A few from February

Inktense pencil in A5 sketchbook

 As well as sketching at the karting event, I have managed to do a few other sketches this month.

First up, some sketches of Pound, who I was dogsitting for the weekend and sits stiller than Degas, but not much. 

Then a rainday watercolour when we had torrential rain here in Oman. I tried to capture the atmosphere in this quick sketch (that took ages to dry). I was helped by Degas with the finishing touches - a muddy nose print. There are some photos at the end of this post.

Rain day.

 Finally, I used Inktense pencils and water, to try to capture the shape of a shell I found on the beach (top). Strangly, it reminds me a seaglass in the way the rest of the shell has been worn away.

Under all this is the road to the beach.

Soggy Degas using her ears as umbrellas

View from the beach

A lull in the storms.

Karting

Pencil & watercolour in A4 Daler sketchbook.

Last week, I felt excited at an opportunity to sketch somewhere new and in the day-job's time...

....at a team building karting event.

I was there to support (aka chaperone) the only female trainee at the event.

Steve spectating before his race. Ink & watercolour in A4

The photo proof of sketching trackside :)

Where have you sketched in work's time? Why not tell me in a comment below?

In a hole with London Urban Sketchers

l-r Nathan, Evelyn, myself, & James

What seems like years ago, but was in fact only mid-January, I had the pleasure of meeting some of the London UrbanSketchers for a drink and draw session. James Hobbs, who I met at the Sketching Jack's London event last summer (my blog post's here), chose and arranged for us to meet in The Coal Hole on London's Strand, along with Nathan Brenville and Evelyn Rowland.

Nathan

James using his trademark large marker.

Due to having traveled up to London straight from seeing dad in hospital, my concentration/will to sketch wasn't too high, though I loved chatting to the others. I sometimes think that's the best part of the sketchy gatherings, that and seeing what equipment the others are using. I drew some portraits as a warm-up then drew this couple standing by the bar. I spotted they had a whole bottle of wine, so guessed they would stay there a while, which they did.

Pen & watercolour in A5 sketchbook

Capturing memories.

Dad & I Figueres 2012

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE & WEEP
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
(Anon) 

Pencil in A5 sketchbook.

On January 12th I flew to UK and on arrival discovered that dad was in hospital. When I got to the ward in the afternoon he was unconscious and never regained consciousness. He died peacefully ten days later.
From the 23rd, whilst staying in his house, I found comfort through sketching. I tried to record details of dad that would be lost in a photo, but are the little things that show his everyday life.

Dad stopped smoking when he was 60, but kept the ashtray as it was given to him by his mother-in-law (my nan). Unlike the stereotype, they had a very good relationship.

I never understood how dad could get his dictionaries and encyclopedias in such a tatty condition. I guess putting them back to front on the shelf didn't help.

When I went to the hospital for the doctor's certificate, I was given dad's things. The following day, I drew his wedding ring, watch and glasses before giving them to mum.

Then, I drew his cufflink box, which contained another watch, minus strap, and his hearing aid - I'd wondered where it was.

Dad loved hats, and throughout the house there are caps, trilbies, straw hats and others. I struggled to sketch over the days after his funeral and this hasn't come out as I wanted, the cold hallway didn't help, but it does show some of dad's many hats.

An in situ shot.

Dad & I in Barcelona 2012

 Rest in Peace dad. Christopher Pownall 1.1.1931 - 22.1.2014