Two Old Men

These guys are actually a combination of characters put together from photos, a face from another artist's sketch, the bench from another artist's work and some 'made up' bits. I would like to spend some time sketching people in the park. People watching is very interesting but you need to be careful they don't think you're staring! I've been caught out before and told off!

My Holly

I felt I had to do a quick sketch of Holly since the boys have had their fair share of sketches! Holly was wearing her newly bought wetsuit on holiday here.

Painted Boat

I wanted to have a play with some old acrylics. Its ages since I've used them, I've been working with watercolour for so long now. I used a photo of a fishing boat from our trip to Wales at Easter. I could still work on this, so watch this space.

My two Boys

Nothing more to add.........!

Jack in his Pants

Drawn from a combination of photos taken on holiday and technically he is in his swim shorts. Jack still spends a lot of time in his pants or pajama shorts but this is only because he takes so long getting dressed in the morning.

JB Cooking

JB cooked curry tonight. Perfect for warming you up. The house is still without radiators and the weather is rainy and getting colder......

Art Exhibition at Hart Leisure Centre

Holly and I went to the gym tonight at Hart Leisure Centre and in the reception area we were treated to an exhibition of sculptures; the artist is Ben Dearnley. From what I could learn on the DVD playing, he has cast the torsos from a select number of Olympic athletes- rowers, a wheel chair basketball player, discus thrower and so on. There were also some delightful simple linear pen and ink drawings of the whole figure in action in mounted frames on the walls which I particularly liked. The show is up until the beginning of November- so if you are around go and have a look- it's definitely worth viewing!

Keeping Warm!

Today was the first really cold day after the summer since it rained from 10am to 6pm non stop. But with no radiators yet, (plumber to install these hopefully soon) we had to rely on our open fire. The surround needs replacing but it still gave out good heat. So a quick sketch while sitting in front of the fire watching 'Downton Abbey' was perfect. Shame about the swirly carpet....

A quick sketch of my flower bed

Going out with girlfriends, so it had to be a really quick sketch of my flowerbed!

Allotments

Just a quick drawing from the old allotment. Mine is not so well dug unfortunately- a small thing called weeds!

Horses on the Paddock

I found a sketch in an old sketchbook from last year made around this time, (maybe a little later since the horses all have their coats on.) of the paddock in front of our house. I think we are so lucky to have this view. I decided to do a 'sketch from a sketch'; I took a small section of the drawing and enlarged it.

It Takes Two

I couldn't resist sketching these two holiday makers on the beach while on holiday. I also couldn't resist colouring them in!

Lady at the Hospital

Today I took Sam to hospital for a blood test and consultant’s appointment. Sam was born with an underdeveloped thyroid gland- apparently he is one in four thousand born in this country with this condition called 'hypothyroidism'. He needs to take thyroxin tablets every day and will do for the rest of his life. The blood test measures 'T4' and 'TSH'. Some of you may understand what these mean and do- too much to write here! The consultant thinks Sam will need his dose increased since he has had a growth spurt and is approaching the dreaded puberty. I beat him up the stairs this time (he usually beats me) and this could be a sign, well, the consultant said a lack of energy could be a clue.

Anyway, while sitting in the waiting room I sneakily drew this lady sitting opposite. We were in the children’s ward and she must have had a child with her somewhere, probably hiding.....

 

Sam's Crossbow

Today Sam made a large crossbow. He carved a length of wood and managed to bend it and secure the ends to the straight length of wood. He went in to the shed and worked hard all afternoon. The crossbow is really strong and meticulously tied. I started to draw his creation and realised I was not going to be able to fit the end on to my sketchbook-hence the dark edge and the 'cut off bit' on the right.

So why was Sam doing this rather than playing on the computer or his PS 3? Punishment is the short answer and not doing as he should when JB and I were out on my birthday! But I have to add, Sam has taken it on the chin and actually enjoyed his day. Holly and Jack are most impressed with his creation- well, Jack is, girls don't really care about this kind of thing.

My family in a line

Holidays, holidays! Here is the family all in a line looking out towards the sea while taking a break on a walk.

It's my Birthday!

Here are the cards Holly, Sam and Jack have made. Can you guess who did which?

People's Pets

I'm taking some finished artwork to the framer- (although I do need to make more of the cat's eyes first) and I thought I would show a part of it on my blog. Chickens, dogs, cats; I've even put cows in a painting for a client. I've yet to be asked to put the actual client in their picture……

 

Costa arrives in Hartley Wintney

Hartley Wintney has gone up in the world. There is now a Costa where the wine shop used to be. To some this is not such a good thing since it a large chain takes business away from local people. But I love it. Just a quick sketch on a sunny morning.