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'.)

263. Monster Mango Sketch

 

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen on re-cased Seawhite sketchbook, 7.5" x 7.5"

Only time for a ten-minute sketch; no time to add colour; will finish later. Err… it really was this big and we were all able to enjoy a yummy piece!

(Day 13 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.

258. Welcome to Jamaica!

Winsor & Newton watercolours and Lamy Safari fountain pen on

Daler Rowney Mixed Media spiral sketchpad, A3

Thank God for Leslie Saeta's '30 in 30' coming round again! (Day 3)

I've been in Jamaica clearing my parents' house and putting it on the market. Only time for one piece of art (I'll post it in a few days) while I was there as we worked almost non-stop all day. This was the lovely 747 that took me there - 'Hot Lips'! (I came home on 'English Rose'.)

Painted first then fountain pen added.

NB. My apologies for the lack of artwork since May. I have quite a few sketches to post, done during that time (including some in Manchester where the Urban Sketchers Symposium was being held). I'm slowly getting around to photographing them and will backdate them so everything is eventually in the correct order.

Happy painting everyone!

257. Gift Sketchbook for CM

Hardbound, handmade Sketchbook, 5.5" x 5.5"

We're going to Jamaica! My niece's best friend told me that when my niece has nothing to draw on she draws on her hand. I knew then what to take for her. This one is bound with Japanese silk, Gamma purple bookcloth and Japanese 'wove' decorative paper.

The greatest thing about being able to make a gift for someone is that not only is it unique but it's also from the heart.

256. Manchester Art and Jazz - Business Cards and an Interesting Encounter

Business Cards from three of the many interesting people we met

What's the odds of meeting someone in Manchester, from Hong Kong, currently living in Texas, and who had been taught bookbinding in London by the same teacher as me? Small world!

Didn't get around either to riding or sketching a tram so a photo will have to suffice.

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!