With the Twin’s birthday in early March, mine late February and then my wife Joanne’s tomorrow this is definitely birthday season for us. Being pretty creative we like to make our own cards and banners and this sketch is from early on Sunday morning when Zoe is making a last minute banner for Joanne’s birthday. I love to capture these everyday moments if I can, like a snap shot but a sketch holds so much more of a memory for me than a photo. I look at an old sketch of the kids and can remember the moment and the feeling as I drew it. Sketch your day and start a little book of drawings you can keep in the living room ready to go.
On Thursday I took my 8 year old daughter Zoe to the Festival Theatre, to see Scottish Opera’s The Magic Flute.
I received an invite from Scottish Opera to capture the show with my sketches and thought my keen ballet and theatre fan Zoe would love to come too.
It was our first time to the Opera, as I said to the friendly couple behind us when we took our seats which overlooked the orchestra who were busy getting ready.
The couple told this was a good one to start with as it was in English so easier to follow. The buzz of excitement was all around us and as the lights dimmed the audience hushed.
I knew Zoe had been to the theatre before, to see the Nutcracker by the Scottish Ballet but I also knew it was the dance she was interested in. I was a little unsure about the length of the opera, being around 3 hours in total including a 20 minute interval break.
I needn’t of worried though, from the moment the very funny Papageno (played by Richard Burkhard) appeared on stage with a burst of flames and wearing a colourful outfit Zoe was mesmerised.
Set in a spectacular world inspired by the Victorian futurism of HG Wells and Jules Verne, this production includes plenty of comedy, dialogue and story so that those new to opera can not only follow along but really enjoy the spectacle.
Julia Sitkovetsky, (sketched above) playing the Queen of the Night sang beautifully and had the theatre spellbound during her time on stage. Zoe and I have been (very badly in my case) trying to copy the famous tune. You can see a clip of the show via the Scottish Opera website link below.
The day after Zoe and I drew these sketches from the night, it was a great way to talk about the evening and remember certain highlights. I liked the way The Three Boys floated down to guide the way when needed and Zoe laughed about The Three Ladies that wanted to eat the handsome prince!!
Prices start at £20 per ticket but at the moment if you are under 26 years of age you can get tickets for the opera for just £10 via the Scottish Opera website HERE.
Afternoon all. I was just sorting some images to use in my upcoming Edinburgh Royal Infirmary exhibition (more of which to come next week) and thought I’d upload this sketch I made of my daughter Zoe, over six months ago.
I love the simplicity of the sketch, a few lines that capture her peaceful sleeping so well. And those long eye lashes!
Evening all, here is a quick sketch from tonight’s dinner time. The twins had spaghetti and this pen drawing was scribbled whilst dodging tomato covered hands and flying clumps of pasta!
Today’s EdinburghSketcher motto: ‘Sketch whenever you can, with what ever you can and what or whoever you can.’
I grabbed five minutes today while the twins were munching down their breakfast to sketch them. Nearby wax crayons and the back of an envelope were my materials of choice.
And for breakfast? They had sliced bananas and rice crispies – yummy!
Evening all. I had a little time on my hands last night so sketched this pencil drawing of my wee girl, Zoe.
It’s to go with this one I did of James last week: I think they’ll look nice framed together, what do you think?
Breakfast time at the Sketcher household and today it’s mashed banana’s on toast for James and Zoe. A favourite with the twins and it wasn’t long before it was all eaten up!
What a lovely morning it is in Granton today, enjoy your weekend everyone, and your breakfast!
A very quick doodle (on the back of an envelope) from tonights dinner. When you are feeding two 11 month old babies in their high-chairs, there isn’t much time to sketch 🙂
They had turkey meat balls with red pepper sauce if you are wondering, yum!!
The end of a busy weekend, the twins are just watching Wibaloo?? or something on the CBB channel and drinking their milk. A quick sketch is all I’ve had time for this weekend.
Soon they’ll be sleeping in bed, and the house will be quiet (tempting fate here aren’t I?) then Mum and Dad can relax!
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