Degas & sunflowers

Sunflower 24th September, watercolour

 As a quick interlude in my Brasil posts, here are my sketches and watercolour experiments from this month. The sketches of Degas have been done with a Super5 pen and all have been done in the watercolour Moleskin I got at the recent Urban Sketchers Symposium.

15th September

17th September.

After Paul Heaston. 18th

21st September

27th September

27th September

28th September watercolour

29th Sept. Soluble ink and watercolour experiment I

29th Sept. Soluble ink and watercolour experiment II

 What have you sketched this month? Why don't you leave a comment below? You are welcome to link to a post too.

EDiM Part 2

#19 A rope. Ink in A4 sketchbook.©Sue Pownall 2014

It's May 31st and the end of another Everyday in May daily challenge. I've completed 26 out of the 31 prompts. I've struggled with some especially as I've wanted to do locational drawings for some of them, but the daytime temperatures here have soared to a massive 50°C (122°F). 

Day 19, above, is one of my favourites. It is incomplete as I had almost finished this old, unloved, rope tug, when Degas decided it was the ONLY toy she had to play with. Right is Degas chewing HER rope.

 

This Chinese cloisonné vase came from a weekend in Beijing. The prompt was something bought on a trip, but I didn't actually buy it, as it was a gift at the factory we visited on the way to The Great Wall by a lovely American lady, who said I couldn't leave without it.

#30 Something bought on a trip ©Sue Pownall 2014

Days: 17, 18, 20, 21 attempts 2 & 3, 23, 25, 26, 27, and 31 ©Sue Pownall 2014

Below is day 29's something in my favourite colour. It is easy to guess my favourite colour just by looking at the work over this month. This blue glass is part of a set I received as a secret santa present and is filled with blue & white sea glass collected  from the beach near my house. I had fun with this using Inktense pencils and watercolour.

#29 Something in my favourite colour ©Sue Pownall 2014

Which of my challenge results do you like best? Why not leave a comment below to tell me?

Everyday in May 2014: part 1

#8 Something with a mirror image

 As I mentioned in my 1st May post, I'm participating in the Everyday in May (EDiM) daily challenge, which I first did in 2010. As we are halfway through, and I've only skipped 3 challenges so far, I thought I'd post the drawings to date.

Day 8, something with a mirror image, is one of my favourite so far. Degas often sits on the bed and plans mischief with her evil twin. Yesterday's mischief included chewing on the palm tree in the garden. Ink & watercolour from photo reference in A5 sketchbook.

#15 Biscuit

  Day 15, painted today, is another personal favourite. The prompt was "cookie", which in British English is biscuit. The only biscuits in my house are Degas' and I am pleased with the looseness of this pen & watercolour sketch.

Although Degas is a terrible scavenger - dead fish, fish bones, and chicken being her favourites - she takes her time eating her biscuits. She has a terrible habit of getting a mouthful, carrying them to the lounge and dropping them on the mat. I think she prefers to eat in the same room as me, even though she can see me from the kitchen.

Below are my other drawings to date. As you can see, I've have been experimenting with techniques and materials from the very precise to loose with ink, pencils and/or paint.

Days: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 13,14 & 16

A week of sketches

 First, 23rd April and trying to paint the stormy sunset with Degas on the lead on Qantab beach looking west to the mountains.

Next, 24th April, Sultan Qaboos Highway & Ministries District from NTI building in Al Khuwair. It is unfinished, there are buildings missing in the background, as I had to go to a meeting. 

Then that evening, I drew the peel of an Egyptian clementine.

Finally, today 1st May, and the first of the EDiM (Everyday in May) challenges: a window. This is my kitchen window through the kitchen door.

All in my Stillman & Birn, Gamma series, A5 sketchbook. A free gift at last year's USk Symposium.

If you want to join in EDiM, the facebook group is here.
The flickr group is here.

Catch up: A month of sketches

Degas' headless bear. Inktense pencils. 17th December.

 Whilst I have managed to do some sketching in the run up to my exhibition, I failed to find the time to scan anything. Consequently, I'm writing this long post to catch up on sharing them. They are all from my A5 sketchbook and I seem to be using my Inktense coloured pencils a lot.

Back on the 13th November, The RAF Red Arrows came to Muscat, and I had an invitation to view their display from the Hotel Intercontinental. I took the afternoon off work, and arrived early to avoid the traffic and by coincidence had time to "draw" a cheesecake in their Majlis café, of course I ate it too. The sketch doesn't do it justice - It was yummy.

Red Arrows. Pen & coloured pencil 13/11/13

In the gardens, I sketched some of the spectators prior to the display, which was awesome. I've seen them several times over the years and this display was possibly the best. I added colour (& the planes) later in order to add context for the groups of people.

Inktense pencils 22 Nov.

22nd saw me drawing socks, which I'd put on due to  the heavy rains and drop in temperature. Degas thinks socks are the funniest things and always tries to either remove them and/or chew them whilst they are on my feet.

