179. Fruit Pastilles added …..

Staedtler 0.05 pigment liner, Unipin 0.05 pen and 

Derwent Coloursoft Pencils in Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5"

A friend, on seeing my 'soft pastels box', asked "Where are the Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles?" So, Trish, here they are just for you! (I really enjoyed drawing them!)

178. 'Art Materials' Challenge

Pilot G-Tec-C4, Neocolour II wax pastels,

Faber Castell and Kuretake Brushables in

Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

This is No. 8 - 'Draw your art materials'. I chose to draw my beloved soft pastel travel box which is full of broken-off pieces from Schmincke and Unison pastel sets.

177. 'View Through a Window' Challenge

Pilot G-Tec-C4 on Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

This is No. 7 - I found some photographs I took through the car window when we were driving through the Lake District, Cumbria, a couple of years ago. (I was not the driver!)

176. Stack of Books

Copic 0.03 Multiliner pen (over now erased Faber Castell HB pencil) and

Tombow pen on Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

Another from thevirtualinstructor.com drawing challenges. This was so tricky. The issue was trying to draw straight lines on varying diagonals but this only proves that these are great challenges as they really force you to think.

175. Restaurant/Cafe Scene

Faber Castel 1.7 HB pencil on

Moleskine Squared Notebook, 7" x 5.5"

In great haste but am backdating this to the 12th when I drew it.  (This is from thevirtualinstructor.com.)  Happy arting everyone!

174. Jacqui's Meringue

Pilot G-Tec C4 water-soluble pen and Tombow brushpen

in Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

I had to sketch really fast so am very happy this came out correctly. Thank you Jacqui (and guests) for your patience while I sketched it.

173. Workshop - Coniston, Lake DIstrict, Cumbria

Schmincke and Unison Soft Pastels

on Daler Rowney Murano Paper, 16" x 12"

I was privileged to do another workshop with the enigmatic and thoroughly enthusiastic Impressionist pastel artist, Eiko Yoshimoto, at the Mall Galleries last week. We work from a selection of our own photographs because she dislikes seeing students walk out with ten identical paintings at the end of the day where they've copied the tutor's demo. I took the photograph below whilst in the Lake District in Cumbria. (Eiko always insists I sign my name "properly, not just initials!")

If you ever get a chance to study with her, please do; her teaching style is unique as she teaches using stories and analogies which, of course, you remember more easily.

172. When Life Hands You Lemons…..

Schmincke Soft Pastels

on Clairefontaine Pastelmat Paper, 7" x 9.5"

171. Beach View 2 at Westcliffe-on-Sea

Staedtler 0.05 Pigment Liner,
Tombow brushpens and Derwent Coloursoft Pencils, 

in Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

Second of two sketches done today - the perfect day for a sketch. After we had lunch and had done a couple of walks, I turned 90 degrees clockwise from this morning's view and did this. The 'frame' in these two posts was formed by laying my sketchbook down on the pebbles on the beach.

170. Beach View 1 at Westcliffe-on-Sea

Staedtler 0.05 Pigment Liner,
Tombow brushpen, Neocolour II and Uni Pin 0.5 Fineliner pen

in Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

What a lovely day - fabulous friends, fabulous scenery, fabulous weather. Grateful!! This is sketch number one of two I did earlier today. The tide had gone out and left behind wonderful colours and patterns in the sand. I haven't quite captured the depth though - that is an oil refinery in the background. Why did all the poles have green hats on top?

169. My Friend's Scarf

Faber Castell 1.7 HB pencil on

Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

Our third sketch project is a pile of unfolded laundry; however, that proved tricky so we decided to sketch a pretty, soft scarf instead. Genius Az! 

168. Divalicious!

Copic 0.03 Multiliner pen (over now erased Faber Castell HB pencil) and

Tombow pen on Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5"

She's Divalicious but definitely not a diva, rather the sweetest person! I thoroughly enjoyed doing this and really wanted to get her right not just because she's a wonderful and supremely talented lady but also because she's my friend.