A Month Of Maris #16

Sometimes when I’m out and about sketching I have only a few seconds, maybe a minute or two, with a particular subject or pose, so I have to scribble away quickly, and the drawing often becomes very stylised. Here’s a Mari Lwyd from a few years ago, sketched at a Hen Galan pub crawl onContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #16”

A Month Of Maris #14

Here’s another Mari Lwyd sketch from my archives, one from Gellionen Chapel in 2017, back in those heady days before Covid19. we’re creeping closer to Hen Galan, Mari Lwyd’s very own night, which also happens to be the “old” New Year. It’s drawn in black, sanguine and white conté crayons into a spiral bound A4Continue reading “A Month Of Maris #14”

A Month Of Maris #10

We’re at that time of year when the old Welsh tradition of The Mari Lwyd / Y Fari Lwyd, is awakening from her slumbers ready for her night, Hen Galan, on January 13th – the New Year in the old Gregorian Calendar. This monotype with chine collé is based on a sketch I did when the Ystrad MariContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #10”

A Month Of Maris #9

I can’t work out if I think this Mari is sinister or funny, there’s an edge to this drawing. I drew her at Gellionen Chapel in January 2018 when it was visited by Mari Ystrad from Ystradgynlais. The chapel is over 330 years old and set in isolation on Mynydd Gellionen Mountain, with spectacular viewsContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #9”

A Month Of Maris #8.

This is another Mari Lwyd from my archives that I’m posting through December and early January up until her night, Hen Galan on January 13th. This “live” sketch was made late in 2016 at an appearance by the Mari in Gellionen Chapel. All the Maris I’ve seen have different looks and personalities, I think this one looks quite goofy andContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #8.”

A Month Of Maris #6

Here’s a monotype Mari Lwyd from my archives. I’m posting them through December and early January up to her night, Hen Galan on January 13th. I did this very early in 2017 and it was based on a “live” sketch I did the previous month at an appearance by the Mari in Gellionen Chapel. I used chine collé toContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #6”

A Month Of Maris #2.

It’s The Mari Lwyd / Y Fari Lwyd time of year. She’s waking up and getting ready for her night, Hen Galan on January 13th. I have a lot of drawings and prints done over the past few years and I’m going to post my archive to get us all in the mood. Here’s another fromContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #2.”

A Month Of Maris #1.

We’re at that time of year when the old Welsh tradition of The Mari Lwyd / Y Fari Lwyd, is awakening from her slumbers ready for her night, Hen Galan, a month away early in the New Year. I’m going to post my archive Mari Lwyds throughout December and early January to get us allContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #1.”

Doing A Stretch

Sketching en plein air at Gellionen Chapel last weekend was like sketching anywhere else, the first one or two drawings are quick warm-up sketches, a bit like doing stretches before exercising or running. They get you into the mood, into the flow and also recognise that drawing is a very physical activity. This is myContinue reading “Doing A Stretch”

Big Scary ‘Oss

Here’s another drawing from my visit to Gellionen Chapel last Sunday for the service featuring the Ystrad Mari Lwyd. There are different incarnations of the Mari Lwyd across the UK and in parts of England she pops up as the Hobby Horse or ‘Obby ‘Oss and is usually associated with celebrations around May Day, ratherContinue reading “Big Scary ‘Oss”