Tag Archives: sketching

Daily Sketch

Sketching Workshops for Summer 2018

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WorkshopPage LauristonCastleAs the weather improves in Edinburgh join me sketching around the city.

First off I have a welcome return to Lauriston Castle (above), a stunning 400 year old castle which overlooks the Firth of Forth from a 30 acre estate of beautiful gardens and woodlands. The perfect peaceful place to practice your sketching, I have led successful workshops here for a number of years and the venue has a special place in my heart. My 2018 workshops at Lauriston are on June 13th, August 4th and 17th.

WorkshopPage QueensGallery

New for 2018 are two dates at The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse. I will be running afternoon workshops capturing the Canongate area and details around the Palace exterior, influenced by their current Canaletto exhibition. This is an exclusive chance to sketch with me at Holyrood and I expect tickets to sell fast. Workshops will be on 15th June and 3rd August.

WorkshopPage CityArtCentre

Following on from last months debut Sketching Tour at the City Art Centre I will be returning to this fantastic setting for another sketching workshop on 20th July. This is a great opportunity to draw with me as we tour and draw our way along Market Street and the Mound area before returning to the 5th floor of CAC for refreshments and to colour our drawings.

WorkshopPage Arienas

And don’t forget my wonderful Sketching Days at Arienas Collective in the heart of the New Town. These small relaxed workshop days run from a beautiful home close to Queens Street from where we tour the cobbled streets of Georgian New Town and the Portrait Gallery,  drawing all sorts from street furniture to Robert Burns statues! Lunch is included and plenty of delightful nibbles and drinks thanks to the very hospitable Arienas Collective. The next full day workshop is on Friday 22nd June

You can book all these tours on my Workshop page HERE, and I look forward to seeing you at a workshop through the summer.

Exciting news ahead for August.: I am currently planning a return to sketching in the West End with Paper Tiger, the must visit shop for beautiful and creative giftcards, stationary and gifts. Details to come soon.

 

 

 

Daily Sketch

Sketching in the Engine Shed

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The Engine ShedOn Saturday I ran a sketching Day workshop at The Engine Shed in Stirling, somewhere I have wanted to visit all year.

Opened earlier this year the Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, run by Historic Environment Scotland. It serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the general public.

The original sandstone building is approx 100 years old and was part of a military complex on the banks of the river forth. Inside is a large open space with large steel trusses spanning the width of the building and a number of exhibits showcasing the traditional building materials, methods and skills in Scotland.

Central in the room is a huge map of Scotland which when you hover an ipad above it shows a huge amount of information, this use of gadgetry is very addictive, I loved it!

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During the morning I spent time sketching with visitors and moving around the various exhibits, taking time to concentrate on the details. When focusing in on the details I notice so much more, and take in a great deal more. We all learnt lots about thatch!

The Engine Shed thatch

 

The Engine Shed website

Historic Environment Scotland website

The Engine Shed interior

Competition

WhereArtI : 15th May : Edinburgh

ES_WAI150517Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched?

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

The prize for May is one of my Edinburgh cotton bags, either the blue Leith print or the purple Victoria Street version. 

Winner will receive one of only six prints chosen by Edinburgh Sketcher.

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 feeds for clues if they are needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details in the everyday, 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 15th May 2017’.

Edinburgh Sketcher online store.

Daily Sketch

A Sketching Day inside one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful locations.

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ARsketching4The Assembly Rooms Edinburgh recently opened its doors for sketchers.

This Georgian venue, which lies at the heart of the New Town celebrates its 230th year in 2017 and to mark this, and the 25oth year of the New Town itself there are a number of one off events taking place.

One of which was my Sketching Day Tour when a number of keen sketchers were invited to tour the glorious interiors of the Assembly Rooms and make some beautiful watercolour sketches.

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We had a great time capturing both details and tricky perspectives in pen before adding watercolour washes with a cuppa and a chat.

I really didn’t know what to expect , my favourite part was to find myself increasing in confidence during the course

This was a great way to kick of my season of Sketcher Days in and around Edinburgh, which will include the Old Town, the West End and Lauriston Castle. If you would like to book a place at my next Sketcher Day click on the link below.

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It was perfect! – I believe you have influenced my life for the future.

Sketcher Days in 2017

More about the Assembly Rooms events here. 

Daily Sketch

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

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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

Daily Sketch

Drawing the Collection at Surgeons Hall Museums’

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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!

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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.

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

Surgeons Hall Museums’ website

Daily Sketch

Sketching the West End tours this August

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ES_WEsketching1My sketching tours in Edinburgh’s beautiful West End are running twice weekly throughout August 2016.

I am a week into my sketching tours and they are going great, despite last weeks showery weather my fellow sketchers created some great work while walking around the city’s thriving shopping and business district.