An action shot of Degas and my sock :(

I am a huge Dr Who fan, so the following day saw me streaming the BBC's 50th Anniversary edition. I had intended to sketch during the programme and drew my laptop/tv connected through the HDMI, doodled some logos before the start and then... got engrossed in the story. Below is the incomplete sketch, again in Inktense pencil and here is a previous Dr Who sketch from March 2012.

Two days later, I had a whole day of presentations to sit through with the day job. I took my sketchbook and pencils and proceeded to sketch throughout the day. Here are some of the pages I did complete with my notes.

 

 

On the 11th December, being 11.12.13 for us with UK date system, I had to draw soemthing. I looked around and saw this shell, which Degas had left in the lounge.

Degas's shell. Pencil

 Finally, the bear at the top of this post was sketched on the 17th. Degas loves soft toys, especially destuffing them. The bear caught my eye when she left it face down, so I had to draw it. If you want to see beautiful bear paintings, please check out my friend Sandra Busby's amazing paintings here: sketch-mad.com.

So that's it, a month of sketches.

 

Degas and I wish you all a Merry Christmas. 
Sue

Boxes beware

Degas likes chewing boxes! 

I left this one too close to the side of the worktop after I removed a sachet, which was luckily the last one in the box. I have suffered from cold/flu type symptoms all week, hence the Lemsip. Degas chewed the box then went to sleep with it between her paws. I'm supposed to be working on drawings for my exhibition, but this sketch is all I've managed today.

Do you have the same problem? Why not leave a comment telling me what your pet does? Or the sketches you do of them.

Celebrating my sale.

Propping up the bar. A6 sketchbook. Pen & ink. © Sue Pownall 2011

To celebrate the purchase of my latest finished piece (see this post if you missed the news) and collect the money from the buyer, 3 of us arranged to meet in our favourite bar. The others were delayed due to meetings, so whilst I sipped my drink slowly and waited, I did these sketches.

Friends. A6 sketchbook. Pen & ink. © Sue Pownall 2011

Roses on the table. A6 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

The vase of roses also count as my first Everyday Matters challenges in a while: No. 76 draw some flowers with No.293 draw something made of glass.

Rubbish

Rubbish, Pen & watercolour, A5 sketchbook ©Sue Pownall 2011

Those of you who read the last post know I hadn't been to the supermarket when I found a piece of xmas cake to satisfy the munchies. Dinner was another matter and ended up with a walk to the nearest take-away. This evening, standing in the kitchen making a cuppa, I was reminded of the Urban Sketchers theme for last week - Trash cans. I don't have a rubbish bin in my flat and instead reuse plastic bags hanging on the kitchen cupboards; glinting at the top was my takeaway container. Before you get angry, there is not recycling here in Qatar, otherwise I would separate my rubbish.

EDM 169 - Draw a piece of cake

Individual Xmas cake. A5 Sketchbook ©Sue Pownall 2011

I knew I needed to go to the supermarket, but yesterday afternoon found me searching the cupboards for something to eat. Hidden behind some T-bags I found this individual xmas cake, which a friend gave me. So I took it out of its box and drew it whilst sipping my cooling tea. I then ate the icing, but not the marzipan as I don't like almonds, and drew the top picture. Finally, I took a bite and used my watercolours in the last sketch of the page.

Please excuse the quality, I do not have a scanner here and for some reason I cannot get rid of the blue cast on the paper and get the cake colours correct, it's a warmer brown.

Art based resolutions reviewed and revised for 2011

Blue doors, Souq Waqif. Pen & Watercolour A5 ©Sue Pownall 2010

I had a few loose art-based resolutions for 2010 and looking at people's review of goals and non-goals I found it hard to decide whether to write more specific goals or to go for new loose ones. I do need some sort of direction, however all I knew was that my art is to be my priority in the new year. Maybe that's enough?!

Fiat Plant Sketch.Pen & ink A5 ©Sue Pownall 2010

So my 2010's art-based resolutions were:

1. To manage my time better and not spend creative time on the internet.

Khalifa's House Gate, Omdurman.Pen & ink 400x200mm  ©Sue Pownall 2010.

hmm failed on the cutting internet time, in fact it probably increased as the art community I follow increased. Furthermore, it has actually proved to provide inspiration from websites like the Urban Sketchers on flickr with their weekly sketching theme, Virtual Paintout with a monthly place to paint, Illustration Friday another weekly theme, EDM with it's fabulous community and weekly challenges, all found online. Maybe not such a bad thing IF the themes and challenges are taken up? 

15th Street Mosque, Khartoum.Pen & ink  400x200mm ©Sue Pownall 2010.

2. To do what I love, concentrating on my pen & ink work.

I was very successful in doing this, especially as I even had 3 drawings hung in an exhibition.

Monarch Butterfly.Pen & ink  100x100mm ©Sue Pownall 2010

3. To do lots more quick, immediate sketching.

I sketched so much that I have been listed in the Directory as a sketchbook artist.

Sketch: My foot, May.Pen & ink A5 ©Sue Pownall 2010.

