unexpected bursts of soft pinks and whites from the lotus blooms. Nature here feels like an old soul, ancient and wise yet alive with vibrant energy.

Lessons from the Lotus

As I sketched, I thought about the symbolism of the lotus flower. Growing from the murky depths, it blooms untouched by the mud, a reminder of resilience and beauty emerging from unexpected places. It's easy to see why artists and poets have been inspired by them for centuries.

This visit to Caddo Lake reminded me why I keep a sketchbook—not just to document what I see but to connect more deeply with the world around me. Every page tells a story, not just of a place, but of a moment spent genuinely seeing, feeling, and absorbing the beauty of nature.

As I pack up my sketchbook and brushes, I know this won't be my last visit. There's still so much more to capture—the shifting light at sunset, the hidden creatures among the reeds, the quiet magic in the air. Until then, I'll carry Caddo Lake in the pages of my sketchbook, waiting for the next adventure to unfold.