Tag Archives: watercolour

A trip down memory lane, to the Ness shop on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

Ness_RoyalMileTime for a look back to November 2011, and one of my first sketches as Edinburgh Sketcher.

Five years ago I worked at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh and would spend spare moments wandering up and down the famous high street, taking in the wonderful multicultural sights and sounds as the city came to life with , talented street performers and proud locals telling tales of Edinburghs history.

Inspired by the sights and sounds I began sketching my surroundings and this website, and ultimately, and thankfully my current employment ‘Edinburgh Sketcher’ was created.

This sketch shows the colour and architecture of that famous centuries-old street, and remains one of my favourites to this day.

‘Ness’ are creators of modern womens wear and accessories. Find out more about them at the link below.

This sketch was created firstly in pencil (see pencil sketch HERE) and then inked in with pen and watercolour later. 

The Ness Shop website

My original post for this sketch

Newhaven Lighthouse, Edinburgh

NewhavenLighthouseA symbol of hope, of solid if treacherous ground ahead, a shining light in the fog.

Some of the reasons lighthouses appeal to people, they are often a subject of choice for photographers and artists and this fine example at Newhaven harbour in Edinburgh is no exception.

Search for Newhaven Lighthouse Edinburgh in google images to see what I mean, many stunning sunsets have been captured here. I decided to visit a little earlier in the day however.

I live close by and this lighthouse and Granton Harbour are a favourite sketching area for me. I love to take a break from the city and hear the tinkle of the boats as they rock in the harbour.

Take a trip down to Leith and walk along the coast, or catch a number 11 or 16 bus from the city centre to Newhaven Harbour.

The above image was sketched on location with black fineliner and watercolour paint. Drawn on A4 watercolour paper the original is for sale for £140 and prints can be bought from £18. Contact me at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com to buy.  

newhavenphoto2

New Waverley Arches open on a sunny evening in May

TheArches_bannerMudoThe 19 newly renovated Victorian arches on East Market Street are now open and ready to serve, so I went for a stroll along Edinburgh’s newest shopping district.

TheArches_fromNorthBridgePart of the £150 million New Waverley development which is transforming part of the Old Town, the Arches have been opened up and filled with some fantastic independent businesses, each of which deserve to be discovered.

TheArches_fromJeffreyStreetI was invited to come along and sketch the launch party last week and these are my sketches from the evening. As you can see from the sketch above the lights from each arch can be seen from high up on North Bridge. If there descend the Scotsman Hotel steps onto Market Street and then head under the bridge to find the first of 19 Arches which increase in height the further down the cobbled street you venture.

The arches date back to 1875 and were traditionally used for storage areas and have never before been accessible to the public.

The retail outlets combine fashion, beauty, eating and drinking, as well as an art gallery where you can find some of my work. See my sketch below of some of the items I gathered on a walk about!

 

For more information follow @archesnw on twitter and visit East Market Street this weekend to meet the traders!

 

Sketches all drawn on location in ink and watercolour.

TheArches_goodsTheArches_street

Beautiful blossom hangs from the branches throughout Edinburgh

TrinityBlossom_houseThe glorious sunshine in Edinburgh is highlighting the range of colours in the city’s trees. Especially appealing against the bright sandstone architecture.

Yesterday I took a walk through Trinity in the North of Edinburgh and marvelled at the heavy laden branches, stunning pinks, creams and deep reds.

It’s hard to do justice to such colours and this is one thing I am always looking to perfect, capturing the rich and bright petals.

TrinityBlossom_flower

My sketches are drawn in black fineliner 0.5 with a watercolour wash. 

Architectural Drawing at Surgeons Hall Museums

SurgeonsHall_cropSurgeonsHall_pillarsI’ll be running a sketching workshop this Saturday 14th May at the Surgeons’ Hall Museums.

Come and draw the magnificent sculptured buildings of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
I will be giving speed sketching tips and helping you capture your view in ink and watercolour. All abilities are welcome for this relaxed and engaging workshop in beautiful surroundings.

