Tag Archives: Greyfriars Bobby

Daily Sketch

Greyfriars Bobby, drawn in pencil, ink and watercolour

2 Comments

Greyfriars Bobby (Brewhemia)A sign of true devotion, Greyfriars Bobby deserves a pat when visiting Edinburgh. 

Skye Terrier Bobby belonged to John Gray, an Edinburgh City Policeman, who when he died in 1858 was buried in Greyfriars  Kirkyard. Bobby was then said to spend his remaining 14 years by the side of his master’s grave.

In 1867 the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Chambers, who was also a director of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, paid for Bobby’s licence and gave the dog a collar, now in the Museum of Edinburgh.

A year after the dogs death this drinking fountain was commissioned by Lady Burdett-Coutts, the statue was sculpted by William Brodie.

Sketchbobby photos

Mounted prints of this drawing of Edinburgh’s most famous dog can be bought online in either 150x100mm for £18 or 200x290mm for £32 plus postage.

This sketch was drawn in pencil and then inked over the top. I then erased the pencil marks before adding a watercolour wash.

Buy a signed copy here.

Museum of Edinburgh website.

Daily Sketch

Greyfriars Bobby is honoured on the anniversary of his death, 143 years ago.

17 Comments

GreyfriarsBobbyAn annual commemorative event took place today at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh for the capital’s most devoted dog.

Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye terrier whose loyalty has made him famous and well loved around the world passed away 143 years ago and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Aged 16 years at his passing in 1872 Bobby spent 14 of those years by the grave of his master, John Gray after the policeman’s death from tuberculosis.

 

In Greyfriars Kirk you can visit Bobby’s grave and at The Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile you will find Bobby’s dinner dish and collar. It’s a lovely story of a dog’s loyalty to his owner, even after just a short period together.

 

My sketch is of the bronze statue which was created in 1873 and sits at the top of Candlemaker Row outside the Greyfriars Kirk, and Greyfriars Pub on George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.

 

 

The Museum of Edinburgh

 

More information here at the Greyfriars Bobby website

Daily Sketch

Bobby warms up for a good cause

32 Comments

Bobby_ShawlThis morning Edinburgh ‘Craft-ivists’ wrapped Greyfriars Bobby in a crocheted shawl, to highlight the plight of African orphans.

 

Local craft group Granny Greens handmade 500 blanket squares – the height of the Grayfriars Bobby statue, which will now be posted to Johannesburg in South Africa where the charity Knit-a-Square will get local volunteers to sew blankets for orphans. Many of the orphans are also infected with HIV AIDS – as it is an auto immune disease keeping warm helps their ability to stay well.

Knit-a-Square has been working for over 5 years to get squares from crafters around the world to contribute to blankets. Granny Greener Mary Gordon explained ‘As Bobby was an orphaned dog it’s an appropriate way to get people inspired to help out. I’ve made Bobby a small blanket – a miniature of the ones the orphans wear so he can stand in solidarity with them.’

My sketch shows Bobby sporting his new shawl. What a great cause, follow the links below to help out.

 

Daily Sketch

Bobby and robin

Leave a comment

This is the first glimpse of one of this years Christmas Cards. Currently being printed Bobby and Robin will be one of six cards in a pack to go on sale from Saturday.

Three will be three black and white sketches like this one and three watercolours.

I’m pretty sure they’ll be £3.50 for the pack of six with £1 from each pack going to Sick Kids Childrens Hospital charity; the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

So how do you like card number one?