Saturday 27 February 2010

Light as a Feather

coloured pencil

A feather I found, probably a wood pigeon's.  I love to draw feathers, I have a collection ready to be sketched.  This one I did on black paper to show up the white.
I have been having problems all week with my modem, hopefully next week I can get a new one up and working.  There hasn't even been time to finish some of the things I like doing, like the Monthly Sketch Project. 

Tuesday 23 February 2010

On the school run

Sketch in coloured pencil


My second page of my new sketch book.  This is 'Villa San Cataldo', built originally at the beginning of the 17th century, but reconstructed in the 19th century.  It's now publicly owned and  houses the local art college, which just happens to be my daughter's school.  I always try to park somewhere that has a good view and sketch while I wait for my daughter, I then put the colour in at home.  It looks peaceful  enough, but if you could only hear the racket from the road behind me..cars, horns, and radios.  There are another two
schools in the immediate area!


Friday 19 February 2010

A Packed Suitcase

coloured pencil over watercolour & ink


Here's my trusty trolley, bulging at the seams as usual.  Cheap flights and hand luggage only have reduced me to cramming everything into one tiny trolley bag.   I am perfecting the art of having everything I need for a week/10 days  in minature form or rolled up.  I've even had framed paintings in there and I always have a little sketching kit in the front pocket.  I often sit on it to get it closed!
EDM  challenge 260.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Hidden Treasure

La Certosa (coloured pencil and watercolour)


After a couple of sketches from my car in the rain,  this is one that I re-did at home and added colour.  It's the first page of my new sketchbook, which will be dedicated to places/ scenes near where I live.
I have already sketched this villa from the otherside, see here .  It's such a shame to see something so beautiful hidden away behind suburban sprawl.  The part I've drawn is the only part you can see, between houses and behind a tall wooden fence.
I love cracked walls,  old brickwork and peeling paint, fortunately there isn't a shortage of that around here!
I'm hoping that I will fill my sketchbook fairly quickly as I've got lots of locations in mind.

Sunday 14 February 2010

A Red Red Rose


My love's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
My love is like a melody
So sweetly play'd in tune

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I;
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Though all the seas gone dry.

Though all the seas gone dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt with the sun;
I will love thee still my dear,
Though the sands o' life shall run.

So fare-thee-well, my only love!
And fare-thee-well awhile!
And I will come to you again,
Though it were ten thousand miles!

Though it were ten thousand miles, my dear
Though it twere ten thousand miles
 I will come to you again.
Though it twere ten thousand miles



Eva Cassidy's song  version of a Robert Burns poem... so beautiful, and goes so well with my red rose in coloured pencil.   Happy Valentines day!

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Chrissy's Butterfly

Coloured pencil, ink and watercolour pencils

My second drawing for the Monthly sketch project  
The lovely reference photograph of a butterfly was irrestible.  Thank you to Chrissy for the photograph.
Now I really must go and do some painting!

Monday 8 February 2010

A Dog's Dinner







Ink,
watercolour
& coloured
pencil




The EDM challenge this week was 'draw something from your pet's point of view'.  I actually have quite a few pets, so lots to choose from, but it just had to be my big hairy dog's point of view.
Jacky is always thinking of food,  he's Italian and very partial to a bit of pasta for his tea.  This is MY lunch, rigatoni with ragù sauce...his favourite!
They do actually sell enormous bags of pasta for dogs in the supermarket, but Jacky would rather have some of  ours.  A big bowl takes him about 30 seconds to eat, he's very greedy.

Friday 5 February 2010

Monthly Sketch Project - February

Watercolour & coloured pencil

This is my drawing for the Monthly Sketch Project.  The  photograph was supplied by Ann .
It's just the sort of thing I like to draw, very much my comfort zone!



Monday 1 February 2010

"Getting better in your wardrobe"



A sketch of the inside of my wardrobe/closet for the EDM sketch challenge.  I noticed that most of the clothes in my wardrobe are neutral 'safe' colours and then got thinking to how nice it would be to open the door and find something different.  What would be in there?   So I drew an imaginary wardrobe and it's contents.








In my 'alternative' wardrobe there would be a turquoise kimono, a Moulin Rouge outfit complete with a feather boa, ballet dress and shoes and a leather biker's jacket and boots.

What would be in yours?





Both in watercolour and coloured pencils.