Tag Archives: sketching

Daily Sketch

Tools of the trade

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ToolsOfTheTradeToday 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?

Daily Sketch

My new Friday afternoon Art Class

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ZoeJames_Nature_650My new Friday afternoon Art Class begins on August 28th and runs for six weeks, in partnership with Honey Pot Ceramics Arts and Crafts Studio.

 

I’m so excited to be starting a regular class for kids after school on a Friday. Based at the Edinburgh International Climbing Centre, Honey Pot run a number of creative classes and together we will combine to run a creative and artistic weekly class through to Friday 2nd October.

 

Alternating the weeks between sketching with me and creating clay pieces with Honey Pots, by the end of the 6 classes your child will have learnt new sketching and clay making skills and have a number of sketches and pottery pieces to take home. Plus a framed piece from my classes encompassing all we have learnt to create a portrait.

 

Sessions run from 3.30pm – 5pm and will run in term-time. Each session costs £12 per child, or a block of six sessions is £60. Classes are suitable for children aged 5 and over.

 

For more information and to book one of our limited places on the course call Honey Pot Ceramics on 0131 333 6348 or visit their facebook page below.

 

Honey Pot Ceramics Arts and Crafts Studio on facebook.

 

 

 

Daily Sketch

Sketching workshops at Lauriston Castle

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sketchers3_fromYana_webThis summer I am running a number of sketch workshops at Lauriston Castle, in partnership with Edinburgh Council

My first day of workshops took place in July and I am very glad to say, a sell out. Marketed for families just starting their summer holidays we had a good range of ages attending, and a good range of accents as many had made the event part of their holiday in Edinburgh.

 

You may of seen some of the images below on my social media at the time but for those who didn’t the blue door selection was one of our subjects. I like to have a whole class focus in on a detail, such as the blue door and then see all the work together. It shows the range of styles and how each one has merits and personality.

drawings2_web

My next day of classes is tomorrow, Saturday 15th August and although the morning session is sold out, at the time of writing there was still a few places in the afternoon. The session runs from  1-3pm and costs £20. Tickets can be booked via the Usher Hall website HERE

 

Below are a few more photographs from the first event. Thanks to Yana from The Green Deer company who came along on the tour and supplied the images with myself in them!

Me2_fromYana_web sketchers1_web

Book your tickets here

Lauriston Castle on facebook

 

Daily Sketch

Drawings from the Lauriston Castle Garden Party

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LauristonGardenParty_LawnLast weekend I was invited to the Community Garden Party with the Lord Provost at Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh.

The Lord Provost was there to award Edinburgh’s many volunteers, those recognised for their crucial contribution to local life. He said: “I want this celebration to recognise and reward those who make a positive contribution to our great city – particularly the unsung heroes who give up their time tirelessly for others and for the good of their local community.”

 

Afternoon tea was served in front of the historic castle, on the croquet lawn which was where I drew the illustration above. In the foreground you can see the very talented Davidson’s Mains and District Pipe Band, who played while guests arrived and throughout the evening.

 

LauristonGardenParty_Marquee

 

There was also a marquee with various singing and dancing groups entertaining the guests. Above is a sketch with the Sco Vibe fusion orchestra on the stage. Part of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sco Vibe is open to young musicians aged 11-18 from any musical background, including classical, folk, rock and pop.

 

Although a bit windy, the sun stayed out and it was an honour to be meet many of Edinburgh’s contributors, and see their everyday efforts recognised. Below are a few more sketches from the afternoon, click on each one to enlarge.

 

LauristonGardenParty_Arriving LauristonGardenParty_PipeBand LauristonGardenParty_Constables

 

 

My next Lauriston Castle sketch class

 

Scottish Chamber Orchestra website

 


Davidson’s Mains and District Pipe Band website

 

 

 

Daily Sketch

A sketching workshop in nature

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HoneyPotCeramics_outsideI am pleased to announce I will be running a one day sketching workshop in partnership the Honey Pot Arts and Crafts on Sunday July 26th.

Based in Ratho at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, the Honey Pot studio is huge, full of arts and crafts and with double doors to a secluded garden (within a disused quarry!), means this workshop will be able to include both outdoor and indoor sketching . The above sketch is from the garden, showing the impressive quarry rock faces that surround the EICA.

 

So join me for 2 hours of sketching , lose yourself in a world of crosshatching and watercolour. We will forage items to draw from the garden and create beautiful compositions. Through short timed sketches and fun activities you will relax into your art and discover a natural ability to record what you see in just a few strokes.

 

We’ll discuss and compare the artwork before mounting our favourites to take home.

 

This 2 hour workshop is aimed at Families: Adults £20, children (age 5+) £6 with an accompanying paying adult, who is also sketching. To book your place call Honey Pot Arts and Crafts on 0131 3336348

 

Honey Pot Arts and Crafts facebook page

 

Below is a sketch of the interior, crammed full of ceramics, glass work, jewellery and other on going creative projects. Both sketches are in black ink with a watercolour wash.

HoneyPotCeramics_inside

Daily Sketch

Calton Hill, from the Canongate Kirk Yard

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CanongateKirkyardGraveyards can be beautiful places to draw in, the contrast between precise stone sculpture and overgrown, wild, natural habitation has always been a favourite for art students.

I am often to be found sketching in church yards around Edinburgh and over the years Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile has become a favourite of mine. When I first started drawing for a living I sketched the kirk quite often for wedding stationary and invites for clients due to be married at the 17th-century church.

 

Current building work being carried out behind the Kirk may well change this view which I sketched last summer. I hope not too much as the view over to Calton Hill and the Old Royal High School is delightful.

 

Below is a sketch of the front of the Canongate Kirk, both drawn in black ink with a watercolour wash.

 

CanongateKirk_gate

 

Canongate Kirk website

 

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