IF: Toy (attempt 1)

Watersoluble ink on A5 paper.

The Illustration Friday prompt for this week is Toy. 

Here is a drawing of my dog's chewed toy squirrel. What do you think?

IF: Tree

The President's Tree, pen & ink, 160 x 230mm © Sue Pownall 2011

This week's topic for Illustration Friday is tree and I thought I would share this old drawing from 2011. Limited edition giclée prints are available through my website shop and would make a great Christmas gift. 

My shop is here.

There was a crooked man (IF crooked)

Crooked Stile: A study. 18x18cm ©Sue Pownall 2012

The theme for Illustration Friday was Crooked. Luckily for me although here in Muscat it is Friday, and a new theme is due, it's still Thursday in USA and I can post this last minute submission. I was thinking of using Cathy's idea of a crooked tree (see her lovely entry here) when I remembered this poem and I produced this drawing. The stile is actually an element in a idea for a drawing I've been toying with for a couple of years, so maybe now I will start on it.

There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse.
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

“The origin of the nursery rhyme "There was a crooked man" is in British history. The origin of this poem originates from the English Stuart history of King Charles 1. The crooked man is reputed to be the Scottish General Sir Alexander Leslie. The General signed a covenant securing religious and political freedom for Scotland. The 'crooked stile' referred to… being the border between England and Scotland. 'They all lived together in a little crooked house' refers to the fact that the English and Scots had at last come to an agreement. The words reflect the times when there was great animosity between the English and the Scots.” (Source: http://www.rhymes.org.uk)

Illustration Friday: Refresh

Refresh Pen & Ink 160x160mm. © Sue Pownall 2012

I have been remiss with keeping up with Illustration Friday. The weekly challenges are a great way to stretch my illustration skills and show some of my other styles. This week the site was relaunched with a gorgeous new look and the theme Refresh, so I thought it was a good time to start participating again.

I had the idea of this abstracted slept-in bed after a bout of insomnia. I didn't wake up refreshed, but I was inspired to draw the resulting chaos.

IF Shadows

Self-portrait: Pain. Watercolour 240 x 320mm. ©Sue Pownall

When I received this week's Illustration Friday prompt of shadows, I knew instantly what I wanted to do: this self-portrait. It is how I have felt for months now as I live with the shadows of constant headaches and pain, which I have recently found out is due to cervical spondylosis trapping nerves.

btw this portrait is also for Mimi of  mimitabby.com  who suggested I paint a portrait a while ago. I'm not sure this is what she expected. 

btw2 I cannot get a better photo of the painting. It is actually darker in the hair and the shadows, which are Payne's Grey and the paper is white.

IF Duet

End of a cycle. Pen & watercolour 190 x 130 mm. ©Sue Pownall 2011

I know, I know, you are wondering how I got from this week's Illustration Friday prompt of duet to an illustration of dead roses. Well, the thought process went something like this...

Duet - oh cool - music, singers, dancers, flamenco, er.... pause. Then I saw Susan Sorrell Hill's duet entry where she wrote about renewal, spring, cycle of life. Here we don't get the obvious signs of spring, and my thoughts went to the end of the cycle - death, dying, dead flowers.

Perfectly sensible entry now that's clear, isn't it?

I apologise for the blueish cast, I can't get the colour correction right.

IF Toy

Bear on a chair. Pen & ink. A5 sketchbook ©Sue Pownall 2010

I'm reposting a drawing from last summer for this week's Illustration Friday as it is one of my favourite drawings I have done.

IF Sweater

Sweater II. W&N Calligraphy ink on drawing paper. 290 x 210mm. ©Sue Pownall 2011

After giving myself a headache with the joint concentration of finishing a pen and ink drawing and using new glasses, which are too strong, I thought I would have some fun. I have an idea for a drawing, which needs some blue ink, so after buying the blue I wanted plus some yellow, I sat down to draw my discarded jumper (UK for sweater). For the first version I drew directly on watercolour paper with an ink pen. Then I used a brush to slosh the coloured inks on mixing on the paper. I wasn't sure I liked how the paper soaked up the ink, so I did version 2 without any pre-drawing on smooth drawing paper.

