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.)

271. Smashing!

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen, Derwent Coloursoft pencils and

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

We had a garage sale at my late parents' house when I was in Jamaica and this set was part of it. Unfortunately, someone dropped and smashed the gravy boat which was sad because we'd had it in our family since I was little. Losing it drove home the fact that, at the end of the day, these are just things; nothing could take away the love of my parents and all our lovely memories.

For a change, I tried to start out with a pencil but very soon realised that nowadays I just prefer to go straight in with pen and ink.

Again, thank you for your lovely comments - today I'll be replying and catching up with your blogposts too. Happy art-making everyone!

(Day 22 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30'.)

270. Test Colour Sketch

Derwent Coloursoft Pencils, Faber Castell brushpen and

Pentel Hybrid Gel Grip on photocopy of sketchbook drawing

Thinking about this before actually committing to my sketchbook. I think the foreground green is a little intense but, apart from that, I'll probably go for it!

(Day 21 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30'.)

265. Not Boring!

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen and Derwent Coloursoft pencils in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5"

My cousins and their cook took delight in creating a series of wonderfully tasty vegetarian 'clean eating' meals for me while I was there clearing my parents' house. They and some of their friends were also an invaluable help in the process. As always, they took great care of me, again making me feel so welcome and not once made me feel a nuisance (that I probably am!). I'm so privileged and honoured to have such lovely people in my life. This particular meal proved that tofu does not have to be boring!

Made a bit of a 'Horlicks' of the glass (below) - yuk! I've now gessoed over it - the paper buckled a bit (amended version above).

Happy art-making everyone and thank you for your lovely comments that keep appearing.

(Day 15 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30'.)

264. Monster Mango and Green Tea - Coloured

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen and Derwent Coloursoft pencils in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5"

Colour added yesterday evening.

Of the many benefits in doing Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30' challenge twice a year, one is discovering new artists and catching up with other fellow artists on the challenge. I love leaving and receiving comments and seeing the encouraging comments left on other blogs.

Another benefit is that I am forced to do more art than I would otherwise have done and sometimes to work more quickly - yesterday, for example, I could only create and post a quick ten minute sketch as I had to go to a meeting. Had the challenge not been on, I would simply have gone off to my meeting, art materials enjoying a lie in! Thank you Leslie and thank you to my fellow '30 in 30' challengers.

(Day 14 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'.)

261. Jamaican Patty

Brown Pilot G-Tec C4 pen and Derwent Coloursoft pencils

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

The dot on top of the patty indicates that it is vegetarian, containing either soy or vegetable. Jamaican patties are the colour of saffron. My cousins found it highly amusing that I ate mine with a knife and fork; seems as though it was similar to eating a portion of chips (fries) with a knife and fork. Hmmm, I don't eat chips but if I did…

PS. This is my entry for Day 11 of Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30' Challenge.

260. Electrolyte Refreshment

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen and Coloursoft Pencils in

re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5"

On quite a few occasions, I was presented with one of these. Coconut water is low in calories and is one of the richest sources of natural electrolytes; they also contain sodium and potassium. These were perfect in the 40C heat that we were working in during the day - even the nights didn't drop below 30C!

Sip, draw, sip, draw… yum!

The pen and ink drawing before adding colour.

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.

235. Pink Tulips

Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Pilot G-tec C4 pen

on Fabriano watercolour paper 

in a Sketchbook that I stitched and bound 5.5" x 5.5" (x2)

This sketchbook is covered with bookcloth I made from the same blue fabric I used for my tote/sketching bag (post number 127, April 2015). It started as a pen and ink doodle and grew from there. (Glad I started it sideways!)

233. Goodbye Gelato Heaven!

Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and Pilot G-tec C4 pen in

Stillman & Birn Epsilon sketchbook, 8.5" x 5.5"

Gelato Heaven will be closing for good tomorrow :((  Where else would you be given a container of water by the staff each week so that you can sketch and use your watercolours?! Thank you lovely Gelato staff! Very sad!

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!)

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.

151. John Constable's House, Hampstead

Faber Castell 0.7 HB pencil then Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.05 pen,
Tombow Brushpen and two Derwent Coloursoft Pencils in

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

This sketch was done at the Sketchcrawl on Saturday in pencil at the scene then I went over it in pen at home. I got the idea of only adding colour to the door and the blue plaque from another sketcher there on the day who did a beautiful pen and ink drawing of the house. There are so many benefits to be had from creating alongside others - especially such seasoned artists, one of which is learning new ideas and techniques that can be used to enhance and progress your existing style.

Below is what I finished on the day:

The drawing was accurate at this stage (although I've moved the right-hand pillar slightly to the left) but what a difference the tonal values make! I love pen and ink.

107. After Paul Cezanne: Sketchbook Study of Still Life with Apples (1890)

(After Paul Cezanne)

Derwent Onyx Medium Pencil and Derwent Coloursoft Pencils, (A3) in A4 Sketchbook

This is my colour study for yet another Cezanne painting; can't resist his work!  I'll post up the finished painting tomorrow.  Happy creating everyone!

88. Gallery Sketches: Trek

Sketch of Jan Jansz Trek's Vanitas Still Life, 1648

I was looking forward to doing this painting as it looked to be a real challenge and a Vanitas painting is always so full of meaning. As it turns out, I felt the need to add some colour to it once I got home because there was so much detail, some of the elements were becoming lost. 

Jan Jansz Trek's Vanitas Still Life, 1648

85. Drop-in Drawing: Armour

(After Sir Anthony van Dyck.)  Derwent Coloursoft on pastel paper, A4

On the left is a photocopy of 

Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1593-1641)

Studio of Sir Anthony van Dyck

A lot of people attended this event, including quite a few students and we spilled out over three rooms. A very enthusiastic and knowledgable tutor from New Zealand led us, together with other assistants from the gallery. She explained that, at the time, armour was more fashion than function and was very comfortable. People could also tell how wealthy the wearer was by the style and decoration. 

She told us to walk around and choose one of the many paintings by van Dyck depicting armour then collect some coloured paper and try to reproduce that armour. Some people also drew some of the high fashion seen in paintings of men and women in the surrounding rooms. I used my own pencils but had no coloured paper so used theirs.

My experience is that artists are very friendly people and this was no exception. These meets are a great way to work alongside and get to know a little about other artists (of all ages and abilities) as art can otherwise be a lonely business.