Cargo ships

Cargo ships, Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
Originally uploaded by travelingsuep

As last month, I thought I would draw the port from across the harbour, and as last month, a tug came along and took my subject away. Third time lucky?

IF - Fast

Whilst in South Africa last winter, I visited a Zulu village, and was lucky enough to watch a  display of the traditional dancing. One dancer moved so fast he was a blur on the photo. When I saw the photo, along with the excitement of the dancing, I knew I had to paint him; it's just took Illustration Friday to set this theme to push me into finally doing it. Unfortunately, as the painting is bigger than my scanner, the colours seem to have been distorted by my camera. The photo on the right, is of one of the other dancers caught in action.

Photohunt: Tied

This week theme is tied.

This was a picture taken in Trafalgar Square during the Olympics 2008.

On the screen are 3 athletes, who were tied at that point of the race.

I know it's stretching the theme, but it is an interesting pic.

Exam time, IMCO

Exam time, International Maritime College Oman
Originally uploaded by travelingsuep

Yesterday, I had to invigilate an exam and whilst watching over the students took a few minutes to produce this sketch. I'm not sure if sketching is against invigilation rules, for example we can't read, but as I was still watching the students... Who know's?

Valcamonica rock art lecture

Last night I attended a lecture on the rock art of Valcamonica hosted by the Historical Association Oman. Being inspired by several Urban Sketchers I took out my sketchbook. Unfortunately, for my sketching, the lecture was interesting so I only did these few pages of the presenter and audience.

Photohunt: Free week.

This was hard to post today, as I have so many photos. Finally I decided that as I'm leaving Oman in 7 weeks, it should be a picture from here. The children are such characters and I think this captures their spirit and independence.

IF - Flying

A pencil sketch of a sulphur-crested cockatoo; the starting point for Illustration Friday's flying theme. I'm not sure when/if it will get finished.

Reading corner

This sketch was done yesterday, whilst there was nothing on the tv.

Photohunt: Sports

Spectators at Saham camel races, Oman, January 2009.

Illustration Friday - Germs

Germ: noun

1. A minute organism usually producing disease: bug, microbe, microorganism.
2. A source of further growth and development: bud, embryo, kernel, nucleus, seed, spark. 

Finally, I drew something! As the theme is "germs", I thought I would emphasise the seed, in this case an acorn, and leave the growth blank. What do you think???

Uninspired

I've been struggling this week. I have an idea for Monday Artday's theme , but as yet have not done anything other than a couple of pencil lines. Whereas,  on Illustration Friday  last week's theme was pattern, which didn't do anything for me, nor this week's which is germs. I have 3 days to do a germ pic, and no ideas ho hum.

This weekend, I did one very quick sketch in Darcy's restaurant (MQ), whilst waiting for a friend to join me for lunch. Initially I sat down with a good view of a group of Omanis, got settled with a drink and... they left. So, I did this quick sketch of the waiter.

To end on a positive note, I started this blog a month ago and I have done far more drawings than I expected. I have even done a few paintings, so maybe whilst I haven't felt inspired these last few days, I'm doing ok.

Photohunt: Words

Couldn't resit using this pic I took in Rome this summer.

Urban Sketcher - a member!

You may have noticed the new box on the right, which says I am officially a member of the Urban Sketchers. I've just been approved. Check out their fab website by clicking the box on this link. Or the members pictures, including mine, which are on flickr here. It was interesting to not only see my name on their blog, but my latest sketch in their flickr slide-show. I just had to screen-capture them.