And Another One!

 

Marker pens in moleskine sketchbook

Working with marker pens has been interesting but I’m still not achieving the result I was hoping for.  I may try going back to watercolour - pen & wash.  The strength of the marker pens can be overwhelming and I’m not too keen on the bleed through either.  Although it has been fun sometimes to use the bleed through to create another picture.

I do enjoy using the fine liner for the sketch and I’m warming to the subject matter, but the colouring is not quite there.

Good to be back!

 

Marker pens

Hello everyone, sorry I’ve been away too long.  For personal reasons I was unable to indulge in my painting for quite some time.  But now I’m back and experimenting with quick sketches.

I decided that I would face my fears as in try sketching buildings.  I like quirky and the wonkier the better.  Some have been quite successful and some not so, but it’s all been a learning curve.

I know what I want to achieve, but I’m not quite there yet.

Here are a few… the good, the bad and the ugly.  You choose which is which! lol 😂 

Pen and wash

Pen and ink

Ink

Marker pens

All completed in less than 60 minutes.  There are some bits I like, some I really dislike, but above all I have really enjoyed getting the sketchbook out again!

Old Brickwork

10 min study of old brickwork... watercolour on paper.

I love old brickwork, like many ancient things it has such character.

I have to capture that character and so I think there will be a few more of these studies until I am happy with my progress.

The Buttercross

This is called the Buttercross and it stands in the market square. It used to be a place where butter was sold or so I understand... anyway, it's a landmark in this town and a place where people sit in the summer. I like it.

Sorry about the poor drawing of cars, they are not my best subject!

View of Church

30 min water soluble pencil in sketchbook

Feeling ambitious today... buildings are not easy for me, but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained and I'm always looking to improve. If I don't try these things I will never get better. Bit of a challenge I must admit.

Typically, I didn't plan any kind of comp and therefore the spire went off the page, so I did it separately - that's what sketchbooks are for, isn't it?

Morning sunlight

Ink on watercolour paper

Using a sharpened twig dipped in ink to capture the morning sunlight on my trip out yesterday. I really enjoyed this. The ink is a burnt umber colour which I felt was nicer than stark black.

Warmth can come from unexpected sources.

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.

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!

Garden from Second Floor

30 min pencil on cartridge paper 12" x 9"

Garden from second floor was an interesting sketch to make because the perspective is totally different from high up.

Taking a fresh viewpoint in everyday life can often make us see things in an entirely different way.

Across the River

30 min sketch - view across the river (and yes, the guy in the canoe was really there!) - blue watercolour pencil in Moleskine sketchbook

Early morning is definitely the time to get out there and sketch. Barely anyone around, cold crisp air and the beginning of a New Year. My eye was caught by the little village church on the far shore and when a lone canoeist happened by I decided to include him in my sketch too.

Beyond the View

30 min pencil on cartridge paper - view from the summerhouse.

Home is where the heart is, but what if the heart is no longer there?

Now it's time to put the past behind us and look forward to the future. Time to take courage and step forward, move beyond the pain - move beyond the view into unknown territory.

There is no home in halls of pride,
They are too high, and cold, and wide (Josias Conder)

Tudor Rose

20 min study using watersoluble pencils in sketchbook.

Ancient buildings are so beautiful and it is very sad to see so many lost in the name of progress. Here in a small Norfolk town an old Tudor building has been preserved and many others in this town are still in use. I love the cobbled streets and winding paths, feels like I am stepping back in time whenever I go there.

One Rainy Night

Waiting in the rain at night I used the 10 mins that I was there to do this quick sketch in watersoluble pencil.

The town that I love was lit up by Christmas decorations that sparkled in the rain, but I had no time to do this justice. However, I was pleased with my small effort.

Rough Roof

Watersoluble pencils (Graphitint) on 9" x 6" cold pressed watercolour paper

Rooftop study 15 mins.

Not much time today, but a wonderful view across the street.

Old and ancient buildings are so full of character - I love their rooftops especially with their slightly uneven tiles and mossy edges. They fill me with warmth and nostalgia... so many memories, such stories to tell.