Where did the start of the year go? Catch up Part 1
I can't quite believe that it is the middle of April already despite the lack of blogging here, I've actually been out and about sketching quite a lot.
JANUARY
At the suggestion of two of my close sketching buddies, Adelina (whose work can be seen here ) and Mike we decided to get together for the first trip of the year. As snow, hail and rain was predicted, together with cold temperatures, we opted for somewhere warm - The John Rylands Library in Manchester.
For those that have not come across this building - here is a link to the website so you can see what a wonderful place it really is.
After a catch up over a hot cup of tea, we settled in the reading room round a table to draw. Now this is where I find it difficult - there is a huge building and its intimidating to know where to start; so using a tip from my reflections blog, I picked a part of the room.
This was where the mirror I had picked up at the entrance to the reading room came in handy. Rather than straining your neck to look at the ceilings, you can just use the mirror to look at them. So armed with this, I set about drawing the ceiling structure.
The initial lines were in pencil and then I used my green Sailor pen for different thicknesses of ink line. This was the first time I had used the Sailor pen in a couple of weeks and it showed as the ink didn't flow as easily as it normally did, so its a clean out for that this week.
At this point is normally when I manage to screw up my drawings by adding watercolour; however, I'm getting better at both laying down washes, understanding layering and knowing when to stop.
There are three layers of watercolour on this; the initial layer over the light coloured ceiling roses and the stonework, followed by a darker layer for the shadows and the final dark layer at the darkest shadows.
For me this is perhaps, another step along in my journey, as I felt at home using all my materials without hesitation and I stopped worrying about if it had wonkiness. I've also stopped comparing my work to others and accepting my own individual style.
FEBURARY
I managed one of my last 'freedom' trips to London to sketch with the Urban Sketchers London at the British Museum just before I had to return to work after my year off. It was nice to explore the other bits of the British museum that I'd not seen as well as meeting other sketchers . In addition, James Hobbs (author of Sketch Your World) told me that the reflections post from the end of the year had about 10,000 views on the International Urban Sketchers website - I'm overwhelmed with the response to it and its so nice to see people being encouraged and inspired by my journey.
My initial challenge at the Museum was sketching the Easter Island statue that I had not had time to sketch during my last visit. Then a mid day sharing session before the afternoon.
At the suggestion of James Hobbs I then explored the African section downstairs and found a nice display of throwing knives. (eventually I will find the picture and upload it here) I don't think my drawing did them justice and on reflection I needed to draw bigger (that piece of advice again) to be able to add detail. I also found some calligraphic statues that kind of grabbed my attention - I think these were more successful. You will notice that I was back drawing in pencil only - for some reason my confidence in using colour disappeared by this point. I'm not sure why but I persisted in drawing at least.
My original plan had been to sketch the Great Courtyard, but I just felt I couldn'd do it as it is so big, however, I did spend some time drawing 'bits' to get to grips with the perspective of stairs and curves in the courtyard. Eventually I will draw it - just might take a little more time.
Towards the end of February, I took a day trip to France with the family and even with two children in tow I managed to find time for a little sketch. This time I sat on the sandy beach outside the aquarium in Bolougne and drew the harbour. I think this was when I started to get into skylines as shapes, again this is in pencil only, with a touch of colour added to the lighthouses at the habour entrance after the photo was taken.
JANUARY
At the suggestion of two of my close sketching buddies, Adelina (whose work can be seen here ) and Mike we decided to get together for the first trip of the year. As snow, hail and rain was predicted, together with cold temperatures, we opted for somewhere warm - The John Rylands Library in Manchester.
For those that have not come across this building - here is a link to the website so you can see what a wonderful place it really is.
After a catch up over a hot cup of tea, we settled in the reading room round a table to draw. Now this is where I find it difficult - there is a huge building and its intimidating to know where to start; so using a tip from my reflections blog, I picked a part of the room.
This was where the mirror I had picked up at the entrance to the reading room came in handy. Rather than straining your neck to look at the ceilings, you can just use the mirror to look at them. So armed with this, I set about drawing the ceiling structure.
The initial lines were in pencil and then I used my green Sailor pen for different thicknesses of ink line. This was the first time I had used the Sailor pen in a couple of weeks and it showed as the ink didn't flow as easily as it normally did, so its a clean out for that this week.
At this point is normally when I manage to screw up my drawings by adding watercolour; however, I'm getting better at both laying down washes, understanding layering and knowing when to stop.
There are three layers of watercolour on this; the initial layer over the light coloured ceiling roses and the stonework, followed by a darker layer for the shadows and the final dark layer at the darkest shadows.
For me this is perhaps, another step along in my journey, as I felt at home using all my materials without hesitation and I stopped worrying about if it had wonkiness. I've also stopped comparing my work to others and accepting my own individual style.
FEBURARY
I managed one of my last 'freedom' trips to London to sketch with the Urban Sketchers London at the British Museum just before I had to return to work after my year off. It was nice to explore the other bits of the British museum that I'd not seen as well as meeting other sketchers . In addition, James Hobbs (author of Sketch Your World) told me that the reflections post from the end of the year had about 10,000 views on the International Urban Sketchers website - I'm overwhelmed with the response to it and its so nice to see people being encouraged and inspired by my journey.
 |
| Getting some inspiration on the way down on the train |
My initial challenge at the Museum was sketching the Easter Island statue that I had not had time to sketch during my last visit. Then a mid day sharing session before the afternoon.
My original plan had been to sketch the Great Courtyard, but I just felt I couldn'd do it as it is so big, however, I did spend some time drawing 'bits' to get to grips with the perspective of stairs and curves in the courtyard. Eventually I will draw it - just might take a little more time.
Towards the end of February, I took a day trip to France with the family and even with two children in tow I managed to find time for a little sketch. This time I sat on the sandy beach outside the aquarium in Bolougne and drew the harbour. I think this was when I started to get into skylines as shapes, again this is in pencil only, with a touch of colour added to the lighthouses at the habour entrance after the photo was taken.
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