Sweater I. W&N Calligraphy ink on watercolour paper. 290 x 210mm. ©Sue Pownall 2011

 In case you can't recognise it as a sweater, here is a photo.

I'm not sure which version I prefer, so I posted them both. What do you think?

IF Surrender

Surrender. Watercolour 240 x 320 mm. ©Sue Pownall 2011

Sometimes we have to surrender ourselves to the reality of life, that responsibilities occasionally stop us doing exactly what we would like to, when we want to. This IF prompt came on Friday whilst I was in the turmoil of trying to decide if I could take a job, which is nearer to where I want to be, mentally & spiritually, but had to resign myself to the fact that the next move/change would have to wait awhile yet.

Usually as a realist, I struggle with a theme like this, with my head filling with obvious images such as soldiers with their hands up surrendering to the other side etc., but this image was there instantly including how to illustrate it. Whilst I am surrendering to the inevitability of life's constraints which are out of my control, which feels like sinking beneath the sea, I can release my creative side to produce this loose, inaccurate colour painting as I break loose of my normal precise line drawings. Freedom.

30th Worldwide SketchCrawl

Demolition. Pen & watercolour sketch A5. ©Sue Pownall 2011

Despite advertising on various forums, there were no sketch buddies for me this sketchcrawl Saturday. On top of that, I am waiting for an important skype call, so didn't like to go far from my computer. Motivation was there yesterday when I met two architects for coffee and sketching, but they didn't bring sketchbooks, so we just chatted, which was very disappointing. Consequently, this morning I wasn't very motivated.

I keep thinking I should sketch around my area, but haven't as it's not inspiring me, so at 9.30 this morning I headed out to rectify this and find something to sketch. I took some photos of the reflections in the puddles and found a shop to sketch, but couldn't find a place to stand. Then I discovered the shoe repair stand, which I had thought might be interesting, was closed. Not a good start. However, just around the corner I saw a Cat demolishing a building from on top of a pile of debris and decided to do that. The noise was incredible and as the dust got too much I took the photo (left), which you can only just see the Cat if you squint into the dust, and headed off. Walking around the construction noise everywhere was incredible, so I gave up and went home to add the colour there.

Balloons at the mall. Pen & watercolour sketch. A5 ©Sue Pownall 2011

Later, taking my sketchbook, I went shopping (so my cupboards are finally full again). Having filled my trolley, I sat down at a café to sketch the colourful helium balloons floating up between the escalators from a stall on the floor below. This time I painted on-site as it was relatively peaceful. I was tempted to buy myself a blue penguin balloon, but resisted.

After being home a few hours, I am still waiting for the phone call, so I don't know if I will sketch anything else today. If you want to see the amazing work of sketchers around the world check out the SketchCrawl and Urban sketchers sites.

EDIT: Illustration Friday prompt for Friday 21st was Dust, which I could not think of anything for. Susan Sorrell Hill pointed out that my Cat sketch was perfect for the theme and asked "Maybe you did that unconsciously???". Perhaps I did.

IF - Chicken

Shropshire Hen House. Pen &  ink. 245x165mm. ©Sue Pownall 2011

This week's Illustration Friday prompt was Chicken. I was inspired by the quote that came with the prompt:

"Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral." Frank Lloyd Wright.

Instantly, I knew I wanted to draw an old hen house and I found the prefect reference photo on flickr taken by Dick Warren. If you check it out, you will see that I have changed the left wall, which was corrugated iron like the roof, and altered it slightly to make a better composition.

Next Saturday 22nd January is the 30th Worldwide SketchCrawl and will be the 3rd in Doha. Anyone out there who wants to join me, please email me and we can arrange to meet.

Finally, a BIG THANK YOU to all my followers; artofanomad reached 100 this week. My new facebook business page has already reached 43 likes, which is tremendous in the 2 weeks since I set it up.

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.

1.1.11

Illustration Friday: Resolution. Pen & Ink 120x120mm

Yesterday's prompt for Illustration Friday was Resolution; very apt for the New Year. Whilst, I personally do not eat burgers many people today will resolve to give up fast food, eat healthily etc. However, the majority of people break their resolutions swiftly.

My art-based resolutions made last year were all more or less achieved (I failed partially on wasting time on the internet) and have not written this year's yet, although I know I want to prioritise my art above everything else. As this first illustration of the year has been completed before breakfast (looking at burgers 1st thing even though it was a photo - ugh ) I think I'm off to a good start.

