Sunday 30 October 2011

Berries and a Virginia Creeper

Following on from yesterday's post about our trip to the Isle of Wight a few weeks ago, I thought I would just drop in a couple of photographs I took on one of our walks there.  At a distance, and how the light was shining, this tree looked like it had millions of tiny red lights on it


and I expect you have guessed 
on closer inspection it was a Yew tree with berries

these berries are actually called  'aril's'  and are wax like - almost looking artificial because they are so perfect.....but then nature can be perfect sometimes don't you think....

another plant I couldn't help but photograph was this Virginia Creeper, doing what its name implies and 'creeping' over a wall making a perfect design






It looks almost 'staged', which is why I had to take a photo!






Saturday 29 October 2011

Trip to the Isle of Wight

No this wasn't the ship we travelled on to the Isle of Wight!  but it is a photograph 'from' the boat we travelled on - and you may recognise it as the Cruise Liner Queen Elizabeth - it's huge and I think has a much sleeker look than its predecessor the QE2.

It doesn't take too long to get from Southampton across to the Island (an hour at most) and the journey is quite enjoyable.  Having taken the car ferry I was glad we were able to take William up on deck with us and he seemed to enjoy the view too


and going up Southampton water you get land on both sides

 passing ships of all kinds, including this Tall Ship from the    Youth Trust

 
 arriving in the port of Cowes - and the weather had improved a bit


We travelled down from Cowes to our Hotel in Shanklin - and sketch from the Hotel gardens and the gazebo overlooking the English channel




This trip was a great opportunity for sketching somewhere different and my Sketchbook
went out and about with me



and something I hadn't seen before - a Church with a compost on its roof!

(well, Thatch actually, but of course as thatch breaks down during its life it basically ends up like a compost)


here's a photo of the actual place
and not the only building with thatch - apart from houses we found this little pub on the beach
with a thatched roof


how quaint is that!



The visit was a great chance to re-visit places we have been to over the years
and I look forward to going back again

and hope you have enjoyed a glimpse at it too.



Monday 24 October 2011

Ramblings with my sketchbook

I thought I would just take time out to share with you some of the sketches in one of my travel sketchbooks.  I use this little sketchbook (by the way it's about 4" x 6" - that's about 10cm x 15cm so it is quite small).  I call it my Travel Sketchbook as usually I leave it in the car so when I go out forgetting my usual sketchbooks and paints, I have at least got something to grab



the paper quality isn't the finest I have ever come across, but at least it is a sketchbook


the opportunity to sit and watch people gives me the chance to very often sit unobserved from a suitable vantage point.  It's lovely being able to do this, especially as people relax when they don't realise they are being drawn - I always fear being told to mind my own business or 'how dare you draw me', but as yet that hasn't happened......thank goodness!

which actually leads on to the fact that when I am in the car, it means I am in my own space and people leave you alone for sure



my Uniball pen comes in very handy as sometimes I don't go in with a pencil first.  The top figure was a chap just resting on his elbow - as usual people move about and he left before I could finish him...doh!  Whereas the lady with sunglasses (I think she realised what I was doing!) stayed in position a bit longer.


as with this lady passing the car.....


and before going shopping I took time to sketch this view - regardless of the industrial building and the car park, there were fields in the distance




and on another occasion this couple with their romantic gesture...

no I wasn't intruding,  there were loads of people about....but it did make a lovely scene especially on a picturesque little bridge!


So there you have it, a glimpse into some of my sketches
in my very small sketchbook






Wednesday 19 October 2011

Trying out a watercolour technique....

One style I quite like in Watercolour is a loose quick style .....I've done several sketches and paintings in this type of style recently and had some very positive feedback about it.   I don't do a pre pencil sketch or outline I just load my brush with the chosen paint and basically draw with the brush, then add drops of stronger colour whilst the first wash is wet.  When that dries I then add some detail.

Here I have done a watercolour of William in that technique



He is quite a difficult subject as his coat is very complicated, but I kept going and the final touch was to add a few strips of white gouche which the photo doesn't show up the same as in reality, but take my word for it.  I was quite pleased with the result, although I think his nose dips a bit too much,  never mind I'll no doubt be doing lots of paintings of him, but for now I'm quite pleased with this one......by the way his expression at the time was "I'm listening to you but I'm not going to look at you" - anyone who has a dog will know that one!









Monday 17 October 2011

Sketchbook Project 2012

I'm gradually working my way through this Project.....slowly, but getting there.   I must admit it was a bit daunting to start with, but gradually I have decided on the various pages and with each page it's enabled me to go naturally on to the next.  If you haven't noticed I'm working my way around a specific area in North Devon. I started out here in Woolacombe, then to Mortehoe, Lee Bay and over to Ilfracombe.  Today I'm going to show you Combe Martin - 2 double pages no less!!







For my next page I'll be travelling inland to South Molton 

a thriving market town


 my paintbrush and pen are poised!!












Friday 14 October 2011

Sunset theme

I seem to have a bit of a theme going lately with sunsets....so have added this one to the list !






Hope life is treating you all well

 
 
 

Monday 10 October 2011

Watching the setting sun

A week or so ago the weather here was back to Summer and the sunsets to go with it.  Luckily we had a camera handy and I captured the sun setting over Woolacombe
















almost gone...



 Gone !

When we got home I just had to do a quick sketch of it -



I kept it really simple by laying on a lot of clear water first and dropping in the colours so they spread. There was very little painting on my part with this....I just wanted to remember the scene in a different way to having the photos.

....Oh, and  I took out the sun by covering the top of a watercolour tube with tissue, it was that easy.





Friday 7 October 2011

wild flowers on Braunton Burrows

Wild flowers abound on    


about 5 miles from Woolacombe



unfortunately I haven't a clue what this is called (bet somebody out there can help)

as with this flower


I thought this was a thistle at a distance but close-up it is obviously
nowhere near a thistle!.....
(again if anyone can help) -

I think I need a book on wild flowers don't you.....





Wednesday 5 October 2011

Glastonbury Tor

I found recently a lovely photo of Glastonbury Tor with the sun setting and a mist at the foot of the hill, so I grabbed my paints and set to making it into a watercolour.





 It measures approx. 10" x 6" for which I don't have a Mount to put it in!.... so will use this painting as a reference for a full sized watercolour in the future, probably looking at something twice this size.
Anyway and meanwhile I'm pleased with this version.