One From The Archives: In The Quarry.

A sunny day before Covid 19 in Rosehill Quarry, drawing the labyrinth.

One From The Archives: Drawing On The Window.

Here’s a very large, almost life size, drawing I did 8 years ago of my young great-nephew. I stuck a roll of drafting paper to the inside of a large window at the front of Volcano on Swansea’s High Street and perched my nephew on a stool with my Smartphone to keep him occupied while I drew him. Passers-by could see the drawing developing from the pavement.

He was a little boy then, he turned 20 recently! The years have flown by in no time at all.

One From The Archives: Beautiful Head.

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I’ve been thumbing through my portfolios again (there are stacks of them!) and came across this portrait sketch from 2016, I remember really enjoying drawing this model.

A Blast From The Past …

For many years, life drawing has underpinned my drawing practice. When I was in Swansea Art College, I was lucky enough to have been taught by the wonderful artist Glenys Cour. She imparted a love of life drawing that has lasted many decades. I’ve also been lucky enough to have worked with many wonderful models. This is Natie.

A Walk Up The Hill ….

Nephew and I went for a walk up Swansea’s Kilvey Hill / Bryn Cilfai Abertawe this afternoon to lend our support to the campaign to save this lovely nature reserve from insensitive commercial development (more information here). Around 300 people and quite a few dogs and horses made the trek to the summit where there were songs, speeches, poetry, photos and filming, focusing attention on the proposed environmental vandalism. Of course I had to have a few scribbles – here’s one. It’s drawn in graphite and Inktense blocks into a Khadi hand-made paper sketchbook.

#Caturday Saturday

I. Am. Sparta Puss.

Just A Little Something ….

….that I’m working on at the moment, with Caran d’Ache Neo Pastels into a Khadi sketchbook. More to come ….

Cochyn / Redhead.

Husb and I went to a Seed Talk called “The Science of Psychedelics” by Dr. David Luke at Swansea University yesterday evening. There was a woman in the row in front of me with the most amazing red hair, Cochyn in Welsh, so of course I had to have a scribble. I used my (relatively) new Caran D’Ache NeoPastels. I’ve had them a while and tried them out but not had any success until now.

I admire the pastel work of USA-based artist Aletha M. Kuschan and she advised me to try NeoPastels (NOT the Neo Colour). I gave them a go on a couple of things but I wasn’t happy. I had used them on a very heavily textured hand-made paper, but this time I used a lighter-weight Khadi paper and I love the results. It was easy to blend and overlay them. This sketch took about 10 minutes.

Today I Made A Cake….

A classic jam and buttercream sponge. With homemade bramble jelly (foraged locally) and real buttercream. The sponge has a hint of vanilla because I embed vanilla pods into my caster sugar jar. It will be going to Husb’s Life Drawing group tomorrow.

One From The Archives: Bannau Brycheiniog.

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Here’s a scribble from an old sketchbook, a walk on Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) on a sunny but misty afternoon about 8 years ago. I used a range of grey pastels mostly on their side into a black ringbound sketchbook.

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