Tag Archives: art

‘Current Location’, on at SummerHall until August 30th

CurrentLocation_playThis morning I was at Summerhall to see ‘Current Location’ a play by Toshiki Okada, adapted by Fellswoop Theatre.

Telling a story of one villages perhaps impending doom and how the people living within a small community deal with the loss of control and uncertainty in the air. Gripping from the offset the unknowing of who to believe under constant rumours and counter rumours rings true to real life in 2015 and pulls the audience in as if they were involved.

 

The play is shown in Summerhall’s large and light Dissection Room, with audience members on both sides of the room looking at each other as the actors play in between. This again pulls you in as if you are included in the discussions and decisions made. A rollercoaster of emotions ensues which should not be missed, see the links below to book your place at Current Location.

 

The sketch above I made immediately after I left the show, imagining the audience looking into the village and the inhabitants lives, worries and thoughts.

 

Summerhall website

Fellswoop Theatre

Toshiki Okada

 

My new Friday afternoon Art Class

ZoeJames_Nature_650My new Friday afternoon Art Class begins on August 28th and runs for six weeks, in partnership with Honey Pot Ceramics Arts and Crafts Studio.

 

I’m so excited to be starting a regular class for kids after school on a Friday. Based at the Edinburgh International Climbing Centre, Honey Pot run a number of creative classes and together we will combine to run a creative and artistic weekly class through to Friday 2nd October.

 

Alternating the weeks between sketching with me and creating clay pieces with Honey Pots, by the end of the 6 classes your child will have learnt new sketching and clay making skills and have a number of sketches and pottery pieces to take home. Plus a framed piece from my classes encompassing all we have learnt to create a portrait.

 

Sessions run from 3.30pm – 5pm and will run in term-time. Each session costs £12 per child, or a block of six sessions is £60. Classes are suitable for children aged 5 and over.

 

For more information and to book one of our limited places on the course call Honey Pot Ceramics on 0131 333 6348 or visit their facebook page below.

 

Honey Pot Ceramics Arts and Crafts Studio on facebook.

 

 

 

The Sketcher Twins in pen and ink

SkecherTwins_Aug2015Here is a portrait of the Sketcher Twins during the week they began their final year in nursery.

They are are growing up quickly and were this week raring to go and excited to see all their friends at nursery.

 

I find drawing portraits harder than buildings, the more detail I add the older the pair seem to look. In fact they are only four and a half although here they look older. I think I’m getting better though, as with most things, practice makes perfect.

 

 

Drawing inspiration from the Harmonium Project and the Edinburgh International Festival

I am looking for your inspirational photos of the Harmonium Project for a new original work of art.

Unfortunately I was unable to witness the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival and the spectacular Hamonium Project at the Usher Hall last night in person. However I was so blown away by the photos on social media that I would love to create some art work from the event, and I would like you to be involved.

 

I am looking for your photos plus a quote about how you found the event. Send me your digital photo and a line of text, for example “It was incredible! One of the most spectacular things I’ve ever seen!” to contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject “Harmonium Project”.

 

In exchange for providing the inspiration for my art work I will send each person included in the piece a signed, numbered copy.

 

UsherHall_colourject, usher hall, edinburgh international festival

 

Drawings from the Lauriston Castle Garden Party

LauristonGardenParty_LawnLast weekend I was invited to the Community Garden Party with the Lord Provost at Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh.

The Lord Provost was there to award Edinburgh’s many volunteers, those recognised for their crucial contribution to local life. He said: “I want this celebration to recognise and reward those who make a positive contribution to our great city – particularly the unsung heroes who give up their time tirelessly for others and for the good of their local community.”

 

Afternoon tea was served in front of the historic castle, on the croquet lawn which was where I drew the illustration above. In the foreground you can see the very talented Davidson’s Mains and District Pipe Band, who played while guests arrived and throughout the evening.

 

LauristonGardenParty_Marquee

 

There was also a marquee with various singing and dancing groups entertaining the guests. Above is a sketch with the Sco Vibe fusion orchestra on the stage. Part of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sco Vibe is open to young musicians aged 11-18 from any musical background, including classical, folk, rock and pop.

 

Although a bit windy, the sun stayed out and it was an honour to be meet many of Edinburgh’s contributors, and see their everyday efforts recognised. Below are a few more sketches from the afternoon, click on each one to enlarge.

 

LauristonGardenParty_Arriving LauristonGardenParty_PipeBand LauristonGardenParty_Constables

 

 

My next Lauriston Castle sketch class

 

Scottish Chamber Orchestra website

 


Davidson’s Mains and District Pipe Band website

 

 

 

New pens for a familiar sight of Edinburgh Castle from Inverleith Park

Castle from InverleithParkWhat better view to test out some new Chameleon blending pens than that from Inverleith Park across Edinburgh.

