Inktober 2017 - 'Filthy'

Staedtler Pigment Liners (various) and Tombow Brushpen

in 7.5" x 7.5" Handmade Sketchbook

I resorted to using a ruler for the horizontal lines in the staves as my usual method of steadying my finger along the edge of the sketchbook was proving a little wobbly (someone's overtired!). I also did a pencil underdrawing and nowadays I no longer waste time with a pencil, preferring to dive straight in with the pen and ink.  However, it was driving me a little mad so I gave in in the end.

I Googled 'Horace Silver' and found an ancient photo of him playing, I also found an image of the 'Blue Note' 45rpm single and the sheet music. As I've used way less than 10%, I'm assuming it's OK to use it.

Sketchcrawl - Old Spitalfields Market

Staedtler Pigment Liners, Tombow Brushpen and
Neocolour II Wax Pastels in 7.5" x 7.5" Handmade Sketchbook

Urban Sketchers London Sketchcrawl at Old Spitalfields Market today. My friend, Ella, came with me; it was her first one and we had a great day. It was warm and dry and there were plenty places to sit, eat and sketch. It was such an interesting venue; thank you USK London organisers.

I didn't have time to do the art deco building in the distance but will another time; it's beautiful.

Almost finished my sketch

(my subject in background)

Lunchtime and end of day comparisons

So many interesting places to sketch

Impressive view

Inktober 2017 - 'Shattered'

Staedtler Pigment Liner pens and red Pilot G-Tec C4 pen  
in 7.5" x 7.5" Handmade Sketchbook.

#Inktober, #Inktober 2017

She looks like I feel. Back to bed, methinks! Happy Thursday everyone.

Inktober 2017 - 'Run'

Staedtler Pigment Liners (various nib sizes) 
in 7.5" x 7.5" Handmade Sketchbook.

#Inktober, #Inktober 2017
[Legs from an internet photo; landscape scenery is mine]

I can hardly believe it's Day 11 already! Anyway, today's subject was 'Run' and I was not so sure of my final image but posted it anyway and by the end of today, I'd received 79 'likes' on the 'Inktober' FB page so I'm sitting here very humbled and hugely encouraged.

Inktober 2017 - 'Gigantic'

Staedtler Pigment Liners (various nib sizes) 
and Zig Brushpen in 7.5" x 7.5" Handmade Sketchbook.

#Inktober, #Inktober 2017

This is for Day 10 of Inktober - 'Gigantic'. I've had a few busier than normal days so rather than beat myself up about being behind, I simply omitted a few entries.

Happy creating!

Inktober 2017 - 'Under Water' (from a photo by AnupamNath)

Staedtler Pigment Liners (various nib sizes) and

Tombow Brushpen in 7.5" x 7.5" Handmade Sketchbook.

#Inktober, #Inktober 2017

278. Collage for '30 in 30' Challenge - September 2016

Collage for '30 in 30' Challenge,

September 2016

Well done everyone who took part! Some managed to do 30 paintings; some of us only did a few - I managed 17 but well done one and all as it may be 17 pieces of artwork that may not have happened otherwise. My thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way and, ultimately, huge thanks to Leslie Saeta for putting on another great challenge - thank you!!!

(End of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30' September 2016 Challenge.)

273. Road Back from the Supermarket

Pilot G-Tec and C4 pen,  Hybrid Gel Grip pen and Winsor & Newton

watercolours in re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

Can't get enough of this super view. My cousin's house is only one minute on from that bend on the horizon and my late parents' house is a further two minutes. Bliss!

I get my new glasses today - yippee!!

(Day 24 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30'.)

272. Dotty and Scratchy

Pilot G-Tec and C4 pen in re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

I thought you might like to see my first marks on the page when I'm sketching. I learned many years from a video by Charles Reid to put little dots on the page in order to  map out the image and recently heard Marc Taro Holmes (Urban Sketchers) say exactly the same thing. If you look closely, you'll be able to see where I changed my mind a few times about the placement of the sea edge, wall, etc, before actually settling on the final shape of it. To dot out a straightish line for the horizon, I anchor my little finger under the sketchbook and run the pen from left to right. (I do the same up and down for my street poles - see post 273.)

It's helpful that the pen is water-soluble so a little of it dissolves into the paint. If it starts to look muddy, I just lift it out with kitchen towel but most times I actually like to see those marks on the page, as in the clouds.

(Day 23 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30'.)

267. Supermarket View from Upstairs

Winsor & Newton watercolours and Pilot G-Tec C4 pen and
Hybrid Gel grip pen in re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x7.5" (x2)

If you go upstairs at the supermarket, where there are more shops and businesses, this is the view that meets you! It really has to be seen to be appreciated; I haven't done it much justice here. Have a great weekend everyone!