Surrounded by stunning Georgian architecture and colourful shops the West End has always been a must see area for visitors to Edinburgh, and a favourite place for me to draw.

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Join me on one of my sketch tours and you will capture in detail the historical architecture, unique heritage features and charming landscape as you explore Edinburgh’s West End with a sketch book in hand, using ink and watercolour to bring your visit to life.

Under my watchful and encouraging eye you will quickly pick up sketching skills while increasing confidence in your own artistic ability as we wynd our way through cobbled streets, Georgian crescents and stylish shop fronts.

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Once you’ve filled your pages with beautiful West End images, we’ll end our tour at Strumpets on William Street where you’ll add watercolour to your sketches. Strumpets homemade cakes are a popular indulgence in the West End and they have kindly offered all tour sketchers a 10% discount on the day!

All abilities are welcome and encouraged so follow the links below to book your place. I look forward to sketching with you soon!

 

Sketching the West End – Throughout August 2016
‘Draw your way through Edinburgh’s West End’
Explore Edinburgh’s West End with a sketch book in hand, using ink and watercolour to bring your visit to life, under the guidance of Edinburgh Sketcher, Mark Kirkham.
3 hours. 1 -4pm, £28 adult, £16 child (5-15 yrs)

Wednesday 17th August  Click for more information and to book

Friday 19th August  Click for more information and to book  SOLD OUT

Wednesday 24th August  Click for more information and to book

Friday 26th August  Click for more information and to book

Friday 31st August  Click for more information and to book

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Edinburgh’s West End website

Daily Sketch

Digital Sketcher

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tabletsketch2Yesterday I had a go at sketching on my digital tablet.

It was fun and I think it could be a useful string to the bow, but nothing I’ve tried so far comes close to the colours and creativity I find with real watercolour paint.

I’ve only scratched the surface really, my tablet is a basic model and I was using an app called Artflow on android. Having looked around online I can see there are many apps to try, and some great sounding brushes for applications such as Photoshop which would add more realism.

Juggling my water and various brushes can be perilous

I thought I’d have a look at digital sketching as I am doing more and more sketching at live events such as weddings, conferences and exhibitions. Although watercolour and ink are my preferred mediums switching between the two whilst standing in a confined space can be a little tricky. Juggling my water and various brushes can be perilous in a stately home or grand cathedral!

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So I can see the appeal of one piece solution, but as I said earlier so far I haven’t seen anything that can give the feel and originality of watercolours. It’s something I could enjoy spend a lot of time, and money on in the future though, I’ll let you know how I get on.

 

Both sketches were made on an Alcatel One Touch Pixi 7in tablet, using ArtFlow app on android. 

Daily Sketch

Celtic creativity this Friday night at the National Museum of Scotland

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FramedDesignTomorrow an evening of Celtic entertainment takes over the National Museum of Scotland.

With live music, Celtic inspired DJ sets, silent discos and even a silent ceilidh the evening should be a huge success. There will be food and drink served in the main hall and creative activities including facepainting and temporary tattoos on ffer around the museum.

I will be there with a couple of tables offering Celtic creativity in the form of either designing your own Celtic pictures to colour in, or try sketching some of the exhibits from the Celts exhibition, which runs until the 25th September.

Above is my coloured in Celtic design, and below part of the process. Find me on Friday night to make your own Celtic symbol design.

Buy your ticket to Museum Lates: Celts at the NMS website. celtictrace

 

 

 

 

Daily Sketch

Sketching the secrets of the Royal Mile

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MercatTour110416_3LocationsOn the 23rd April I will be pairing up with Mercat Tours to provide a Sketching and Storytelling Tour of the Royal Mile.

In preparation for this dream collaboration I tagged along on the Secrets Of The Royal Mile tour this week, and made a few sketches along the way. The above sketch includes three locations: The Mercat Cross (top), Borthwick’s Close and Tweeddale Court.

The Royal Mile is where I began Edinburgh Sketcher, inspired by the tall narrow buildings, winding cobbled closes and rough knobbly walls that people have brushed along for hundreds of years.

I am thrilled to be combining Edinburgh’s history and my passion for drawing, so come sketching with me and Hannah, our Mercat guide – you will find out some fascinating and very funny Scottish history, and learn some speed sketching skills to enable you to to capture your visit as a piece of art.

All abilities are welcome, sketching is all about enjoying your surroundings, relaxing into the moment and noticing the beauty that is all around us. Sketching by the Mile from Mercat Tours will take place on Saturday 23 April at 10am. The tour has a very limited group size so booking in advance at the link below is recommended to avoid disappointment.

These sketches are all made with fine liner black pens and watercolour, which we will be using on the tour. 

 

Sketching by the Mile on Mercat Tours website
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