Summer Solstice

Watercolour pencil in small moleskine sketchbook

Summer Solstice was earlier this year, I am told it was because it's a Leap Year.  The Longest Day.  The day indeed seemed long to me because I managed to pack so much into it and even had time for this quick sketch.

Standing stones are so magical, they always capture my imagination.

Monday Morning Blues

Watercolour pencil in moleskine sketchbook

I thought I should try to get back to doing a sketch a day if I can like I used to.  Life got in the way a bit, as it so often does, but now I feel able to make time in my busy day to do that which I love.

This is just a quick sketch.  Monday is always the worst day for me, having to be at work, start of the week and the weekend seems so far away.  I often think of Bob Geldof's song "I don't like Mondays".  Of course I don't go and "shoot the whole day down"  :)   I usually simply try to find the positives and today it was the people in my life, not just friends but also acquaintances that got me through my Monday morning blues.  A cheery smile, a laugh, a chat... little things that mean a lot, just people taking time to show they care.

Beach Baby

Another baby painting as I endeavour to get to grips with figures and using acrylics.

Very quick sketch as I just wanted to get the general idea down. Poor skintones but these would be improved when doing a proper painting.

Acrylics in sketchbook.

Back to Fitness

20 mins sketch graphite on sketchpad

Working my way back to fitness, both physically and creatively. Poor health has kept me from my artwork for too long.

No more time for tears. No more wallowing. Now is the time for action.

One day at a time... gently stretching myself a little further each time, always improving, growing stronger all the way. I will show them, I won't be beaten.

South Gates

20 min sketch at the South Gates.

Quiet Sunday morning and a different town... the place where my roots are.

There are ruins of the old town wall all around but this is the most dramatic, the old South Gates... these days cars pass through it and beside it.

Every time I pass through I think what a wonderful painting it would make but it's a busy road and difficult to get a good place to paint. However, Sunday morning is ideal and I managed a quick sketch before I passed by today.

Not such a good sketch, but next time maybe I will get more time.

View from Market Square

20 min Ink sketch from Market Square (the steps on the left lead up into the Buttercross).

Very hot day but I needed to sketch and here is my effort for the day.

Leafy Twig

25 min ink and water soluble pencil in sketchbook

Back to my little patch of grass and here I found a delightful leafy twig.

It's great sketching outdoors because all sorts of people come by and chat. I would say if you are ever lonely and in need of company get out and sketch!

During my lunchbreak today I got chatting to a passerby, a young lady who informed me I had inspired her to take out her sketchbook. Another convert to the wonderful world of art!

Little Patch of Grass

Water soluble pencil in sketchbook

There is always something to sketch.... even a little patch of grass has interest for me. Took my lunchbreak out on an open patch of grass and of course had to sketch!

Park Bench

Ink in sketchbook 20 min

Such a nice sunny day I decided to take a walk in the park during my lunch. Of course my ink bottle was handy and using a sharpened twig I sketched this little scene. It's the park bench where I often sit at lunchtime.

Yellow Flowers

Oils on postcard

Quick sketch in oils. I love oils! These are fast drying oils (alkyds) and they are great to use on my small studies.

Tree Study

Oils on postcard

Using a very limited palette I tried a quick tree study. My trees are usually horrendous - believe me, this is an improvement!

I know...... keep practising. :)

I must admit I had a wonderful time painting this - sitting in the local park, in brilliant sunshine (yes, sometimes it's sunny in England!) with my paints out on the grass. What a great way to spend a lunchbreak.

Isolation

Aloneness, not always unwelcomed. Far from the madding crowd protected by nature to find peace in sun-warmed walls, secret secluded gardens. Self-imposed abandonment.

Violets

20 min watercolour pencil sketch

You'll look at least on love's remains,
A grave's one violet:
Your look?--that pays a thousand pains.
(Browning)

People Watching

20 min sketch watercolour pencil

Just spending a pleasant afternoon watching the people go by at Sandringham. The sun is shining and all is well with the world.

Street scene

20 min street scene

This was 7 am before work, which explains the deserted street, but Costa Coffee was open for business. After the sketch I went in for a fabulous hot chocolate.... Mmmmm, great way to start the day!

Church over the River

20 min sketch

Morning sunlight contrasting with strong shadow on this church across the river caught my attention and I just had to capture it in this quick sketch.

The weather here is better - more sunshine even though the wind is still cold - it cheers the heart. Spring is here! Yay!!!!

20 min watercolour pencil in Moleskine sketchbook.

I adore this little teddy with his scarf and hat, all wrapped up against the cold. He looks kind of cosy, doesn't he?

As long as you wrap up warm, even the coldest weather can be endured. It's simply a question of being prepared.

Single Rose

20 mins Watercolour on Bockingford paper 10" x 7".

Whispers of passion

reaching full of dreams for love -

Beware hidden thorns.

Pretty Little Flowers

20 minutes or thereabouts - ink and watercolour on 10" x 7" Bockingford paper.

Unsure what these pretty little flowers are... probably some kind of chrysanthemum. They are much prettier in real life than my painting shows, but I enjoyed trying to capture their delicacy.

I seem to be painting flowers more and more, perhaps because they bring me so much pleasure.

Unknown Flower

Beautiful but the name escapes me. There is nothing worse than somebody forgetting your name, it makes you feel unimportant, insignificant and less than you are. Names are important!

To make it up to this pretty flower I shall make an effort to discover what it is called.


*I have discovered it is a Gerbera (thanks, Jamie!)