Happy 2011, may it bring you peace & happiness.

 Finally, to quote urban sketcher Paul Wang 

"Laugh lots and sketch more"

Merry Christmas

Bethlehem Star 130x130mm

Prompted by the Illustration Friday theme of Phenomenon (9th December), I thought it appropriate for the time of year to draw the celestial phenomenon of the Bethlehem star. Like the Magi, who arrived on 12th night (Epiphany), I thought I would finish this about then, after all, who draws a night sky with a 0.1 pen?? I was attempting a woodcut effect when I started, but it seems to have morphed, and yes I did end up using a 0.3 and 0.5 pen as well. This is the first time ever that I have drawn a Christmas illustration, so all I have to do is get it scanned properly and I have next year's cards! The reference photo was from a brilliant photo by Gary, which you can see here.

Merry Christmas everyone.

May God bless you and your family.

100th Post!!!! IF - Cocoon

When I started this blog in September I never imagined that I would reach 100 posts so quickly. What shall I do to celebrate... Hmm  guess I should draw something for today's EDiM. In the meantime, here is my picture for Illustration Friday.

Despite the challenging quote provided with this week's topic, I thought I would stick with a traditional cocoon image, which matches my drawing style. This is the quote:

A child-like man is not a man whose development has been arrested; on the contrary, he is a man who has given himself a chance of continuing to develop long after most adults have muffled themselves in the cocoon of middle-aged habit and convention. ~ Aldous Huxley

The other reason is that I have neglected one of my art-based resolutions for this year which was:  

"Do what I love ...I would like to focus on getting better at... pen & ink".

I found the great reference photo of a Monarch Butterfly on: www.worldofstock.com

IF - Ahead

 I always think a sunrise not only heralds a new day, 

but brings the promise of unknown possibilities ahead.

Watercolour  on W&N Cotman 300gsm 200x125mm

IF - Detective

 I haven't participated in Illustration Friday for awhile, but thought this week's theme sounded fun. Using my old watercolour pad, which I discovered on Thursday has deteriorated, I thought it could produce any interesting fog-like atmospheric background. I've ended up with quite a naive painting I think, but as I had fun doing it I thought I would post it regardless.

Although I am sure the Guy Richie / Robert Downey, Jr. version is great (I haven't had the opportunity to see it yet), I wanted a more traditional image of Britain's most famous detective. I found my reference photo on the Private Investigators forum. Can you believe there is such a thing?

IF - Adrift

This painting is an experiement with watercolour & ink. 

It was inspired by a photo I was emailed recently.

J - I am adrift without your love. This picture and poem are for you.

Si Tu Me Olvidas / If You Forget Me  

by Pablo Neruda

 I want you to know
one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists:
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine. 

If you want to hear this poem on YouTube: Madonna reads Neruda

IF - muddy

Cygnus atratus

 Illustration Friday's theme of muddy provides the perfect excuse to draw a muddy duck a.k.a. a swan.

I found this quite difficult, not because of the subject matter, but because I have been drawing larger these last few months. Last week, I bought a pad of A4 paper for line work because I am not sure how long I am staying in Turin, and do not want to pay shipping cost through accumulating lots of art equipment. False economy, as I will buy a bigger pad this week, and so have two new pads. Although, considering the amount of ink needed for this size it may have been a good thing. What's more, I did a lovely loose initial sketch, but as soon as picked up my pen I got all precious and tight. Aaaargh

My reference came from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) who are a UK conservation organisation saving wetlands for wildlife and people across the world. Check out their website. As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity this could be one way you can help.

I will be auctioning this picture for charity... please keep an eye on this blog for details soon.

IF - Focus

 

For this week's Illustration Friday's theme of focus, I should have focused more on my initial drawing as the top part is wrong. Like a good craftsman, I shall also blame my tools for the poor quality of my first contribution of 2010 to Illustration Friday: I do not have my usual paper here in Italy and this one soaked up the ink too much. 

I am posting the illustration to remind myself that the initial drawing is all important, along with the right paper, but also I need to focus and practice pen & ink, which is my favourite medium to draw in.