Friday, August 5, 2011

Sketchday II

Monks' garden. Pen & watercolour, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011
Last September, Sandra of Sandraws came up to Colchester for a sketchday and we arranged to do it again this year. Coincidently, last Saturday, John of JWJarts wrote about sketching in public and our sketchday:
"I have been inspired entirely by my blogger friends... The first urges to try it myself came from Sandra Busby's account of her day with Sue Pownall and I can imagine how wonderful that must have been."
That post is here if you missed what helped to inspire John.
Michelham Priory in the rain. © Sue Pownall 2011
Yesterday, I drove down to Sandra's in Sussex for our second sketchday and we were joined by the artist Kerry (her website). Despite the appalling English summer weather we had a fabulous time drawing at Michelham Priory, although we were disappointed we didn't see or feel any of the ghosts!
Entrance. Pen & ink, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011
After walking around the Priory, we scattered to draw different things. Kerry stopped in the Tudor extension whilst Sandra and I both chose the original entrance to the Priory as our first sketches. It was a challenge as people kept standing in front of us and blocked our view, which is when I quickly sketched the gardener.
Gardener. Pen & ink, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011
Next, I sketched in the old forge. The grounds of the priory were magnificent and it was frustrating to have to be inside due to the rain. Luckily, by 2.45pm it stopped enough so that our last drawing of the day was outside. I chose the wild flower monks garden, which was planted next to the oldest part of the building.
Old Forge, pen & Payne's grey, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011
All too soon it was time for me to leave, but it was a fabulous day and I can't wait for Sketchday III.

For all my sketches I used an A5 sketchbook, which I bought at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, but although the paper is smooth it soaked up my ink and didn't like watercolour. It's a shame as it has got a lovely cover.