Tag Archives: edinburgh

Daily Sketch

Christmas views from the Mercure Hotel on Princes Street

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Mercure_BigWheelAt a meeting with the Mercure hotels on Princes Street this week I noticed just how close the hotel is to the Big Wheel.

I am currently in discussions with the Mercure Hotel in Princes Street about supplying my EdinburghSketcher cushions for their newly refurbished rooms, more of which I will tell you about soon. But while there I noticed what a great view they have of not only Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street but also the Christmas festival and the huge Big Wheel.

 

My sketch is from their dinning room where they take Christmas lunch and dinner bookings, I will definitely be back for a little people watching!!  It’s a quick sketch in black ink with a rough watercolour wash.

 

Mercure Hotel website

 

Daily Sketch

Royal view from the office

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RoyalMile_CNeroYesterday I was in town posting Christmas cards and dropping off commissions so grabbed a bite to eat in Caffe Nero on the Royal Mile.

 

A perfect spot to watch the Christmas shoppers and Edinburgh visitors walking up and down the High Street, this was my view from window seat whilst I ate my gluten free ham sandwich and brownie – yum 🙂

 

Caffe Nero website

Daily Sketch

Fascinating facts and fantastic food on board the Royal Yacht Britannia

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Britannia_montageHome to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years the Royal Yacht Britannia has sailed over 1 million miles around the world.

 

Now permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith, the five-star attraction is one of Edinburgh’s must see destinations for visitors to the city, however for the Sketcher family it was our first time on board. It was fascinating to see how the Royal family traveled and how homely the boat was, more like a stately home than a boat. The twins (seated under the ship’s bell in the sketch) loved looking around the many decks, cabins and hiding places, sitting in the Captains chair and trying on the uniforms.

 

A nice touch was that as the adults had listening devices telling us about the history of each room the children had their own version with watered down history and ‘Can you find the…’ type quizzes to keep them amused. Look out for the wooden monkey too…

 

Food on board didn’t disappoint either, it isn’t the cheapest place to eat in Leith but the Royal Deck Tea Room is a fine dining experience, with great views over the harbour. The servings are ample and very well cooked.

 

I recommend a trip on board both for those interested in the ships unique history and families after a educational day out, its a fascinating floating museum.

The Royal Yacht Britannia website

 

Daily Sketch

This years first Christmas Market

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EP_XmasMarketOn Saturday last I was at the Edinburgh Printmakers Christmas Market.

My first market of the festive period and a huge success. Great to meet new customers and fellow makers too. Bellow is a sketch from behind my stall, showing the extremely talented Sarah from One Of Three Designs who makes beautiful brooches, bags and patchwork cushions. Click the link below to see her work.

 

The scribbled character at the back is none other that Jenny Douglas, Edinburgh designer and printmaker. See the link below to look through her delightful designs, I particularly love the colourful coasters.

 

An not in the sketch  but to my right was the gifted Grace Moran, who I wholeheartedly recommend if you want a pet portrait, her acrylic likenesses are stunning, with so much character.

 

A great room to be in 🙂

 

One of Three Designs Etsy shop

A Pair of Blue Eyes website

Grace Moran website

 

Competition

The WhereArtI Quiz, 23th November

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WAI_241114Can you name this city centre location, sketched in black ink with a watercolour wash…

There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers, and keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

 

Remember WhereArtI runs every Monday in the Edinburgh Evening News with a fantastic prize each week. You could win a bottle of Edinburgh Gin plus a tour of their city centre distillery. Buy a copy today to find out more.

Daily Sketch

Edinburgh’s Christmas big launch

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StarGazer_ScottMonument

Final preparations were being made to Edinburgh’s Christmas festivities when I passed by earlier today.

The Christmas markets, rides and other festive attractions open at 5pm tonight across the city centre and crowds were being to gather on Princes Street as I doodled.

 

The sketch shows the star gazer ride, this year situated right next to the Scott Monument and overlooking the ice rink below. Will you be brave enough to take to the skies tonight?

 

Personally I’m looking forward to the mulled wine and trying not to fall over on the ice rink. Oh yes, Christmas has arrived in Edinburgh.

Daily Sketch

All eyes on the big wheel

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BigWheel_darkAll eyes were on Princes Street this week as the big wheel begins to take shape.

As Christmas arrives in Edinburgh the central wheel is up but has still to have the ‘pods’ fitted so people can ride on it. The lights of the wheel tell that the big day is coming, and I captured them before the rest of the Christmas lights are turned on next weekend.

 

Edinburgh’s Christmas website

 

Competition

The WhereArtI Quiz, 17th November

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WAI171114WhereArtI Monday and another Edinburgh location for you to find. This one is a favourite of mine, a place to relax in beautiful surroundings, but can you name it?

 

There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers, and keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

 

Plus this week the WhereArtI returns to the pages of the Edinburgh Evening News with a brand new sponsor and a fantastic prize each week. Each week you could win a bottle of Edinburgh Gin plus a tour of their city centre distillery. Buy a copy today to find out more.

Daily Sketch

Autumn sketching for #EdinHour on twitter

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Autumnleaves_edinhourLast night I took part in some live sketching online, for 60 minutes during #EdinHour on twitter I posted several photographs of my sketch as it came to life.

 

As the people at EdinHour explain; ‘#hours are mass chat sessions on twitter on a given subject, virtually always on a regular basis such as ‘the first Friday of each Month at 8pm’. They are operated through a specific hashtag ending in ‘hour’.’

 

So #EdinHour is all about Edinburgh and each month there is a different subject and list of questions to start the conversation off. Last nights was all about Autumn. I thought it would be fun to draw a sketch within the hour to show my process in stages which a viewer of the final piece would not usually see.

 

Thankfully I completed the drawing, although I could of done more to it, in the time and the experiment was a success. My final sketch of leaves which I drew from a photo I had taken this week in the Botanics is above. Photos from the different stages, including the initial photo are below.

 

I hope it gives you a little more insight into the sketching process. I also decided to give away the print to one lucky #EdinHour tweeter last night and that person is Jane Carnall @EyeEdinburgh

 

edinhourleavesedinhour1 edinhour2 edinhour3 edinhour4 edinhour5 edinhour6

 

The next #EdinHour is on December 10th from 9-10pm. Log on to twitter and join in the conversation.

 

#EdinHour website

 

Competition

The WhereArtI Quiz, 10th November

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WAI101114bIt’s WhereArtI time and after last weeks wee excursion to Craigellachie Bridge we are back in Edinburgh. Can you name this city centre statue, perfect for ‘Movember’?

 

There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers, and keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

 

Plus next week on the 10th of November the Edinburgh #WhereArtI is set to return to the Edinburgh Evening News with a brand new sponsor and a fantastic prize each week. More information to come soon.