a touch of colour

Hyacinth sketch with a touch of colour ...

this weekend ...

This weekend I did some sketching of some of the little plants I have around in pots, here are some of the results:

A pot of Hyacinths that we have growing in the bathroom, one that isn't open and showing flowers at all, and another that is fairly well underway - from the side and above ...


Viola odorata (sweet violet) details - I also painted these in watercolour, which I'll add to a post when I can get it scanned.


I had fun doing these, it took my mind off all sorts of worries ;)

let it snow ... let it snow ... let it snow ...

Yeah, it's actually snowing in Devon and has been most of the morning, although it ain't settling. It's great to sit in the warm of the office and watch th flakes whizzing by the window ...

the ginger cat ...

It was too cold outside to go sketching during my lunch break so I've been in the office playing in photoshop with the scan I did of the cat in the basket - just to get an idea of which colours to use. Here's what I came up with as a starting point ...



It's a little pale, but I'll bear that in mind when I work it up further in watercolour (when I have the time).

I've also got some ideas in mind for Mother's Day cards - I've said I'll do one for my boyfriend's Mum too ... I want to make a start on those at the weekend, as I have to send the one to my Mum to South Africa (that can take a while!), so hopefully I'll have something to post here next week ...

a rough idea ...

I've been working on some rough ideas, this is the one I've taken the furthest:

I hope to take this a little further over the weekend, in watercolour etc.

following your deepest instinct

I just found this quote ...

"It is only by following your deepest instinct that you can lead a rich life, and if you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct, then your life will be safe, expedient and thin."
Katharine Butler Hathaway

It says a lot don't you think ...

snail mail ...

Last night I did a quick envelope for a decorated envelope / calligraphy thingy, today's the last day to get it posted, but before it goes I decided to scan it and post it here:

I've blurred the address on purpose to protect the recipient's privacy.

Here's a detail of my favourite bit - the snail ...


I'll find out what everyone else has done at the Plymouth Calligrapher's meeting on Saturday ...

today's sketch ...

I don't think today's sketching session was as successful as the last, but at least it got me out of the office and in to the fresh air and sunshine for a bit ...

Here's some of the results:



I've decided to try and share things here for feedback rather than hide everything away in a sketch book and never get any feedback from anyone ... ;) I guess it also makes it worth while for people to come and read my blog.

Don't worry, it won't always be seagulls - promise ;)

It's feeling a little warmer ...

Yesterday was feeling a little warmer so I managed to get a little sketching done during my lunch hour.

Here's some quick sketches of black headed gulls on the Kingsbridge estuary.



I try to go out and sketch during my lunch hour at least twice a week, but it's been a while with it being sooooo coooold! I often sketch the gulls, they can be really comical ...