At The Swansea Fringe: 5

I was one of the “Live” sketchers at this year’s Swansea Fringe, and here’s one of the musicians at Elysium on the first night, in a band called Whilbur. I used graphite onto a thick vintage paper (not watermarked), a water reservoir brush and Derwent Inktense blocks. 

At The Swansea Fringe: 4

When I start a sketching session, I usually do a few quick warm-up sketches, to get in the groove. Here are some from Thursday and Friday at Swansea Fringe, at Elysium. I generally do these on cheaper cartridge paper with graphite, and I don’t normally use colour on these. Their purpose is to get up toContinue reading “At The Swansea Fringe: 4”

At The Swansea Fringe: 3

 I was one of the “Live” sketchers at this year’s Swansea Fringe, and here’s one of the musicians at Elysium on the first night, in a band called Whilbur. I used graphite onto a thick vintage paper (not watermarked), a water reservoir brush and Derwent Inktense blocks. That violin was REALLY HARD to draw.

At The Swansea Fringe: 2

 “Live” sketching at this year’s Swansea Fringe, and here’s one of the Rainyday Rainbow musicians at Elysium on the first night. He looked a bit like a cartoon character in real life, I thought, so I drew him like that. I used graphite onto a thick vintage paper (not watermarked), a water reservoir brush and a DerwentContinue reading “At The Swansea Fringe: 2”

Trying Too Hard…

Sometimes I just try too hard and I end up with a drawing that is over-worked and without much life. This was a very striking woman in the audience at one of the music events at the recent Swansea Fringe, but because she was quite still, I worked too slowly and lost the spontaneity ofContinue reading “Trying Too Hard…”

The Quick Scribbles: 1

When I go into a venue to draw at a gig, I usually start off by scribbling a few quick sketches. It wakes up my muscle memory and I can check if I feel comfortable drawing in that position – is there enough space or am I being jostled? Is there somewhere to rest myContinue reading “The Quick Scribbles: 1”

The Happy Imbiber.

Here’s a very happy chap at one of the Swansea Fringe gigs at Hangar 18, He was dancing very energetically but never spilled his pint! Kudos.

Three Heads, Three Hats.

Here are some heads and hats I scribbled while I was drawing at gigs during Swansea Fringe recently. The hat in the middle was particularly hard to draw.

Behind The Scenes.

Here’s another scribble from the recent Swansea Fringe, of a roadie setting up. The equipment doesn’t get itself on stage, the sound of the band relies upon those who work hard behind the scenes.

Setting Up.

When I’m sketching at gigs, I don’t just draw the performers, although they probably take up most of my time. I’ll also scribble the audience, and those unsung heroes of the live music scene, the roadies who rush on between acts to set up the equipment. Here’s one at Elysium during the Swansea Fringe.