Category Archives: Support A Business Sketch

Support A Business Sketch

Visit the King’s Wark for a night in

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My latest #supportabusinesssketch is for The King’s Wark. These drawings in pencil and watercolour are to say thank you for keeping us all going during the pandemic 😊👍

The Sketcher family recently ordered a seafood platter from this 15th Century Leith pub and restaurant to enjoy at home. We dressed up as if going out and had a lovely night in sharing our wonderful meal. I hope we can all visit in person soon.

Visit the King’s Walk website and ask about their famous takeaway platters. We thoroughly recommend them!!

Support A Business Sketch

Festive Cheer on the Streets

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A new #supportabusinesssketch for the new year and this beautiful shiny shop front is the Mark David Salon in Henderson Row.

During the festive break the Sketcher family when out on our daily walk would pass by Henderson Row frequently on a circle rout through Stockbridge and Inverleith Park.

This shop front (at 83 Henderson Row) always caught our eyes, with beautiful baubles and flowers, and a nutcracker drummer model, at first I thought it was a florist there were som many flowers and plants outside.

But this is home to the Mark David Salon and they provide a huge range of treatments and pampering, relaxation and escapism for both men and women, something which is very well needed for everyone just now!

Double check on their website for up to date details about the latest restrictions due to the pandemic, and when they can take appointments again.

https://www.markdavidsalon.com/

I am using my #supportabusinesssketch drawings to give a little boost to the independent businesses which make Edinburgh so special, especially during the current pandemic and lock down restrictions.
Also I am drawing each one in a new style of pencil and watercolour, which makes them quite distinctive and different to my usual ink drawings. See more of the support a business sketches by clicking HERE.

Support A Business Sketch

huge thanks to the busy post office workers

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This is Boswall Drive Post Office, my local daily destination as I send out commissions and Etsy orders for Christmas.

My latest #SupportABusinessSketch is for not just my local post office but for all postal workers who are all so busy just now.

Like many post offices Boswall Drive is a family run business providing groceries and all sorts of essentials but at this time of year the post office counter takes over.

Thanks for all the help you are giving local small businesses and everyone sending messages of love to those they cannot be with in person at this time of year.

This sketch and all my #supportabusinesssketch ‘s are drawn only in pencil and watercolour for a slightly blurred effect. I am using these sketches to practice this technique.

https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you/post-office/boswall-drive-eh5-2be

Support A Business Sketch

Restored Stockbridge cafe

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This beautiful cafe front is worth a visit to see the stunning restoration job whilst enjoying a delicious flat white 🙂

My latest #SupportABusinessSketch is for Cowan & Sons on Raeburn Place, Stockbridge. A beautiful shop front that always catches my eye, especially at this time of year when the lights are on and sun is going down.

Thanks to help from Edinburgh World Heritage the Cafe exterior has been restored to its former glory and is well worth a closer look, also their breakfasts are amazing, perfect for a mid walk, lazy days brunch!

Pop in and support a local business who are staying open to keep us going!

This is their Instagram page so give them a follow 🙂

Support A Business Sketch

great fish and chips

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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.

Support A Business Sketch

Sketching a little support

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This is the Art & Craft Collective in Causewayside, just past the Meadows.

I have been part of the collective for over a year now and I love to make specific artwork for this shop/gallery. Often putting originals of the Meadows on show here as well as prints and other merchandise.

Recently I have noticed how many of my retailers, which are all local independant bsuinesses, are having a hard time since the lock down has been lifted and with it the provision of grants and financial help.

As there are hardly any tourists this year and locals are staying home as much as possible the high street shops are suffering with more and more are having to close.

I think it is vital we support these businesses, restaurants, pubs and hotels which are a huge part of Edinburgh’s appeal during normal circumstances and something we need to support and make sure don’t disappear.

Please do shop local as much as possible and follow my #supportabusinesssketch posts online.

Art & Craft Collective
93 Causewayside, Edinburgh
Website.

Support A Business Sketch

My first online video workshop with is now available

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Cassandra, aka ‘Bookbinding with Cass’, and I usually teach together at the fabulous Arienas Collective but this is our first online offering and I am so excited to share this with you.

We have loads of online tutorials which will equip you with the skills to create a set of handmade sketchbooks and inspire you to start using them with a mix of fine liner and watercolour straight away!

During lockdown Cass and I have come to appreciate the everyday, particularly our beloved house plants and the nature on our doorstep. This series of pre-recorded video tutorials will encourage you to work with what’s around you and get creative in your own space, in your own time.

Cass will guide you on how to make a handy, refillable book case, ideal for sketching on the go, with the added benefit of being multi-use – the inserts are interchangeable so you can re-jig the inside depending on what you want to sketch on that day. There’ll also be chance to make a cut and fold concertina book and a series of stitched sketchbooks made up of different types of paper to add colour and texture to your sketching. Cass will also share a nifty technique for stitching single signature sketchbooks together once they have been filled – a great way to collate your work and keep it in one place!

I will join in throughout the bookmaking to share tips and ideas for adding a personal touch to your books and watercolour washes to your paper – a great way to take a way that blank page fear in preparation for sketching.

Once your books are complete I will then take you through a number of drawing exercises that will focus mainly on pot plants you have in and around your house, and the exterior of your home. This will involve working with an ink pen and watercolour set, exploring tone, light and shading to discover your own style and create sketches full of character.

Kits and links to our selection of online tutorials will be sent out on 5th October. All participants are invited to join a Zoom sharing event on Monday 26th October, 6-7.30pm, where you can ask questions, share your work and get hints and tips for your bookbinding & sketching practice.

Workshop costs £80 – £130 depending on whether you would like an accompanying materials/tool kit.

For more information and to book your place see this event listing on the Arienas Collective website.