Recently I pedalled along to Inverlieth Park in the north of Edinburgh to try out some new colour pens. I had been asked to create a wee workshop or step by step guide to using the new blending pens which use alcohol based ink and a mixing chamber of toner to blend the markers colour as you draw.

 

They take a bit of getting used to but can achieve amazing results. Basically you start drawing with an almost a white shade of your chosen hue and then over a few seconds the pen turns darker and a more true colour is achieved. See the link below at Cut Out + Keep for my full tutorial and step by step guide to using the pens.

 

Cut Out + Keep website

Chameleon Pens website

Calton Hill, from the Canongate Kirk Yard

CanongateKirkyardGraveyards can be beautiful places to draw in, the contrast between precise stone sculpture and overgrown, wild, natural habitation has always been a favourite for art students.

I am often to be found sketching in church yards around Edinburgh and over the years Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile has become a favourite of mine. When I first started drawing for a living I sketched the kirk quite often for wedding stationary and invites for clients due to be married at the 17th-century church.

 

Current building work being carried out behind the Kirk may well change this view which I sketched last summer. I hope not too much as the view over to Calton Hill and the Old Royal High School is delightful.

 

Below is a sketch of the front of the Canongate Kirk, both drawn in black ink with a watercolour wash.

 

CanongateKirk_gate

 

Canongate Kirk website

 

A great view of a busy Nicolson Street

NicolsonStreet_roadworksThe sun was shining and I was sketching in the city. This is my view from The City Restaurant, on Nicolson Street.

With great honest food (fish, chips and peas a speciality) and super views from their two story location right next to the Festival Theatre and opposite the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, the busy restaurant is a new favourite of mine.

 

I sketched the above whilst eating my lunch from the first floor window seat, watching the traffic weave in and out of the many road works below. I hear from the very friendly staff that they are due to close next week for a major refurbishment. I hope all goes well and look forward to welcoming them back soon.

 

The City Restaurant website

 

Fringe Schools Poster Exhibition Launch & Prize-giving Event

MuseumofChildhood_exteriorThe Schools Poster Competition winner is announced today at the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile.

I will be there as guest artist to say a few words and help congratulate the winner, who as well as having their design seen across the city throughout the summer, will also receive a cash prize of £300, plus £750 for their schools art department. I can’t wait to see the designs, it is always a favourite part of my fringe, children’s art can be so pure and free. Very inspirational to a sketcher!

 

The competition is open to all school children, aged 5-16, across Scotland, with each child getting the same brief: to create a poster design reflecting their interpretation of the Fringe. The winning design becomes the official poster for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and is also used on a range of merchandise such as mugs, bags and t-shirts.

 

“I feel very honoured to be invited. Children’s art can be so pure and free”

 

The top three prize-winners, as well as all of the 14 Regional Winners and over 60 shortlisted entries, will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Museum of Childhood on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile throughout the summer and for the duration of the Festival Fringe, so get along to see the amazing designs from the very talented Scottish school children.

 

Below is one of my favourite designs from past winners, by Jennifer Worrall. Click on the EdFringe website link below to see more past winners from the competition, which has been running since 1980.

 

schoolsposter2003

 

Edfringe website

Museum of Childhood website

 

Street sketching with Zoo Arts Extra in North Edinburgh and a visit to ‘Brick Beach’ in Granton

ZooArts_BeachWalkRecently I took part in a beach walk with children and young adults from the North Edinburgh Arts group, ‘Zoo Arts Extra’.

beach3

We visited Granton’s ‘brick’ beach, so called because of all the corroded red bricks found along the coast line. Before we set off we watched some slides of environmental artists such as Andy Goldsworthy and Tony Plant to inspire us.

beach1

On the way we passed through Granton’s new housing development, past the Gas Works and the board walk water area where 2 swans have made a nest.

beach4

Once on the beach we set up camp for the day, arranging a circle of bricks and quickly getting a small fire going. Below are some of the photos from the day, as we made various works of art: balancing stones, forts, spirals and circles using drift wood and shells.

beach2

We had a great time and the children really got into and expe#ressed themselves with their creations. The rock climbing and toasted marshmallows were also a big hit!!

beach5

Click HERE to see a stop motion video on the Zoo Arts Extra Facebook page. I made the animation with Declan, Joshua and Dylan with the above spiral of bricks on the beach, and my camera phone.

 

Take a look at the links below for more photos and information about the day.

Zoo Arts Exra Facebook page

North Edinburgh Arts website