Tag Archives: trees

Harrison Park in the Snow

As the snow may be here soon I thought I would share this sketch I made just over a year ago. I forgot to add it to my website and to the Etsy page so now I have rectified that, and signed prints can be bought via the link below.

The drawing was made with black india ink and a brush pen. I enjoyed being restricted to a single colour, you can see the layers of ink in the tree branches as they overlap each other and create darker and light shades.

The prints are on lovely watercolour paper, each one is signed and mounted and then enclosed in a protective sleeve. I have three sizes available at the shop below.

Harrison Park in the Snow, Edinburgh. A Signed Print in a Card Mount and Protective Sleeve. From an Original Indian Ink Drawing. – Etsy UK

Watercolours in the woods

The rain and mist seemed to add to the wonder at Dalkeith Country Park.

You don’t have to go far from the city to find huge woods to walk through and wonderful autumn colours to get lost in. Today I took a walk though Dalkeith Country Park just as the rain was falling and the mist was lifting.

Despite the heavy rain fall the forest seemed to be alight with flames, the oranges, reds and yellows were that intense. I could of stayed there all day but my paper pad was getting soggy.

I passed a happy group of toddlers in their waterproofs exploring the muddy forest floor as I headed inside the Restoration Yard for a hand warming americano.

I look forward to returning soon, hopefully before the colours all fall to the ground!

Dalkeith Country Park website.

Autumn winds bring colour

With the first big winds of late September it seems that overnight the seasons changed in Edinburgh.

Last night we had a stormy night, strong winds and rain meant we heard the tiles clattering on the roof as I laid in bed and this morning I had a nervous look at the garden fence to see if any of the hardy panels had finally given up. Thankfully they held strong 🙂

But on the walk to school I could see the trees had let go of plenty of leaves, twigs and hundreds of conkers which we had been eagerly waiting for. Looking up to the branches in previous weeks, trying in vain to reach and grab a spiky shell , or finding one only to find the nut not ready. And then overnight we were surrounded, I think we will drill a few tonight for a game of conkers.

City sunrise on an icy day

Click to zoom

Icy conditions and a clear wintry sky made for some stunning views on this mornings drive to school.

This particular view from just around the corner of my home is looking into the city, and you can just make out the Crags and Arthurs Seat to the right of the rising sun.

The ice on the roads gave everything a reflection which seemed to fade perfectly from greeny blues to fiery oranges. So much so that I actually put the watercolour wash down first on this piece, most unusual for me.

I faded the wash from the sun area out to the bottom right and then once dry I added the ink with a fountain pen. I like the results, the fade is keeping the colour range together and I think if I had added the colour second I would of touched up bits of orange here and there and ruined the simplicity.

A view through the Botanics

A stunning view on today’s walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh.

Out on my walk today and I had to stop and try and capture this view through the botanical gardens. Looking back through the trees to the Chinese gardens you can see the three spires of St Mary’s Cathedral in the distance.

Inverleith House is just around the corner on the right, with the gallery and cafe too. I love a walk through the ever changing gardens, and think of myself very lucky to have such a walk near to home.

Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh website.

The John Muir Grove

A beautiful circle of Redwoods rising like columns into the tree canopy, this quiet part of the RBGE is wonderful.

Often used as a place to be married and I can see why, the magnificent redwoods create quite a cathedral of nature as you stand beneath them, just off the path through the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh.

I am lucky to live close by and the ever changing gardens are a favourite place for me to come and draw, surrounded by nature but within the heart of the city.

This drawing is available as a print through my etsy shop HERE.

Sunshine on the Meadows

I met a client at Summerhall the other day and had to walk through this gorgeous park at its best, full of colour just now.

This watercolour was drawn whilst leaning against a tree in the Meadows park, on the South side of Edinburgh and just over the road from Edinburgh’s Childrens Hospital.

The sun was still just peeking over the rooftops behind me and shining through the thick trees causing great dark and light streaks across the playing fields.

The many paths that run across the park can be seen with each layer of colour. I didn’t capture the colour I wanted but will have to return and try again soon. Before the colour has fallen to the ground.

Autumn colours, as best as I could capture them

The beauty of Edinburgh’s green spaces are currently transforming into a wonderful colour show to rival anything our festivals can offer.

Today I enjoyed a peaceful walk along the cycle paths of North Edinburgh, the old railway lines run beneath the roads of the city providing a traffic free and nature filled way to get from A to B.

This mornings walk was full of colour and as I kicked my way though piles of fallen leaves every now and then I stopped to pick up a particular pretty leaf. I like to sketch the leaves this way each year, taking time to appreciate just how wonderful mother nature is.

Once home I arranged the leaves and created this colourful sketch and although capturing the autumn colours will remain my holy grail of watercolours, I am pleased with this years sketch 😉

This sketch was created in the warmth of my studio, with a Uni Pn 0.3 and watercolour brush/pallet. 

Spring has sprung with the colourful crocuses popping up all around Edinburgh

Crocuses VictoriaParkSigns of Spring: Lighter in the evenings, feeling warm in sheltered sunshine, and multicoloured crocuses flooding the capitals green spaces.

I love this time of year, although I love most times of the year in Edinburgh. I think it is the change I like, just when you have had enough of one season another comes along to brighten the mood and make you see yor surroundings in a new way.

Especially in Scotland, where we often get many seasons in one day of course!

These crocuses were drawn in Victoria Park on Ferry Road in Edinburgh, with a black fine liner with a quick watercolour wash over the top.

The warmer weather is making me want to sketch outdoors more and more, check out my Sketching Days page for outdoor workshops coming soon where you can come along and draw with me.