Tag Archives: coffee

Morningside sunshine on this coffee shop

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is for Blackwood Coffee, at 235 Morningside Road. A number of people have suggested this one for their fabulous coffee and yummy scones.

This week many cafes have welcomed back people indoors but during the lockdown Blackwood Coffee continued to serve from their doorway to locals on their daily walks.

These drawings in pencil and watercolour are to say thank you for keeping us all going during the pandemic 😊👍 Often a walk for me needs a destination, and a good cup of coffee to enjoy on the return leg will do nicely.

So drop in if you are passing, and give a little back to the small businesses that are keeping us going. Also let me know by commenting below if you have a local trader who is keeping your spirits up during the pandemic.

Blackwood Coffee, facebook page

Schools out for … spring

With the Coronovirus outbreak beginning to take effect on daily life here in Edinburgh the council has taken the decision to close schools.

Today is Friday and our two are enjoying their final morning at school and wishing all their friends well as they will not see them for some time.

From next week the kids will be home and my wife Joanne and I will be helping them through their school work from home. It will be an interesting and busy time at home, and I may regret spending my final morning alone sketching my coffee!

Double strength lattes

latte on wood sketch

I am trying to give up sweet treats during the day but seem to of replaced them with extra shot lattes!

This delicious coffee was made for me at Summerhall, the fantastic creative hub in the South of the city. Home to theatre, concerts, talks, workshops & more, there’s always something on and I love just soaking up the atmosphere there.

It’s like being back at art college.

I was there to pick up some prints from the in house printer, GicleeUK and also meet Mrs Sketcher for a bite to eat in the cafe.

No sweet treats though, just plenty of caffine!

Summerhall website

Coffee before meeting

This morning I discovered the Tasty Buns Bakery on Bread Street, and promised myself I would return for cake!

The weather outside was freezing cold and this welcoming wee cafe was perfect – the silky smooth latte even better.

I felt the blood returning to my fingers as I sketched this doddle from my chair.

The meeting was a success, and I know have work to do in doors through the oncoming snow season!

The Tasty Buns twitter feed

Christmas stars, strong coffee and perfect pastries, at Victor Hugo

VictorHugos pencil doodleThis Edinburgh deli has been a strong favourite of Mrs Sketcher and I for a long time, ever since we discovered it as a haven of normality when our baby was staying at the Sick Kids hospital.

Almost six years later and we still love sitting in the window looking out over the Meadows as we sip cappuccinos and let our worries fade into daydreams.

Sketcher Twin 1 had an appointment at Rillbank this afternoon and so found ourselves there once again but this time looking through sparkly Christmas stars in the window, and doodling with Sketcher Twin 2. I will miss this place when the hospital moves out to Little France next year, and the views over the ever changing Meadows Park.

Today’s drawing doodled in pencil

Victor Hugos Delicatessen twitter page.

A trip to town, sketchbook in hand

Costa George Street interior copy Yesterday I had a couple of meetings in town and drew from the bus ride into Edinburgh and a lunch break in a beautiful George Street building.

Following on from my previous post about spontaneous sketching I thought draw from my journey on the bus, and with what I had to hand: a pencil and small note book. Sketching on the bus is always a challenge, the constantly changing view, people getting off and on etc.

OnTheBus pencil sketch

But on this occasion thanks to the construction site on Leith Street the number 14 bus was redirected along London Road, which gave me extra time to finish my scribble, below.

Between my first and second meetings I had lunch in Costa on George Street which is well worth a visit to see the wonderful ceiling dome at the back of the store. I believe this was converted from offices but if you know more about the history of this building then do let me know.

The top drawing was sketched in black fineliner and a little watercolour as I sipped my hot chocolate.

I love my morning coffee machine

Coffee MachineThis morning is International Coffee Day apparently, but in my house most days start with a visit to this machine.

You will often see me supping coffee in various wee outlets around the city, indeed it is where I honed my artistic skills and found my style so I have a lot to thank coffee shop outlets for. But once you have one of these machines in your home it is hard to appreciate coffee as much any where else.
 
We got this Nespresso machine when some good friends moved away and fortunately (for us) couldn’t take it with them. Also I am loving the reflections in my glass as it fills with espresso 🙂

Enjoy your cuppa today 🙂

Drawing done in black ink with a little watercolour as the second pod was flowing!

Corstorphine in Edinburgh is the latest area to welcome Mimi’s Bakehouse

ES_Mimis_CorstorphineColourAfter successful launches in firstly The Shore, Leith and more recently the High Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Mimi’s Bakehouse has today opened the doors on their Corstorphine branch.

I visited earlier this week to sketch the exterior of their St John’s Road store, so you will recognise it as you search for your coffee and cake fix this afternoon.

 

Do pop in and try their now famous home baking and wish them well on what I’m sure will be another hugely popular branch of their family run business.

 

Sketch in fine liner pen with a watercolour wash.

 

Mimi’s Bakehouse website.

Tranquillity and splendid coffee in Edinburgh’s West End

Brass&CopperBrass & Copper provides a calm and peaceful place in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End in which to enjoy a coffee and a catch up with friends.

Situated in the middle of William Street, Brass & Copper is my new favourite hang out, just a sugar cubes throw from the hustle and bustle of Shandwick Place it could not be more different. Seek it out for a velvety smooth flat white and relax for a moment before heading back into the city.

 

 

Today’s sketch was drawn in fine liner pen, with a watercolour wash painted in the rain which is why there are a few drips here and there. 

 

Brass & Copper facebook page

Coffee and sketching in Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Grounds CoffeeThis week I enjoyed a bit of drawing and a deliciously smooth flat white in Grounds of Stockbridge, Edinburgh’s newest coffee shop.

 

Situated on Deanhaugh Street by the Water of Leith the front window gives a delightful view of Stockbridge and is a great place to watch the busy folk of Edinburgh going about their business.

 

I’m glad to say they stock a great selection of cakes and sandwiches, with gluten free options and allergy-friendly foods from Grams of Edinburgh.

 

Pop in soon for a cuppa, and have a look at the great local art they have on their walls. Also you can now buy Edinburgh Sketcher Christmas cards there too!