Sunflowers Quick Sketch

Watercolour sketchbook

Just couldn't resist going back to my old favourite Sunflowers. A quickie in the small sketchbook, but it cheers me to look at them. Sunflowers are so uplifting.

Don't worry I haven't forgotten the portraits, back to them shortly. :)

Another Try...

Ink on HP paper

As you can see still no likeness, in fact I think I'm losing it totally! Trouble is I rather like this guy, if only I knew where he was. He's so cute.

OK, tomorrow I start getting serious and get down to measuring properly. Let's see if we can nail this one once and for all.

Capturing Cary

Firstly, I apologise to Cary Grant for this abysmal rendering of him. He is my hero and represents for me a true gentleman. I adore his films (mostly because I like looking at him!) and among my favourites are of course An Affair to Remember, Arsenic & Old Lace and The Philadelphia Story. Of course that's just a few because I don't want to bore you with a huge list of my favourite Cary Grant films!

Anyway, back to art... I am trying again with portraits and as you can see by this one I really need to work on getting a likeness. I sure didn't get one this time! I will try again tomorrow and see what happens.

After Charles Robinson

My version of Alice in Wonderland - not quite as good as Charles Robinson's but it was so lovely to use the inks again. I was pleased with this result.

Sometimes the hardest thing in life to learn is when to stop, when not to keep pushing but to hold off and allow the currents of fate to flow freely.

Unfortunately, even at my age I have not learned this lesson and did not know when to stop. I used watercolour in a very heavy handed way to add just a little colour and in so doing (to my mind) I spoilt the picture with a messy background.

Ah well, maybe next time I will take more care and just cease.

Day at the Beach

Took a lone trip to the beach to get some sketching done and it was a beautiful day, warm and sunny but the beach was pretty much deserted. Everyone at work no doubt, but not me... no today I had a very special day off.

Sketched what was left of lunch.

And also my hand holding the apple juice.

Once I had finished I got back to the sketching. I was trying to get to grips with sketching birds from life. Not an easy subject, but then I'm well known for being up for a challenge! I didn't want to use photographic reference but the darn things wouldn't keep still long enough.

It was fun though. I think maybe I shall have to either get really fast in getting my sketch down or use the sketch in conjunction with photographs to make a painting especially of something so quick.

Of course a trip to the seaside is not just for children, I find a visit to the beach always lifts my spirits and the sea air is just so healing.

Teddy with Cookies

Teddy with Cookies ink and watercolour

Yes, it's Teddy again, this time he has cookies to hand just in case he gets peckish! Whenever I am unsure of what to paint Teddy is there, he is definitely my favourite subject - he is part of my comfort zone and I love him. Now I just need to feel as confident with other subjects.

Will You Miss Me?

Sometime when you’re feeling important,
Sometime when your ego’s in bloom,
Sometime when you take it for granted
You’re the most talented one in the room.

Sometime when you feel that your going
Would leave an unfillable hole,
Just follow these simple instructions
And see how it humbles your soul.

Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to your wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that’s remaining
Is a measure of how you’ll be missed.

You can splash all you wish when you enter,
You may stir up the water galore,
But stop, and you’ll find that in no time
It looks quiet, the same as before.

The moral of this is quite simple

You must do just the best that you can,
Be proud of yourself, but remember—
There’s no indispensable man. (Unknown)

Sobering words, don't you think? I don't know who wrote the above but it did the rounds of the offices many years ago and I have never forgotten it.

Recently when contemplating a career move these words came to mind and I realised the impact that I have made on this job is insignificant as when I leave I will soon be forgotten.

Right now everybody says the place wouldn't be the same without me and that I brighten up the whole office, which is very sweet of them but I know that when I leave, in a very short time I will be forgotten. That's life.

However, whilst I'm there I am having a great deal of fun just splashing around. That's how we get through the mundane isn't it? Making it fun.

Rare Moment of Stillness

Ralfi, pencil in sketchbook

Ralfi is my dog and this is a pose he is not often caught in, stillness. I am thinking he really needs to be renamed, Houdini. He's a terrier, which seems to be his best excuse for constantly finding ways of escaping. Since moving house I have lost count of the number of times he has escaped and had me chasing him down the road, along riverbanks, etc.

I wouldn't mind so much if it was just a case of him escaping, me calling and him returning, but no.... I call his name he turns looks at me and then puts an extra spurt of energy into running even faster in the opposite direction!

I have fixed all the places where I think he may have got through to the outside world, but I fear he will outwit me yet. Ah well, I guess it's all exercise!

Reward!

After Richard Doyle - ink on paper

I'm back! Yay! So long away from art and my blog... mostly because of a wretched house move, which was great but kept me from my art (ggrrrhh!) Now happily settled and made a room into a studio space so I have no excuse not to get down to some serious painting.

So, for your patience here is your Reward (the name of the above sketch)!