I wasn't totally happy with the previous image (now below) and could not think what it was that bothered me until I had to fit it onto Leslie's '30 in 30' page then I saw it! I much prefer the cropped version above; what do you think? (NB. It's in my sketchbook so is still in one piece - smile.)

(Day 17 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30'.)

262. Coconut Vendor

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen and Derwent Coloursoft pencils

in re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5"

I'm not sure what you call the spiky bits but that's how the coconuts look when cut down and the vendor cuts them free and will also slice off the tip and add a straw to your coconut so you can have instant refreshment!

(Day 12 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30'.)

259. Mo' Bay Luggage

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen and Derwent Coloursoft pencils in

re-cased Seawhite Sketchbook, 7.5 "x 7.5"

Waiting for collection from Montego Bay airport (Jamaica), I had time to observe my surroundings. What struck me about this scene was not just how much luggage these two older ladies had but how similarly dressed they were. They seem to be twins: same hat, glasses, shoes hand luggage but different clothing and they sat very easily together just commenting to each other from time to time.

255. Manchester Art and Jazz - Alongside the Canal and Yummy Food

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

We decided to take an alternative route back to the hotel and discovered the Gay Village - very colourful with lots of bunting and lively people.

Later, we saw the Lauren Kinsella Ensemble - really thoughtful lyrics, beautifully sung against lovely music.

We went for quite a long walk afterwards and then sought out a vegetarian/vegan restaurant. Apparently there is an 1847 restaurant in Brighton too - will definitely be checking that out! Highly recommended! 

254. Manchester Art and Jazz - Nino De Elche

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

This was not an 'urban' sketch because I only wrote the script above while we were out. The lead musician just poured out his soul and I felt it inappropriate to sketch while he was giving such a poignant performance. I just took a sneaky photo and drew from it on my return.

This gentleman spoke only in Spanish but I was able to understand a lot of it from my little knowledge of Italian. He, too, read some poetry but mostly sang, cried, gasped, etc., throughout the concert. 

The guitarist created amazing sounds by attaching little portable fans to the guitar and varied the effects by switching them on and off and changing the speeds. Molto interessante!

251. Manchester Art and Jazz - Alabaster Deplume

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

OK, now this was different! Gus (in the middle) offered up very interesting poetry as well as playing the saxophone. Paddy (on the right) had various percussive instruments all of which he used.

250. Manchester Art and Jazz - James Beckwith Trio

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

Another great set and it was evident that these guys were good friends as they seemed to get on really well with each other. I was taken up with getting the piano right and also the Manchester Jazz Festival logo so didn't get around to the other two musicians.

249. Manchester Art and Jazz - At the Peveril of the Peak Pub

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

I shouldn't laugh really but the guys on the left were so drunk! The one facing us was an older gentleman in a very snazzy suit who 'danced'(!) and sang very loudly to all the songs - yep, he knew all the lyrics - all night long! The two young guys were at the bar just long enough to buy their drinks.

Everyone was sketching everything!

248. Manchester Art and Jazz - Sketching Outside the Pub

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5"

It was a pleasure to run into James ("Jim") Richards outside the Peveril in the Peak Pub - one of the two pubs where the sketchers met up in the evenings.

I have his Craftsy video and watch it frequently; it is well worth a look as his sketches and paintings are so cheerful as well as skilfully executed and he's a very good and popular tutor. My husband enjoyed chatting to him about New Orleans jazz and blues because that's the reason he came with me to Manchester! 

247. Manchester Art and Jazz - Peter Edwards Trio

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5" (x2)

This was the first concert we attended - the guys were great so we bought their CD. You can see the 'set' down the left hand side. Afterwards, the Peter (at the piano) asked if he could photograph my sketch and he also signed it - great!

246. Manchester Art and Jazz - Real Pizza

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5"

 
Well, excitement on top of excitement - we went to Manchester because the annual Urban Sketchers' Symposium was being held there at the Manchester School of Art. In addition, the Jazz Festival was on at the same time, together with the Beer Festival. This meant that Manchester was buzzing and around every corner at various times of the day, there were sketchers, music lovers and beer drinkers - sometimes all three were combined!

We were amongst the many that did not have a Symposium ticket but went along (so glad I did) as there were several sketch crawls and so much to sketch in the city centre.

This is the first of a few sketches I did - mostly at the jazz concerts - it is unfinished because we wanted a front seat at the concert where I could sketch the musicians and their instruments with a clear view.