Find out more about my  three 90 minute classes on Saturday and book your place from just £6 (£3.50 concession) here:

Book Your Place

Less than a week until the @FestofMuseums – Are you taking part or attending an event? Find out more about what is happening this weekend on the Festival of Museums website.

 

WhereArtI : 9th May 2016 : Edinburgh

ES_WAI090516Morning Edinburgh, do you recognise my sketch this week?

If so let me know below for the chance to earn points on the leader board. The WhereArtI competition goes live every Monday morning at 8am, I sketch a location in Edinburgh, you tell me where I am. On the first Monday of each month however, the sketch could be anywhere in Scotland.

There are points on offer for the first three correct answers, with a prize to who tops the leader board at the end of the year. Good luck every one! Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answer to come before Tuesday morning.

If you would like to sponsor the quiz or feature in the quiz, then get in touch at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

One of Edinburgh’s most beautiful wedding venues, Mansfield Traquair

MansfieldTraquairThis sketch is of Mansfield Traquair Centre, a former Church which lies to the East end of Edinburgh’s New Town.

Now used for weddings, parties and corporate events, as well as office space, the unique venue is part of the Heritage Portfolio group of buildings. Lottery money was awarded to renovate and restore the church in the 90’s and a visit to see the remarkable murals inside is a must.

The sketch above of the exterior is available to be used on wedding stationary, email me to discuss the details if you are interested.

I have also sketched live at a wedding there also, and below are a few photographs from the resulting hard back book I produced for the bride and groom.

wedd1 wedd2

If you are interested in booking me as a Wedding Sketcher on your special day, or as is proving very popular as a wedding gift, then email me to discuss.

The Queensferry Crossing is taking shape across the Firth of Forth.

QueensferryCrossing_BeingBuiltToday I was at South Queensferry sketching the Forth road bridges, both current and future.

I parked my car at the RNLI car park looking out over the Forth in between the road bridge and the rail bridge. I’m always looking for new angles and I spotted this angle of the new bridge being built, behind the current road bridge, and all framed in a section of the iron railing in front of the car.

bridgephoto
Sketching on location.

The sketch shows one of the three towers of the new ‘Queensferry Crossing’, with cables stretching out on either side. I look forward to returning once the road bridge is complete, it looks pretty impressive so far.

Sketch drawn in an A4 heavy weight watercolour pad, with a 0.5 fineliner pen and a watercolour wash over the top.

This original ink and watercolour sketch measures 290x200mm and is available to buy for £165. Prints can be purchased at £18 for 150x100mm or £32 for 290x200mm. Email me to order.

Forth Bridges website

Celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday on board Britannia

Britannia90thSketchOn Thursday 22nd April I was asked to create this sketch of the celebrations on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, in Leith.

There was a celebratory mood on board, helped by the brass band sounds from The Musical Mariners’ Band,who played on the dock and cake an fizz for all who came aboard. The music continued on Britannia as the Welmar Baby Grand piano was expertly played in the drawing room.

The Royal Tea Deck served some of the Queen’s favourite dishes, including coroantion chicken and chocolate perfection pie!

In the evening there was a spectacular firework display which you may well of heard across Edinburgh.

The sketch below is of visitor watching The Musical Mariners’ Band from on board Britannia.

The Royal Yacht Britannia website.

Sketches drawn in black ink and watercolour paint, on location. 

 

Britannia90th_band

 

Britannia90thSketch_boat

Newhaven Harbour in glorious sunshine.

NewHaven_HarbourI’m lucky enough to live close to Newhaven Harbour and love listening to the tinkling boat masts and seagulls circling above.

I drive past the lighthouse (built 1869) often and yesterday did so with thankfully some time to sketch. I could sit for hours listening to the rocking boats in the small harbour, looking out through the narrow ‘gateway’ to Fife, I find it very relaxing. Add in come watercolurs and a blank canvas and I’m in heaven!

 

I painted this sketch with black ink and watercolour whilst sitting on the large stone steps between the harbour and road.

 

The original sketch is now sold but you can order a high quality mounted print from my online shop HERE.

 

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