A Bit Of Columbian

I was down at Swansea Print Workshop earlier and took some time to scribble the lovely old Columbian printing press. Dating from quite early in Queen Victoria’s reign (1855) this beauty is still in use, even though it’s a little bit wobbly and idiosyncratic. It’s quite complex and I’m right out of my comfort zone,Continue reading “A Bit Of Columbian”

Richard The Bird’s Holiday

Richard, our family parrot, has come to stay for a couple of weeks while his trained monkeys are on holiday. He’s fair game for a scribble, but he’s such a fidget and won’t keep still. I tried him with a Koh I Noor graphite pencil in 8B first, then went back to my comfort zone,Continue reading “Richard The Bird’s Holiday”

The Red Castle

Husb and I celebrated St. David’s Day today with a quick trip up the Valleys to visit Castell Coch, which is Welsh for the Red Castle. It was packed to the rafters with visitors so I didn’t have much time to draw, just a quick sketch of some of the extraordinary carvings above one ofContinue reading “The Red Castle”

Crowd Control

Standing in a queue is a good opportunity to do some crowd sketching. I like to draw individuals because, to be honest, it’s easier. But I shouldn’t stay in my comfort zone so I did these two crowd sketches when I was standing in a queue yesterday. Drawing in a crowd forces you to bringContinue reading “Crowd Control”

Dark Expressions

There have been some very high tides for the last couple of days so Husb and I went down to the beach earlier this evening for a look. I took my little hand made Khadi paper sketchbook that I’d prepared with an Indian ink wash, rubbed on with a small natural sponge. I sat inContinue reading “Dark Expressions”

I Scream Ice Cream

Just a quick one at the end of the evening, a speedy sketch I did at the local ice cream parlour, Joe’s, a landmark for generations of Swansea Jacks, one of the widespread Italian cafés that grew across Wales in the early 20th century. The ice cream is sublime, possibly the best vanilla in theContinue reading “I Scream Ice Cream”

Beach Dog

On the beach. A dog. And its trained monkeys. This afternoon, in glorious Spring weather, walking with Husb and little nephew along the promenade in Swansea Bay. It was beautiful and sunny and I snapped this little group at the water’s edge and scribbled from the drawing this evening with graphite into my A5 TateContinue reading “Beach Dog”

Spring!!!!!!

Has sprung!   Husb and I had a long walk around Swansea Bay earlier, it was glorious weather, crisp and sunny. The prom and beach were full of action, cycling, boarding, skating, running, jogging, walking, dog walking. We stopped for a pot of tea at Blackpill Lido and I scribbled this family at a nearbyContinue reading “Spring!!!!!!”

Canine Couture

I spent a lovely afternoon at Galerie Simpson, Swansea’s newest arthouse, helping with the new exhibition which opens tomorrow. And I spent a half hour drawing the delightful gallery puppies, Sonny and Betty, in their couture puppy jackets. The new show features original prints by contemporary artists including Gavin Turk, Jamie Reid and Gary HumeContinue reading “Canine Couture”