2010

Over and above these very loose goals I achieved so much more. I have developed a community of artist friends, both online and face-to-face, which has helped keep me motivated and provided inspiration. Furthermore, I have had the pleasure of meeting up and sketching with several fabulous artists and this is something I wish to do more of in the future. 

To improve my drawing skills, I continued attending life-drawing classes whenever I had the opportunity, and had great fun at the Dr Sketchy's event in London, even though my results weren't so great. I also attended the Ken Kempley watercolour workshop, which was great fun and I hope to repeat it in the summer.  

My passion for my art has been reignited since I started this blog in Sept 09, but mainly throughout 2010, so much so that I do not leave the house without a sketchbook and pen, although it is used only a few times a week. I also always carry a camera to snap shots of potential subjects.

Marsh dawn. Watercolour A4 ©Sue Pownall 2010

 2011

As I said at the beginning of this post my priority this year is my art. Yesterday, coming across Chris Brogan and his My 3 words for 2011, this is basically 3 words on which you pin your goals, I found it easy to think of my three words: focus, creativity, happiness. So with possibility of changes I think this year's art resolutions are:

1. To focus my life, my thoughts, my dreams on my art and market myself as much as I can. (You may have noticed the change from blogging and commenting using travelingsuep to my full name, which is the first step I have made.) I will be setting up a facebook page this week to get my finished work out there, but I will  continue to blog and post my sketches here as normal. 

I am thinking about printing postcards and/or gift cards - several people have commented on the blue doors at the top of this post. I have already started carrying photos of my work to hand out or show when opportunities arise. 

Finally, I may develop and deliver some workshops as pen & ink is a skill that is not often addressed on courses.

2. As last year, my creative outlet will remain pen & ink as well as regular sketching. I plan for a minimum of 1 finished piece a month (SMART goal as any more would be unrealistic) ready to try to get hung in a gallery or exhibition and to update the facebook page.

3. Happiness will come from following my dreams and continuing to interact with wonderful artistic people. 

Thank you to all of you who follow my work, take the time to comment, and who have encouraged and inspired me throughout 2010.

EDM 301 - Draw something cute

Isabelle's cat
Originally uploaded by travelingsuep

Sketched whilst staying with Isabelle in Muscat last weekend, Tom is certainly something cute.

Pen & watercolour in A5 Daler sketchbook.

Improvisation

Brown pen in WHITE A5 sketchbook .

I have only drawn once since I arrived in Doha. This is due to tiredness. I get up for work at 5.15am to be collected at 6 and return around 3pm. After a late lunch and maybe a nap, by 5.30pm it is then dark but still too hot to wander about drawing. Last weekend was spent trying to catch up on sleep, sort accommodation etc.

My contract provides fully-furnished accommodation here in Doha, but it does not have a clothes drier. A little improvisation with a mop and 2 chairs enabled me to dry my shirts and towels. I thought the shapes it made were interesting, as opposed to the rest of the flat, which could be anywhere in the world.

Today, Friday, is the first day of the weekend and after an early night I am shortly to head out with my sketch book although I may head inside quickly as the temperature is already in the 30s and it's not even 8am.

1st Blogoversary - reflections on a year

Image from: thekittykrew.blogspot.com

Infinite, Illustration Friday, Sept '09

I started this blog a year ago today. Some things have changed since then and some have stayed the same. I no longer post "proper" photos here, other than to illustrate an event, they are now only on the pownallchronicles or uploaded to flickr. The notable exception is my Khartoum photos in my post Escorted by the police. However, there remains a mix of  finished pieces, such as those produced for Illustration Friday and the challenge Every Day in May (EDiM), and sketchbook work.

When I started this blog a year ago I wrote:

"Some people join a gym in order to get fitter, so I've joined a couple of websites to both draw more, and hopefully improve my drawing. Unlike joining a gym, I intend to stick to my minimum twice monthly resolution to draw. Famous last words they may be, but time will tell."

1st EDM 5th Feb 2010

Twice a month???? What was I thinking? This is my 165th post containing far more than that number of pictures.!

The reason for the blog was to motivate myself to draw more having neglected my art for years, except for the odd sketch or two on holiday, the number of posts shows it has done that, but it has done far more. Most importantly, through this blog I have become part of wonderful supportive art communities like Everyday Matters with their yahoo group and flickr, the amazing Urban Sketchers ( blog & flickr), and the sketchcrawlers (site). I have found the wonderful people in these group, and others who follow my blog, have provided support, inspiration, and ideas through their comments, blogs, and discussions. THANK YOU ALL.  

My 2nd sketchcrawl, Nov '09

Oman, Nov 2009

Furthermore, I have had a couple of opportunities to meet up with fellow artist-bloggers, plus had a reunion with some friends I went to college with. What a fabulous unexpected consequence of blogging. 

Me, Australia May 1990!

Finally, due to the wonderful comments I have received throughout the year, I am seriously relooking at my art, re-evaluating what I want to do, and how I want to do it.