Tag Archives: pen

Looking to the night sky

The recent #WormMoon which has been distracting me the past few nights.

I used binoculars to follow its path across the night sky tonight, so beautiful, so amazing to see all the creators and markings. How amazing, and terrifying it would be to look back at earth from up there.

Thanks to friend Katie, or Ktp_kaptures who has steadier hands than I and caught the amazing photo I sketched from.

WhereArtI Edinburgh?

Can you tell me where I have sketched?

A climb to a view of tall cranes, but can you name the street I stand in.

Leave your answer in the comment box below. Your comment will not show up until I reveal the answer tomorrow.

I will pick a random winner from all correct entries on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘Winners wall’ for the month. At the end of the month one of those on the wall will be picked to receive a prize.

The prize for November is a pack of my Edinburgh Christmas cards, a set of six illustrated Edinburgh locations, each one coming with a white envelope.

Your comment will not show up until the winner is announced. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed later today, and I will pick a winner for the Winners Wall tomorrow afternoon.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the beauty in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next!

If you would like to buy a set of my Edinburgh Christmas cards you can find them in my Etsy shop.

Happy 21st Birthday to Apex Hotels

Apex21st VenueCastleLast week Apex Hotels celebrated being 21 years old and I was invited to capture the occasion in sketches.

A party was held at the magnificent Heights venue on top of the Apex Grassmarket, which has fantastic views over Edinburgh Castle. I have visited before for breakfast and here is a link to by previous sketch.

It was nice to be back as Apex Hotels, who now have 4 venues in Edinburgh, turned 21 years old. Other locations include Haymarket and Waterloo Place.

Apex21st Castle

I tried to capture the atmosphere, colours and movement from the night with my sketchpad and watercolours as I mingled with guests and staff enjoying a rare night off to mark their achievements.

Gifts were given out throughout the night, including a voucher for an Edinburgh Sketcher commission and head chef Tony Singh provided delicious canapes for those enjoying the party.

Apex21st VenueCake

If you would like me to capture your event in sketches email me here to discuss details.

All sketches drawn on the night with pen and watercolours, and my water brush. 

Apex Hotels website

Apex21st Cupcake

Surrounded by stunning details inside the Assembly Rooms

AssemblyRooms_corniceI’ve been trying to capture the beautiful interior flourishes which are all around inside the grand Assembly Rooms on Edinburgh’s George Street.

This is a corner close up from the ball room and will make up one of my six new illustrations which will go on show inside the famous events venue later in the month.

This year marks the Assembly Rooms 230th birthday and the Georgian building in the heart of the New Town is looking splendid after her 2012 refurbishment.

I will be helping celebrate later this year when I run two Sketching Day tours within the venue which you will have the chance to join me on and create your own drawings. More about that to come in the next few days.

The Assembly Rooms website

Capture the stunning city of Stirling with my latest Sketching Day Tour

Stirling CastleCome with me this April to sketch Stirling’s imposing fortress and medievil old town in watercolour and charcoal.

For one day only on 29th April 2017 I will be running a day of sketching workshops with The Curious Thing, drawing on location in this central and vibrant Scottish city.

We will focus on pen and watercolour in the morning session which runs for 3 hours from 10am to 1pm and will head out sketching for the first two hours, followed by a relaxed sit down with a cuppa while we add watercolour to our creations.

In the afternoon (2pm-5pm) we will use charcoal to capture the city’s medieval buildings and stonework, giving an atmospheric twist to your work. Again we will head out for a couple of hours before taking a seat to add detail and discuss our creations,

No previous experience is required for this informal and relaxed workshop as I will be on hand throughout to direct and give guidance as you create your own personal sketches of your visit.

Tickets can now be booked for this one day only very limited event, follow the link below to reserve your place via The Curious Thing website. I look forward to seeing you there.

Book your ticket for the morning session (£24 per person)

Book your ticket for the afternoon session (£24 per person)

The Curious Thing website

Drawing the Collection at Surgeons Hall Museums’

surgeonshall_sep16_sketchers1On Monday I ran two sketching workshops at the wonderful and facinating Surgeons Hall Museums in Edinburgh.

As it was the September Bank Holiday, I was asked to host two sketching events looking at the exhibits on show inside The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, which was initially established as a medical teaching resource but now welcomes one and all to discover the mysteries and wonders of historical medical science.

I find looking at the specimens, ailments and medievil looking implements (that were used not that long ago) so interesting, and spot similarites to items found in hospitals today. Seeing and reading about the many ailments that at one time would of been fatal leave me with an feeling of gratefulness of being born in this age!

surgeonshall_sep16_sketchers2

Museums and galleries are a favourite of mine as I spent a lot of time there as a youngster, especially on rainy days 🙂 They are such an inspirational place to be in.

On the day we took pens and paper around the museum drawing diferent objects, sometimes as a group and sometimes on our own before heading to the Autonomy Lab to add watercolour and charcoal to our drawings.

Here are some of the very good results from the two workshops, thanks to all who came along and had a go.

surgeonshall_sep16_skulls

Drawings all made with watercoluor, fine liner pens and charcoal.

Surgeons Hall Museums’ website

WhereArtI : 11 July 2016 : Edinburgh

ES_WAI110716Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched?

If so click the link below to enter your answer. I will pick a random winner from all correct answers on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘WhereArtI Winners wall’. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.

Click HERE to enter your answer

Usually the answer will be within the Edinburgh boundaries, but on the first Monday of the month the competition is Scotland wide. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feed throughout the day for clues if needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details of Edinburgh, you never know where I will be sketching next time!

Enter via the link above or email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject line ‘WhereArtI 11th July 2016’.

Newhaven Harbour in glorious sunshine.

NewHaven_HarbourI’m lucky enough to live close to Newhaven Harbour and love listening to the tinkling boat masts and seagulls circling above.

I drive past the lighthouse (built 1869) often and yesterday did so with thankfully some time to sketch. I could sit for hours listening to the rocking boats in the small harbour, looking out through the narrow ‘gateway’ to Fife, I find it very relaxing. Add in come watercolurs and a blank canvas and I’m in heaven!

 

I painted this sketch with black ink and watercolour whilst sitting on the large stone steps between the harbour and road.

 

The original sketch is now sold but you can order a high quality mounted print from my online shop HERE.

 

newhaven2photo

My cat and I, sitting watching the telly the other night

Moch_on_my_knee The Sketcher cat, Mocha. Not one for hogging the limelight, or even looking at you when sketching or taking a photo.

Mocha is a beautiful tortoiseshell cat, fifteen years old and on the cold nights in Edinburgh she likes to curl up on my, or Mrs Sketcher’s knee.

 

I love to draw her fur, beautiful colours but also random line work, a change from the ordered straight lines from buildings and architecture.

 

As she was on Sunday evening as we both watched Shetland together. Very tense we thought it was too.

 

Sketch is in blanck fine liner with a watercolour wash. If you would like your pet portrait sketched prices start at £65. Email me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

 

 

Mocha 2011 sketch

Mocha 2013 sketch

 

Tranquillity and splendid coffee in Edinburgh’s West End

Brass&CopperBrass & Copper provides a calm and peaceful place in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End in which to enjoy a coffee and a catch up with friends.

Situated in the middle of William Street, Brass & Copper is my new favourite hang out, just a sugar cubes throw from the hustle and bustle of Shandwick Place it could not be more different. Seek it out for a velvety smooth flat white and relax for a moment before heading back into the city.

 

 

Today’s sketch was drawn in fine liner pen, with a watercolour wash painted in the rain which is why there are a few drips here and there. 

 

Brass & Copper facebook page