Gorgeous Gouache!

OMG! I'm in love! I have just discovered the delights of gouache. It's like coming home, I've found my medium, it's better than chocolate even!

This is just a small quick study and maybe if I try something larger I'll come down off this cloud but so far it's so wonderful to work with.

It's like using watercolour but without transparency, it's opaqueness means that it covers even dark colours. It's easy to make changes and yet you can work in detail much easier than with oils (at least for me anyway!)

I cannot wait to have more time so that I can really get to know my new love!

Fluffy Teddy

Teddies are always such an enjoyable subject. This one is in watercolour pencil in the sketchbook and I was rather pleased with how he turned out.

Sketching in the Dark

Pencil in Sketchbook (A4)

Whilst waiting to collect my daughter from work I whiled away the time sketching the car parked in front of me. It was dark with only the street light nearby so I couldn't really see what I was doing, but fairly pleased with the outcome.

It was a lovely way to spend the time.

Toyota Aygo

25 min wc pencil and watercolours in sketchbook

A few minutes to spare waiting in a car park, what else to sketch but a car? My son recognised what it was immediately which was comforting. I must be getting better at cars... maybe.

Meditation Moment

25 min Watercolour and ink on postcard 6" x 4"

A tranquil mood, time for peace. I like this pose.

Real relaxation begins with clearing the mind.

Tree Study

25 min ink study of tree

Down to the park during lunch again. It was sunny and warm, and most enjoyable. Still a long way to go before I get these trees right, but I am happy with how things are going.

Trees

25 min watercolour pencil in sketchbook

Decided to spend some time studying trees as my trees in my paintings leave a lot to be desired. 25 minutes of my lunchbreak well spent I think!

Roses Unfinished

Pencil in sketchbook 25 min (interrupted)

Not quite enough time to finish, but I enjoyed sketching this.

I am really enjoying fitting in my sketches wherever I can. Sometimes I am unable to post them here, but as long as I endeavour to do at least one sketch a day I am happy. Flowers particularly make me happy because they are so delicate and beautiful and bring a welcome splash of colour to brighten a difficult day.

Sorry no colour in this one, but soon...

Songbird

Feeling in top spirits, singing his heart out because suddenly in the sunshine the world has a new clarity, a new vision and the air is full of joy.

Eeyore

He sits so comfortably upon my desk, each time I look at him I smile. Just couldn't resist a sketch.

Rosebuds

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

Heartaches ease in the healing radiance of roses.

Graceful Gull

25 min watercolour pencil in Moleskine sketchbook

Seagulls are fascinating creatures - birds of the sea, they can still instantly fly miles inland to follow the tractor ploughing the fields.

Bread and Butter

25 min watercolour pencil in sketchbook

Had to leave preparing the lunchbox as my dog escaped this morning, so I had to go chasing over the fields after him - what fun! Happily he is safely back home now but it taught me a very valuable lesson - check the gate before you let the dog out! (And a roll without filling is not lunch!)

Comforter

25 min study using Graphitint watersoluble pencils on 12” x 9” paper.

My dog Ralfi with his comfort blanket… a comforter for my comforter!

What wonderful friends dogs are to us humans and what comfort they give in times of sadness as well as times of joy. They are loyal and loving no matter how they are treated. It makes me sad when I hear of a dog that has been neglected or abused. How can anyone be cruel to such adorable creatures?

When my last dog died I made the decision not to have another because my heart was broken at losing her. However, the months seemed so empty and lonely without my dog and walking just didn't seem the same alone. So I went to the RSPCA rescue centre and Ralfi picked me. He has such adorable chocolate brown eyes and once I had gazed into them I was smitten. He is a wonderful character and a joy to have in my home.

He also makes a good subject for my artwork.