Tag Archives: view

Views across to Fife

A favourite place for a summers evening walk, The Old Chain Pier has great views across the Forth.

I live just along a bit from here and its a nice half hour wander with a pint at the end, and those views are amazing. Seals are often seen from the window seats and they also have outdoor seating overlooking the bay between Granton and Newhaven.

The Old Chain Pier website.

WhereArtI Quiz – 16th August

Can you tell me which two streets this path links …

Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched?

Your comment will not show up until I reveal the answer tomorrow morning. Get your answer in before midnight tonight and I will pick a random winner from all correct entries by this time tomorrow.

This week’s prize is a screen printed tote bag featuring my illustration of Edinburgh Castle.

Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed later today, and remember you can also see my weekly competition in the printed version of the Edinburgh Evening News each Monday.

Keep looking up and noticing the beauty in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next!

My Edinburgh sketched merchandise and high quality prints are available on my Etsy shop and I am available for commissions too. Email me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com for more details.

WhereArtI Edinburgh?

Monday 2nd November

Can you tell me where I have sketched?

A veiw into the city, but from where?

Leave your answer in the comment box below.

Your comment will not show up until I reveal the answer. Closing time for entering is midnight tonight and I will pick a random winner from all correct entries by this time tomorrow.

This week’s prize is a screen printed tote bag featuring my Edinburgh Castle illustration.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CastleBag-blue.jpg

Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feeds for clues if they are needed later today, and remember you can also see my weekly competition in the printed version of the Edinburgh Evening News each Monday.

Keep looking up and noticing the beauty in the everyday, you never know where I will be sketching next!

My Edinburgh sketched merchandise is available on my Etsy shop and I am now available for Christmas commissions. Email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com for more details.

Urban Sketching with Cassandra and Mark
Join in my fortnightly online workshops with Edinburgh artist Cassandra Harrison. On the first and third Tuesday of every month, from 7pm – 8.15pm

A new view and a fresh perspective

Edinburgh from Corstorphine HillThis afternoon I went for a walk up Corstophine Hill, looking for a new view of Edinburgh which had been recommended to me some time ago.

It is always good to get a fresh perspective on life, I often walk up Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh to get some fresh air, fill the lungs and stretch the legs. It gives you chance to take stock, time to think about things and hopefully come back down more able to rationalise your problems and look at finding solutions in a fresh state of mind.

The walk up to this view from the Queensferry Road car park took around an hour and I passed the Corstophine Tower on route and also got a little lost! After asking a few friendly dog walkers the way I soon found what I was looking for, and what a stunning view of the Edinburgh.

I recommend taking a walk up the the Rest And Be Thankful spot yourself, it is marked on the map in the car park too. I can’t think of a better situated bench in the city!

This sketch was drawn with aink fineliner and waterclolour added with a waterbrush. 

CHsketchandview

 

Happy 21st Birthday to Apex Hotels

Apex21st VenueCastleLast week Apex Hotels celebrated being 21 years old and I was invited to capture the occasion in sketches.

A party was held at the magnificent Heights venue on top of the Apex Grassmarket, which has fantastic views over Edinburgh Castle. I have visited before for breakfast and here is a link to by previous sketch.

It was nice to be back as Apex Hotels, who now have 4 venues in Edinburgh, turned 21 years old. Other locations include Haymarket and Waterloo Place.

Apex21st Castle

I tried to capture the atmosphere, colours and movement from the night with my sketchpad and watercolours as I mingled with guests and staff enjoying a rare night off to mark their achievements.

Gifts were given out throughout the night, including a voucher for an Edinburgh Sketcher commission and head chef Tony Singh provided delicious canapes for those enjoying the party.

Apex21st VenueCake

If you would like me to capture your event in sketches email me here to discuss details.

All sketches drawn on the night with pen and watercolours, and my water brush. 

Apex Hotels website

Apex21st Cupcake

Pen and Ink on Queens Drive, Edinburgh

arthursseatroadRecently I was commissioned to draw this view from Arthurs Seat, as Edinburgh emerges from Queen’s Park as you drive/walk/cycle around the city’s extinct volcano.

I am often asked what is my favourite view of Edinburgh and this is always in my top five (the favourite changes constantly depending on where I have been sketching) as I love the way the city opens up as you climb and turn the corner.

A must see and a great cycle in the centre of town Queen’s Drive climbs and circles Arthurs Seat, passing Dunsappie Loch before being rewarded with this fantastic view.

Sketch drawn on location in black ink. Commissions start at £65, email me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com for more information.

Arthurs Seat on Historic Enviroment Scotland website

 

Stunning views from the Dean Gallery, Modern Two.

ModernTwo_ViewThere is plenty of beauty and wonder to look at outside the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art too.

Recently I met a client at the cafe in Modern Two, also know as the Dean Gallery in Edinburgh’s West End.

The walk from the city centre to the gallery of modern art is a favourite of mine, through the stunning Georgian architecture of the New Town and along the Water of Leith, it is a wonder. And all just 15 minutes from George Street.

But before you enter as you climb the grand steps outside Modern Two remember to turn around and take in this view, across the city to St Cuthbert’s Church. Can anyone tell me the name of the spire in the foreground?

Sketch created in black ink and watercolour wash.

The Scottish Gallery of Modern Art website

 

Sketching Stafford Street in stages.

StaffordStPHOTO_1Yesterday I drew a scene from Edinburgh’s West End, and posted photographs online as the drawing took shape.

Standing on the corner of Stafford and Melville Street, looking towards Shandwick Place I noticed the architectural angles directing me along the Edinburgh street. In a rush I took a photo to sketch from later.

 

Here are the four stages of my illustration which shows some of the process as I sketch. Although I often don’t draw in pencil if out and about, favouring the speed of using the pen straight away.

 

StaffordStPHOTO_2 StaffordStPHOTO_3 StaffordStPHOTO_4

Christmas views from the Mercure Hotel on Princes Street

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