Tag Archives: cafe

Sunshine on Ratcliffe Terrace

A caffeine fuelled sketch of a sunny corner in the Southside of Edinburgh.

This morning I enjoyed a flat white and a sketch in the sun as spring is certainly, beginning, almost here although when the sun went behind the clouds it felt like autumn!

So good to be out sketching on the streets again though, and I have more in person sketching workshops coming up later in the month so look out for me 🙂

The lovely looking purple, or is it maroon? building on the corner is The Earl Grange Cafe

A cafe at the centre of the Community

This months #supportabusinesssketch is Piecebox Cafe in Polwarth, a pretty place which is much more than a cafe. 

Whilst enjoying a delicious late breakfast with my boy James I noticed just how a vital part of the local are the cafe is. Locals would enter with a welcome shout of their name from the staff which reminded me of Norm in the TV program Cheers.

Chatting to owner Audrey I also found out many of the locals hold birthday parties there and there was a sense this was a way for people to come together and see friendly faces, which they may not of seen for a while recently.

I can see why locals love it so much, and why it was suggested as a great place for me to sketch. Plus it looks lovely from the road too!

These drawings in pencil and watercolour are a way to say thank you for keeping us all going during the lockdowns. Often a walk for me needs a destination, and a good cup of coffee to enjoy on the return leg will do nicely. Piecebox, although not local for me was nominated by a few people recently so I thought I needed to visit.

So drop in if you are passing, and give a little back to the small businesses that are keeping us going. Also let me know by commenting below if you have a local trader who is keeping your spirits up during the pandemic.

And if you would like to send a boost to your local independent business then make a sketch/drawing or painting and post it online with the hashtag #supportabusinesssketch

Crumbs Cafe supplying us with coffee and more

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is for Crumbs Cafe on Logie Green Road, just by the Tesco and cycle path. This sunny spot on the corner of Broughton Road will soon have seats outside once more, but for now you can get takeaway food and coffee for your daily walk.

These drawings in pencil and watercolour are to say thank you for keeping us all going during the pandemic 😊👍 For me coffee is my essential daily treat and a walk to get it makes it even better, as well as a hello and quick chat it makes the world of difference during the relative isolation at home.

So drop in if you are passing, and give a little back to the small businesses that are keeping us going. Also let me know by commenting below if you have a local trader who is keeping your spirits up during the pandemic.

Crumbs Cafe on Facebook

great fish and chips

My next #supportabusinesssketch is for the famous City Restaurant on Nicolson Street just by the Festival Theatre.

This place serves great gluten free fish and chips and deserves a shout out for staying open during these tough times. My family love their big portions and American diner atmosphere, plus they have great viws from upstairs for watching the busy city folk going about their business.

Pop in and help support a local business.

I am using these sketches to practice my pencil and watercolour sketching, omitting my usual black fineliner to create a softer look.

If you know a hidden gem of a small independant business in the city, who deserves a sketch for their efforts staying open during the current pandemic then let me know. I will pick ones to sketch during the coming weeks.

Cafe portraits

‘Catching up over a cup of tea’

I was up sketching in the cafe of John Lewis this week, early for a meeting. I love trying to capture people in my sketches, although I find it hard.

It can be tough to communicate the movement, curves, colours and characteristics of a real life person, compared to a non moving straight forward building!!

I do like the resulting portraits though, a moment in time, un-posed and natural. What do you think?

Coffee before meeting

This morning I discovered the Tasty Buns Bakery on Bread Street, and promised myself I would return for cake!

The weather outside was freezing cold and this welcoming wee cafe was perfect – the silky smooth latte even better.

I felt the blood returning to my fingers as I sketched this doddle from my chair.

The meeting was a success, and I know have work to do in doors through the oncoming snow season!

The Tasty Buns twitter feed

New art in the Haven cafe, in Leith

haven prints photoThe Haven cafe provides fresh and tasty fry ups from its Anchorfield home in Newhaven.

With friendly staff, fresh made to order food and scrummy home baked cakes it is no wonder this popular cafe is always busy. I love the fact I have a wall of framed artwork for sale there as it gives me the perfect reason to visit!

The Banana Flats sketch, top left is a giclee print which I have added watercolour too to create an original piece, is £49. The square Victoria Bridge, top right is also a giclee print from an original watercolour painted on location in Leith, and that is £65 in the frame.

A true locals secret this place is well worth a visit if in Leith, and much, much better value than many close by. Plus the walls are full of local artwork, what more do you want!

The Haven Cafe website

 

Christmas stars, strong coffee and perfect pastries, at Victor Hugo

VictorHugos pencil doodleThis Edinburgh deli has been a strong favourite of Mrs Sketcher and I for a long time, ever since we discovered it as a haven of normality when our baby was staying at the Sick Kids hospital.

Almost six years later and we still love sitting in the window looking out over the Meadows as we sip cappuccinos and let our worries fade into daydreams.

Sketcher Twin 1 had an appointment at Rillbank this afternoon and so found ourselves there once again but this time looking through sparkly Christmas stars in the window, and doodling with Sketcher Twin 2. I will miss this place when the hospital moves out to Little France next year, and the views over the ever changing Meadows Park.

Today’s drawing doodled in pencil

Victor Hugos Delicatessen twitter page.

A friendly welcome at the ever popular Haven Cafe in Newhaven

TheHavenCafe insideMy favourite cafe in Edinburgh and coincidentally one of the first locations to show my work!

This week I popped in to The Haven Cafe which is situated opposite the Chancelot Mill at 9 Anchorfield,
Edinburgh to restock my wall of sketches and grab a gluten free bacon buttie and mug of tea.

The Haven serves the best breakfast in Edinburgh and their relaxed atmosphere, vintage decor and superb home style baking makes this Newhaven landmark a favourite pit stop of mine.

Since 2011 the Havenettes have been serving fine food to the people of Edinburgh and almost as long had a gallery of Edinburgh Sketcher prints for sale on their wall.

Pop in for a bite to eat and check out my seaside inspired wall of sketches, all framed and available to buy off the wall.

Sketch made on location in fineliner and watercolour. 

The Haven Cafe online.

Havenhomeimage

 

The Café Royal, on West Register Street.

CafeRoyal_colourThe Café Royal is a true Edinburgh landmark, with its beautiful lines and exquisite stonework it has long been a building I have wanted to draw.

Designed by architect Robert Paterson the elegant stained glass and Victorian plaster work make this a stunning building, especially when light up at night which it was when I visited just before Christmas.

Although there is currently plenty of construction work going on around the building, I was glad to find out The Café Royal is listed and will be preserved for future generations to appreciate its beauty.

This drawing was created for a Christmas present commission in December, it measured 25cm square and cost £145. If you would like to discuss commissioning and original drawing email me here.

This sketch was made with black ink and watercolour, both the colour and a black only version can be purchased as a mounted print from just £19.50. Email me for more information.

The Café Royal website

CafeRoyal_black