Tag Archives: paint

Mocha by my side

Inspired to draw a small sketch each morning before beginning my work.

Whilst watching last nights TV – a catch up of the brilliant Grayson Perry’s Art Club on 4od and especially the feature on painter and sculptor Maggi Hambling who starts every day with a drawing to get in the rhythm, I was inspired to do the same.

So here is mine today, Mocha, my muse again. This time in pencil with a wee dash of watercolour. Now to my commissions. Have a great day 😊

I recommend you all catch up on Grayson’s Art Club, fascinating and uplifting.

New Year New Skills at the Engine Shed in Stirling

montage sketchesI will be running a series of workshops in Stirling this year at the Engine Shed, an educational conservation centre.

Scotland’s first dedicated building conservation centre is run by Historic Environment Scotland. Since opening last year it serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the general public, and is a fascinating place to visit.

The original ‘shed’ dates back to around 1900, built as a goods transfer building it lies on the banks of the River Forth opposite the train station and enjoys great views over Stirling to the Castle.

I was there this time last week for a day of sketching and will return for more next month. During the morning I supplied paper and pens to visitors and encouraged them to sketch the displays as they toured the shed, before adding some paint with a watercolour wash. Above are some of the fabulous drawings created by visitors.

sketchers

In the afternoon we had a more structured two and a half hour class where we worked on some sketching exercises and I shared some time saving tips to help capture a complicated view in a few quick lines.

I look forward to returning in February and to book a place on the next Sketcher Day keep an eye on the Engine Shed What’s On page via the link below.

The Engine Shed website

montage masks

The Dazzle Ship in Leith, Edinburgh

DazzleShip

Stunning reflections of the mesmerising Dazzle Ship by Ciara Phillips, in Leith as part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2016.

The contemporary coloured Dazzle Ship docked in Leith (near Ocean Terminal) was designed by the Turner Prize-nominated artist Ciara Phillips and will be available to see until August 28th.

Ciara Phillips’ Every Woman was co-commissioned by Edinburgh Art Festival and 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Art Commissions and is actually the fourth Dazzle Shipto be commissioned after similar works in London and Liverpool which collectively commemorate the period from 2014 to 2018.

It wasn’t until I got up close to the shear size of the bold strokes of colour that I fell in love with the piece.

These unmissable floating artworks provide a visual connection to the hundreds of Dazzle Ships that crossed the seas during the First World War.

I had passed the ship by car and seen it from a distance but it wasn’t until I got up close to the shear size of the bold strokes of colour that I fell in love with the piece. Go and see it on the Prince of Wales Dock where there is also information panels telling the story of this artwork and more about the history of Dazzle Ships.

You can also get involved by creating your own ‘dazzle’ design on the Dazzle It App, follow the 14-18 Now link below to find out more.

Ciara Phillips

Edinburgh Art Festival website

14-18-Now website

dazzleshipphoto1

 

 

Tools of the trade

ToolsOfTheTradeToday I thought I’d show my sketching tools which I take around with me, my must have items to help me sketch on the go.

It’s changed over the years as I’ve tried new mediums and left others out to save space and time. Most of it wraps up in a neat leather case so I can carry it round with me at all times.

I love to see behind the scenes of a picture, meeting the artist and learning a little more about how they work adds to my appreciation of a piece of work. So I thought I’d share my tools of the trade with you.

Do you have a sketch kit you take everywhere and if o how does it differ from mine?

The WhereArtI Quiz, 2nd March

WAI020315WhereArtI time, can you tell me where I am sketching this week? As it’s the first WhereArtI of the month the answer could be anywhere in Scotland…

 

There are points on offer for the first three correct answers and bragging rights for a week 🙂 Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before the end of the day.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

 

Remember WhereArtI runs every Monday in the Edinburgh Evening News with a fantastic prize each week. You could win a bottle of Edinburgh Gin plus a tour of their city centre distillery. Buy a copy today to find out more.

Inspired to print, coins and fingers

coinprinting
After a week learning about lithographic printing at Jane Street Printing in Leith,  I and the Sketcher Twins were inspired to make our own prints this weekend.

Using coins, fingers and brushes we ‘spent’ the morning making marks on several pieces of paper, a montage of which I have added here. And a tip if you are inspired to do the same, the less paint you have on the coin the better the print, up to a point.