Category Archives: out and about

The Waiting Room

Went with a loved one to the local hospital for x-rays and took the opportunity to have a scribble while I waited. It’s very selfish but hospital waiting rooms are good places for sketching as people are often very preoccupied and don’t notice you. This elderly man was dressed for the winter and kept hisContinue reading “The Waiting Room”

The Onesie

So what is it about men and onesies? This is the second time I’ve seen a grown man wandering around in a man size Onesie. This chap in a Onesie, waistcoat, big boots and floppy hat was trying on jackets in the YMCA second hand shop in Swansea a few days ago. I didn’t likeContinue reading “The Onesie”

Just Seconds

One of those days – loads of admin and computer and filing and then off to the opening of a friend’s exhibition so I only had SECONDS to do any drawing. But I set myself the task of drawing every day so draw I did. I was doing some voluntary work at Swansea Print WorkshopContinue reading “Just Seconds”

Art’s Birthday

January the 17th is Art’s Birthday according to Robert Filliou, a French Fluxus artist, who proposed “Art’s Birthday” in 1963. He suggested that a million years ago there was no art. But one day, on January 17 Art was born when someone dropped a dry sponge into a bucket of water. Now, lots of artists and artsContinue reading “Art’s Birthday”

The Orange Reflection

There was a strange reflection that caught my eye recently while Husb and I were walking on the beach. The full moon was bright silvery white but its reflection on the calm high tide was orange. I used my little Khadi sketchbook, handmade paper with a very rough texture. I had pre-coloured it with anContinue reading “The Orange Reflection”

On The Hoof

Did some speedy sketching out and about. I put some basic lines down very quickly in pale grey graphite then worked over it when I got home with dark graphite in my A5 Tate Gallery sketchbook. It’s difficult to do much detail when you’re sketching on the hoof, so I find it useful to justContinue reading “On The Hoof”

Testament of Youth

Husb and I went to see the new film based on Vera Brittain’s book, ‘Testament of Youth’ this morning. Deeply moving, I cried buckets but don’t let that put you off. It’s a beautiful film and well worth seeing. Just be sure to take hankies. We sat between 2 couples, one in their 20s andContinue reading “Testament of Youth”

Random Sponging

I sponged a load of Khadi handmade paper with Indian ink washes and the heavy texture of the paper created some lovely variations in tone and texture. I was stuck indoors today working at the computer so Husb and I went for a walk this evening, in the dark and drizzle. We went down toContinue reading “Random Sponging”

Bloke In Pub

Had a quick scribble up the pub tonight. For someone who hardly ever drinks, I’ve been to the same pub twice in 3 days. Tonight we were celebrating the birthday of a dear friend. I didn’t feel like drawing but I force myself to do it, because that’s my job. This bloke was sitting nearbyContinue reading “Bloke In Pub”