Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched today?
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’. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.
The prize for November is Afternoon Tea for two in the Mercure Hotel on Princes Street during Decemeber, overlooking the wonderful Christmas festivities in Edinburgh city centre.
Enjoy a perfect selection of culinery delights during your Christmas shopping this year at the ideally situated Mercure Hotel on Edinburgh’s Princes Street.
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 they are 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 7th November 2016’.
Once a cherished member of the festive family, centre point of the living room and decorated in twinkly baubles. Now piled on top of each other, leaning against rubbish bins in the gutter.
The life of a Christmas tree, in pencil. Sketched thankfully before the current rain and terrible weather started in Edinburgh.
Merry Christmas everyone, happy holidays and all the very best for 2016.
I hope you all are enjoying the time off and those working are looking forward to a well earned break in a week or two. I have worked in the service industry myself and know what its like to be working when it seems everyone else is putting their feet up!
It’s been a great year for Edinburgh Sketcher, with more merchandise selling in new outlets. A wider range of avenues to work in too, from sketch classes in historical grounds to inspiring the young to draw from their imagination. I have had a sgreat year and alot of thanks has to go to you for supporting me on line and in the purchases you have made.
So I wish you all well in the new year. I can’t wait to get started on 2016, I will be revamping the ES website and launching a brand new one to run along side, as well as running more competitions and capturing more of Edinburgh in my sketch book.
Today’s sketch is a close up of the Sketcher Christmas tree, in pen and ink with a watercolour finish.
It’s that time of year when it’s dark going to work and dark coming home, that is unless you work in the centre of Edinburgh where the city’s Christmas lights brighten up the sky.
I’m sure many of you pass by this sign a couple of times a day, it is above the Jenners end entrance to St Andrews Square, currently unrecognisable as it is in full Festive mode. Inside you will find fair ground rides shows and market stalls for all the family, not to mention an ice rink around the Melville monument.
Definitely make time to visit if you can, and let Edinburgh’s Christmas put you in the festive mood! Also… be sure to pop in to Mimi’s Cake Cabin for some delicious treats and warming coffee.
WhereArtI time and it’s close at the top of the Leaderboard, who will be WhereArtI champ 2015?
Can you tell me where I am?
There are points on offer for the first three correct answers. Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before the end of the day.
If you would like to sponsor the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.
Last night I attended the first showing of the Street of Light, as 60,000 bulbs lit up the famous cobbled high street in Edinburgh.
The huge (19m high) installation came to life as lights flashed in time to recordings of the Edinburgh Choral Union Choir. A series of illuminated arches cross over the Royal Mile and created a tunnel of bright light which thousands of wide eyed people slowly walked through.
I drew these sketches during the 20 minute show, the first from the entrance and the second from half way down. I loved being surrounded by the lights and festive music, and although busy it wasn’t too packed. I wouldn’t have any worries about taking the Sketcher Twins (aged 4) up to see the show, I’m sure they’d love it.
The Virgin Money Street of Light is supported by the Royal Mile Business Association and is part of Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations. The event will run daily until Christmas Eve, and is a free event although you should reserve a ticket at the link below to ensure entry in case it gets busy.
Get creative this year, and make some original Christmas decorations.
This afternoon I spent some time getting creative with my children, both aged four and three quarters. But whether you have kids in the house or not there is no need to spend money on expensive festive decorations, relax and spend an hour or too making something for the holiday season.
1. Draw your Christmas iconic image on to card and cut out.
2. Decorate. Use what ever you have around, this snowman features kitchen roll dipped in glue for snow.
Have fun and let me see your creations, I’ll share the best on here. Merry Christmas!!
Although not quite November I would like to share with you my pack of six illustrated Christmas cards of Edinburgh scenes.
Christmas is fast approaching so now is the time to order your cards to send. The pack of six designs have a recommended retail price of £9.50. Left blank inside for you to add your message, each A6 card comes complete with a white envelope.
The Christmas card pack is available to buy online from today for the price of £9.50 each, with no postage and packaging to pay. Simply visit my Etsy shop HERE to order.
Alternatively you can buy the cards in person at Cafe Musa on the Mound and I will continue to add more shop details as I get them.
More new year organising and tidying of the studio today, and finding forgotten sketches on scraps of paper in boxes….
Another wintry day in the capital and one best to spend in doors I think, so I’m going through a few boxes of sketch pads and scraps of paper with doodles and notes on. I found this pencil sketch of Princes Street during Christmas time.
I’m not sure when exactly I drew it but it must be at least two years ago as the Helter Skelter is in Princes Street Gardens and the big wheel is hanging out over Princes Street. For once there are no notes along side the drawing to date and give details, which itself is a sign that this isn’t a recent sketch. It is certainly pre trams though.
I thought you may like to take a look though, as we say goodbye to Edinburgh’s Christmas for another 11 months and look forward to the warm (fingers crossed) summer months ahead.
With commissions done and shelves stocked with ES goodies I can take it easy for a few days with the Sketcher family.
I love these lazy days of family games and festive films on the telly. Walks in the fresh air and cosy cuddles on the sofa, the view from which is this lovely Christmas tree the sketcher family decorated together many nights ago now.
It may be a little full and too colourful for some, but each trinket and bauble has a special meaning, many of them family made this year.
Have a great Christmas everyone, thank you for all your kind comments and support throughout 2014, a year when Edinburgh Sketcher went full time. Here is to a happy 2015 which will see new merchandise competitions and exhibitions for ES and also a lovely new website to showcase my sketches.
Below is the Christmas tree sketch before the watercolour wash.
Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched today?
The prize for November is Afternoon Tea for two in the Mercure Hotel on Princes Street during Decemeber, overlooking the wonderful Christmas festivities in Edinburgh city centre. 
What a difference a few days makes at Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone, happy holidays and all the very best for 2016.
WhereArtI time and it’s close at the top of the Leaderboard, who will be WhereArtI champ 2015?
Last night I attended the first showing of the Street of Light, as 60,000 bulbs lit up the famous cobbled high street in Edinburgh.
Get creative this year, and make some original Christmas decorations.
Although not quite November I would like to share with you my pack of six illustrated Christmas cards of Edinburgh scenes.
More new year organising and tidying of the studio today, and finding forgotten sketches on scraps of paper in boxes….
With commissions done and shelves stocked with ES goodies I can take it easy for a few days with the Sketcher family.