161. Happy Tuesday!

Schmincke Soft Pastels on Clairefontaine Pastelmat Paper, 7" x 9.5"

160. Potential

Derwent Graphic 9B pencil then Staedtler 0.05 Pigment Liner,
Tombow brushpens, Neocolour II and Uni Pin 0.5 Fineliner pen

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

Even the seemingly mundane holds bags of potential. (You can tell my writing as it suddenly takes off uphill - LOL!)  Happy sketching and painting everyone.

Work in progress images…

159. Decaffeinated English

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

in Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5"

A bit too much fiddling with this, methinks! I got caught up in a march by accident and my usual 'haunt' was heaving so I popped into this place and had the loveliest pot of tea.  (Photographed on my phone, rather than my usual camera, so I may re-post.)

158. Sneaky

Pilot G-Tec C4 pen in Notebook

Been in a couple of meetings today but I did manage to sneak this sketch this afternoon by holding my notebook close to my face while everyone was distracted watching a short DVD. It helped that I was farthest from the screen!  :D

157. Ocean Bottle Gift

Faber Castell 0.7 HB pencil then Staedtler 0.05 Pigment Liner,
Tombow brushpens, Neocolour II and Uni Pin 0.5 Fineliner pen

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

Our pre-school children's group made 'ocean bottles' yesterday and I was thrilled to be given one as a gift - it's a fascinating object containing two types of gel, sea creatures, rocks, etc. I should add that the bottles were taped tightly and securely (mine in red). I had to start with pencil as it was a little complex. The WIP images are below.

Thank you Helen and your lovely crew!

I achieve straight lines by running my hand along the edge of the pages using my little finger as a 'clip'. (This only works for me on A4 or smaller sketchbooks.) A tutor once refused to believe that I hadn't used a ruler but it's quite easy once you get the hang of it.

(Move the bulldog clips first though.)

Bubbles, rocks and creatures added.

Pen added with tiny dots to remind me of where the highlights and reflections need to be.

Pencil removed with putty eraser.

Two Tombow brushpens used to add the tonal values.

(Forgot to include the shadows before photographing it.)

Water-soluble wax pastel added.

All done!

156. Cool Dude?

Faber Castell 0.7 HB pencil then

Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.05 pen and Tombow Brushpen (x3)

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

Here he is with tonal values added. Looks quite sombre now but maybe that's right for an iron?

155. A Very Warm Friend

Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.05 pen

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

Unfinished as I have to get to an early meeting. Will add the tonal values this evening; the model promises to stay still.

154. Vits!

Faber Castell 0.7 HB pencil then Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.05 pen,

Tombow Brushpen (x2) and Caran d'Ache Neocolour II

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

Happy Monday!

153. Post-Op Park

Faber Castell 0.7 HB pencil then Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.05 pen,
Tombow Brushpen (x2) and Caran d'Ache Neocolour II
in Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x1.3)

Sometimes you just have to perform surgery on your artwork if it isn't right. You can see from the initial line drawing below how much I sliced off. I'm happier with it now.

Before surgery…

152. Inside the Pink Gallery at the RA Summer Exhibition

Faber Castell 0.7 HB pencil then Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.05 pen,
Tombow Brushpen (x2) and Caran d'Ache Neocolour II
in Handbook Travelogue Journal, 5" x 5" (x2)

Yesterday, inside the Pink Gallery at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. (Academicians' works shown here are by J McFadyen, F Bowling, H Ocean, I McKever, J Camp, T Jaray and Michael Craig-Martin - the Exhibition's Chief Co-ordinator.)

We were allowed to take photographs of most of the exhibition and of course they include lots of people. I was especially intrigued by this dear elderly gentleman standing by these paintings and was compelled to sketch him when I got home.

Thank you so much to my dear friend Azra for inviting me along to this super exhibition and for such a lovely day. Congratulations on the sale of your wonderful painting (and so quickly)!

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.

150. Musician

HB Pencil on A3 Newsprint (folded to A4)

Hi folks.  Here is a bonus sketch for you.  Last night, we had an event at church and I was able to do a couple of sketches. I was looking at the 'neck' of the instrument head on which is why you can't see it and I know I captured this guitarist's stance correctly. However, I knew the facial likeness must be slightly off when, having drawn him, another guitarist said afterwards "Oh, you drew me!" LOL!