Sketchday II

Monks' garden. Pen & watercolour, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

Last September, Sandra of Sandraws came up to Colchester for a sketchday and we arranged to do it again this year. Coincidently, last Saturday, John of JWJarts wrote about sketching in public and our sketchday:

"I have been inspired entirely by my blogger friends... The first urges to try it myself came from Sandra Busby's account of her day with Sue Pownall and I can imagine how wonderful that must have been."

That post is here if you missed what helped to inspire John.

Michelham Priory in the rain. © Sue Pownall 2011

Yesterday, I drove down to Sandra's in Sussex for our second sketchday and we were joined by the artist Kerry (her website). Despite the appalling English summer weather we had a fabulous time drawing at Michelham Priory, although we were disappointed we didn't see or feel any of the ghosts!

Entrance. Pen & ink, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

After walking around the Priory, we scattered to draw different things. Kerry stopped in the Tudor extension whilst Sandra and I both chose the original entrance to the Priory as our first sketches. It was a challenge as people kept standing in front of us and blocked our view, which is when I quickly sketched the gardener.

Gardener. Pen & ink, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

Next, I sketched in the old forge. The grounds of the priory were magnificent and it was frustrating to have to be inside due to the rain. Luckily, by 2.45pm it stopped enough so that our last drawing of the day was outside. I chose the wild flower monks garden, which was planted next to the oldest part of the building.

Old Forge, pen & Payne's grey, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

All too soon it was time for me to leave, but it was a fabulous day and I can't wait for Sketchday III.

For all my sketches I used an A5 sketchbook, which I bought at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, but although the paper is smooth it soaked up my ink and didn't like watercolour. It's a shame as it has got a lovely cover.

Cool enough to open the door...

... and turn off the a/c.

I have a light teaching load at the moment, and so sat in my office yesterday morning sketching the view through the door. I added colour at home last night, which the photo above has bleached out.

First, I sat on a desk by the door.

Then I sat at my desk.

Quiet strangely, it suddenly came over dark, we had several heavy showers, some thunder and lightning,  and then the sun came out again.

The re-emerging sun.

I hate my moleskin!

I haven't sketched anything for a few days as I have been completely exhausted. On top of that all mental energy has been taken up with trying to secure the immediate future.

Last night I walked to the park whilst watching storm clouds overhead and hearing distant thunder rumbling above the city. The air is permanently full of dust and with sunset it just went yellower. Being early to meet my friend, I pulled out my moleskin and watercolours, started to try and capture the amazing clouds and cried out "why won't a moleskin take watercolours????" With fading light I did the best I could to capture the storm in colour and to ink in the kiosk in the park and the surroundings.

It is such a shame moleskins do not take washes as the size is perfect to pop in a bag or even pocket. Mind, before it I had a similar sized small sketchbook, half the price, and it took washes. Back to that brand for me I think, if I can find it.

BTW it didn't rain where I was, but apparently did in other parts of the city. However, the storm brought a delicious breeze and a drop in temperature. It was hort-lived relief as today has been boiling again!!! Or as Al Jazeera International's forecast - Extremely Hot.

Tue		Afternoon clouds. Extremely hot.  41°C
Wed		More sun than clouds. Extremely hot.  43°C

Whilst watching tv

I was sketching whilst watching tv. I'm not sure why I left the pad on the angle I put it down on the sofa, but I did. It is A3, which is not a size I normally use to sketch on, so maybe that is the reason.

Very excitingly, we have just had a storm here in Khartoum. Only a little rain, but terrific thunder &  lightning. The air smells wonderful now. I love storms!!!!

Wet roads & sheet lightning.

 The sky lit up. It's 10pm, Awesome.