Titleless

Whilst my sketching mojo has made a small comeback this week, I seem to have lost my words, hence the non-title of this post.

On Monday, I had 20 minutes to have a cuppa before a meeting in Somerset House. I sat on the terrace and had to sketch my view of the London Eye.

On Wednesday, I had to go to Maldon and with a spare half hour started to sketch an amazing garden-covered barge. I didn't have time to add colour, so I did it at home later.

On location photo

Thursday I was stuck in the hairdresser's for ages, so grabbed my A6 Laloran sketchbook. I'm a bit concerned as I don't recognise that old lady in the mirror.

Hair colour 2015

I sketched myself in the same position in 2010. I remember that I didn't wear my glasses and had to squint at the book.

Hair colour 2010

Then yesterday, I joined the Essex & Suffolk Sketchers at Henny fete, where I visited a local garden, which happened to be serving cream teas. Using a Daler A5 sketchbook, I sketched it to justify eating it despite my ever expanding waistline.

Cream tea in watercolours

 

Finally, I did a very quick sketch trying to capture a feeling of the quintessential English fete, whilst my assistant dug herself a hole.

As it was so colourful, I used a rainbow pencil by Lyra in my A5 Daler sketchbook.

 

 

 

My assistant checks my perspective

Henny fete

 So that was my sketching week. Now if I could only think of a title...

Where was I?

Accepting Braintree Chamber prize

This year I've been entering a few exhibitions, and have been quite successful. 

Last month, I entered and was juried into the Braintree Open AND I won the Braintree Chamber prize.

Storm over the Saltings hung at Braintree Open.

 Also, in Braintree, I was chosen to have a painting in the Art Trail.

Wentworth House, in position in the art trail.

Finally, I had a painting juried into the Harwich Open.

Broken Dreams hung in the Harwich Open.

So that's where you could find me in June. What were you up to? You can tell me in a comment to this post.

Barcelona boats, bars, ballerinas...

Fleca Els Angels, Carrer D'Elisabets

 ... & some tennis.

Before last Saturday's Barcelona sketchcrawl, see my previous post here, I had spent a couple of days in the city. 

On Thursday, I went to the Barcelona Open, and got to realise a dream - to watch Rafael Nadal play in Spain whilst sat among a Spanish crowd. Mostly I was too busy watching the tennis to sketch, but I did manage the one below between matches.

Stadium at Real Club de Tenis Barcelona

Thursday was also Saint George's Day and everywhere people were handing out red roses. I was offered one first thing, but didn't accept as I was heading into the tennis stadium. I tried to sketch some in the Ramblas, but the crowds were massive and frequently obscured my view. The sketch is the best I achieved.

Las rosas di San Jordi.

The next day, I took an early morning walk and ended up at a café, where I'd had breakfast before the Urban Sketchers 2013 Symposium and had meant to sketch, so I did. (top).

Then it was on to the Maritime Museum where I sketched a traditional Catalan fishing boat.

Barca Catalana - Jean et Marie

Late afternoon, I headed off to join the group Inky Fingers, Barcelona who had arranged to draw the contemporary dance company Las Carmelas. 

Sketching Las Carmelas with Inky Fingers.

It was a real challenge trying to capture their movements as they danced. Thankfully they also did some short poses. I used a pad of tonal pastel paper and a multi-coloured single lead pencil. I can't wait to draw with this group again.

Finally, new work

Storm over the Saltings.

FOR SALE.
Storm over the Saltings.
33x23cm Ink & watercolour

Granary Square, N1

Fountains, Super5 pen & watercolour in A4 sketchbook

 Yesterday, I joined the Drawing London on Location meetup group for a day drawing around Granary Square, just north of Kings Cross, which was held in collaboration with the new House of Illustration.

I enjoyed the day, and it's a very interesting area, but feel I could have got better results. Here are some of them. 

The Book Barge. Soluble ink & watercolour A4 sketchbook

Musicians on The Book Barge, watercolour A4

Train people on route to London, A6 Laloran sketchbook

 What did you do yesterday? 

btw. The next post will be another from Brazil. 

12.12.12

12.12.12 Qantab, A5 sketchbook © Sue Pownall 2012

 On 12.12.12 at 12:12 I was sat on a beach sketching. It's not quiet an urban sketch as I was in the small fishing village of Qantab, which is a short drive south-east of Muscat. The finished sketch is above, whilst below is the snap I took at 12.12.12 12:12 

By sketching on 12.12.12 I hope the auspicious date will bring my art luck in the forthcoming year.

12.12.12 12:12 (GMT+4)

I was very inspired by the village and there are lots of things I want to draw. As I have friends living there, I'm sure you'll see lots more sketches and drawings from this lovely village.

Waiting for the tide

Waiting for the Tide. Pen & ink. 360 x 220mm © Sue Pownall 2012

 Another Omani scene which has just been delivered to the gallery. 

I believe it will be hung after Ramadan/the summer.

I used Instagram for this WIP.

With my previous boat drawing Preparing to Fish, John of JWJArts asked why I chose the shady side to draw. I didn't really know, but as I drew this one, I realised it's because its tonally more interesting. Besides, this way it captures some of the essence of the burning sunshine too.

I have to confess that this is not a favourite piece out of those I have done so far this year. 

What do you think?

Nautical nonsense

Preparing to fish. Pen & ink. 360 x 220mm. © Sue Pownall 2012

This is the finished boat from my last post Not Working. I think it's come out okay. 

Bandar Al Khairan. Watercolour in A5 sketchbook © Sue Pownall 2012

Last Thursday, I went on a boat trip. Regular visitors know I do this once in a while always with camera and sketchbook in my bag. Here's last May's post Off to Sea and October 2010 DTFF & Dhow Trip. I'm not really good with being somewhere, doing nothing, for a long time...
I love going on boats, just not good with being ashore for a long time. 

Shaded view Watercolour in A5 sketchbook © Sue Pownall 2012

 Thursday was fun with fabulous food, company, lots of swimming, and playing in the sea. Towards the end I snuck off and did these 2 watercolour sketches.

Heading home from our private beach.© Sue Pownall 2012

On route back to Muscat. © Sue Pownall 2012

Not working.

I have been struggling despite the break I gave myself 2 weeks ago when I went camping. The picture below is the reason. I was asked, amongst other things to draw more boats similar to Low Tide at Plockton, so I chose a reference from several I had taken in the Muscat area and then...stopped. I don't like drawing curves! It's been tacked to the wall since I did the pencil outline. I did one line on Sunday, then have tried working on it this morning, it's got this far.

WIP © Sue Pownall 2012

In between, I have done some sketching (mainly my feet and a few people) and had a play with my acrylics. The under painting ended like this.

WIPs © Sue Pownall 2012

I'm not sure how/why, but the blue one on the left is now purple and currently looks like this (below). Obviously it will be another veil painting. The green one reminds me of summer meadows so may gain red poppies etc.

WIP © Sue Pownall 2012

Hopefully, my next post will be the completed boat picture.