The Beautiful Machine

A while back, I had a small rubber stamp made up from a silkscreen print I did based on the fabulous Frida Kahlo, an artist I admire very much. I printed it onto small leftover pieces of a beautiful Japanese Shiohara paper that I had been using for another print job. I had been wonderingContinue reading “The Beautiful Machine”

Out Of The Gloom

I’m ploughing on with atmospheric sketches based on digital photos from the old church in Swansea that I visited a few weeks ago. I’m trying to keep it as minimal as possible, with more black than white, emphasising the chiaroscuro. I’m using conte crayon into an A4 ‘Ebony’ sketchbook by Daler Rowney. I took theContinue reading “Out Of The Gloom”

Chiaroscuro In A Doorway

After a bit of a break for Xmas and too much good food and gallivanting, it’s head down for a bit more serious work. I’m carrying on with my series of small drawings from photos taken in the old church recently, using the simplest of materials, white conte crayon into an A4 Daler Rowney ‘Ebony’Continue reading “Chiaroscuro In A Doorway”

Wellies And Woods

This afternoon, Husb and I went for a family walk in the gorgeous Penllergare Woods, just north of Swansea. It’s a spectacular Victorian garden, established by the photography pioneer John Dillwyn Llewellyn, that is being restored to its former glory. He had the valley of the Afon (River) Llan landscaped in the ‘Picturesque‘ style. IContinue reading “Wellies And Woods”

Little Lou Lou

Husb and I visited relatives today and met the latest little addition to the family, a naughty Tortie called Lou Lou. She’s about 5 months old, shorthaired and looks like there’s some Siamese in her. She’s very leggy with big ears and a long nose and huge saucer eyes all wrapped up in a brindledContinue reading “Little Lou Lou”

Cats, Moon, Sonic Screwdriver

It’s been a very drizzly day and there’s thick cloud this evening so there’s no sign of the Xmas Full Moon, so here’s a photo of the Xmas Eve nearly-full moon that we saw last night bouncing up over the rooftops opposite. And first thing this morning, Sparta Puss and Ming The Merciless wouldn’t letContinue reading “Cats, Moon, Sonic Screwdriver”

And Now For Something Completely Different!

Or a change is as good as a rest. I’m arted out! I wanted to have a break so I started knitting. I’m making some fingerless mittens, very useful for someone who does a lot of outdoor scribbling in all weathers. You can find the pattern here, from another blogger, Crafty Little Sewnsew. I’m usingContinue reading “And Now For Something Completely Different!”

Nothing Fancy

Another vista from the old church, a spooky corridor beyond a heavy door. It was a dark and rainy day when I took the photos, no artificial light and precious little natural light which added to the atmospherics of the place. I decided not to use a flash because I wanted the deep shadows andContinue reading “Nothing Fancy”

And A Cranny

Yesterday I drew a nook in the old church and today I drew a cranny. I was lucky enough to be able to take some photographs in an early 20th century church a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been drawing from them using white conte crayon into my Daler Rowney Ebony sketchbook. It’s pullingContinue reading “And A Cranny”

A Nook?

Is it a nook or a cranny? Here’s another very quick sketch based on some digital photos I took last week in an old church that is up for sale. It’s surprising how many nooks and crannies there are in old buildings. From the outside, it doesn’t look like it’s been extended but inside, thisContinue reading “A Nook?”