Today I thought I’d show my sketching tools which I take around with me, my must have items to help me sketch on the go.
It’s changed over the years as I’ve tried new mediums and left others out to save space and time. Most of it wraps up in a neat leather case so I can carry it round with me at all times.
I love to see behind the scenes of a picture, meeting the artist and learning a little more about how they work adds to my appreciation of a piece of work. So I thought I’d share my tools of the trade with you.
Do you have a sketch kit you take everywhere and if o how does it differ from mine?
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.
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.
On Saturday 26 September Lothian Buses will open its doors as part of Doors Open Day and invite the public to see inside the Central Depot in Annandale Street.
Here is a sketch I did a couple of years ago when I went to the Doors Open Day. The Architecture is fantastic and worth seeing, as is the huge bus wash and other events and that I remeber the Sketcher twins loved last time. For more details follow the link below.
Here 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.
This is the Usher Hall, on Lothian Road in the west end of Edinburgh. The city’s key venue for visiting national and international orchestras and the main venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.
The building owes its construction to whisky, as it was funded by Andrew Usher, a whisky blender who donated £100,000 to the city specifically to fund a new concert hall.
The building has featured in my WhereArtI competition before, I sketched the lions head above the entrance, the image is below.
Although meaning to I have never sketched the building in its entirety before and so I was glad to be asked to for a commission. If you would like to commission an illustration then prices start at just £65, email me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com for more information.
You can buy a print of this sketch from just £18 plus postage in my shop.
Monday morning, and a tough one for you today – can you tell me where in Edinburgh I am drawing?
There are points on offer for the first three correct answers and bragging rights for a week. 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.
Reflections of The National Records of Scotland offices in the windows of Waverley Gate, at the east end of Princes Street.
Today I had a whole heap of meetings spaced throughout the day, all located around North Bridge and Waterloo Place. Whilst walking from one to another I noticed a clock tower of the National Records office (behind the Wellington statue) reflected in the windows of the building opposite.
Here is my sketch, in pen using a Uni pin fine line 0.5 point.
Welcome to the monthly Scotland WhereArtI, can you locate this week’s drawing from somewhere in this beautiful country?
I am drawing somewhere in Scotland, all you have to do is tell me where. There are points on offer for the first three correct answers and bragging rights for a week 🙂 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 donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.
Remember the Edinburgh version of WhereArtI runs every Monday in the Edinburgh Evening News with a fantastic prize each week. You could win a bottle of Edinburgh Gin and a tour of the Edinburgh Gin distillery in Edinburgh city centre.
It’s always nice to see an act of kindness, it can lift people like nothing else and provide a wave of optimism stretching out in all directions.
Let me push the wave further by telling you that S.Luca Ice Cream sent a van load of creamy yumminess to Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Hospital today, enough for every child plus their visitors too. The famous Ice Cream creator has parlours in Musselburgh and Morningside, and apparently a member of their family was in Sick Kids recently and as a thank you a delivery of thousands of wee tubs of ice cream were sent to Edinburgh’s poorly kids this afternoon.
I was there with my boy who some of you will know, has haemophilia so is a regular to the hospital. So thank you to the S. Luca Ice Cream team, not only for the after lunch treat (which Sketcher twin 1 absolutely loved) but also for reminding us that acts of kindness are all around us. Have a good weekend Edinburgh.
Today I thought I’d show my sketching tools which I take around with me, my must have items to help me sketch on the go.
Merry Christmas everyone, happy holidays and all the very best for 2016.
Although not quite November I would like to share with you my pack of six illustrated Christmas cards of Edinburgh scenes.
On Saturday 26 September Lothian Buses will open its doors as part of Doors Open Day and invite the public to see inside the Central Depot in Annandale Street.
Here is a portrait of the Sketcher Twins during the week they began their final year in nursery.
This is the Usher Hall, on Lothian Road in the west end of Edinburgh. The city’s key venue for visiting national and international orchestras and the main venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.
Monday morning, and a tough one for you today – can you tell me where in Edinburgh I am drawing?
Reflections of The National Records of Scotland offices in the windows of Waverley Gate, at the east end of Princes Street.
Welcome to the monthly Scotland WhereArtI, can you locate this week’s drawing from somewhere in this beautiful country?
It’s always nice to see an act of kindness, it can lift people like nothing else and provide a wave of optimism stretching out in all directions.