EDiM - # 6 well-loved object

This was a difficult challenge as I am away from home and traveled with only 20ks of luggage plus hand luggage. Here, I no longer love my laptop as it is dying on me; won't connect to the internet, battery won't hold its charge etc. Even if I was at my parents, most of my things are in storage after being shipped from Oman or already stored in their attic.

I decided to draw this object as an ironic take on the theme as I guess it was loved enough by someone to be brought to decorate my hotel room, but I think it is horrible. To appreciate how dreadful this is imagine a lopsided bottle covered in rough plaster except for an odd shape in the middle where the clear-glass can be seen. The plaster has been painted blue and white with glitter randomly applied. Inside it is filled with water, a bit of chicken-wire and plastic leaves. Around the neck are random plastic leaves and balls, ribbon, string and a bottle top, although it's sealed. Bet you are jealous you haven't got one!

Being self-critical, whilst looking at the picture this morning before posting, I see my drawing has not been accurate. I have made the neck too short and even though it is lopsided, I have not accurately got the shape. There's another bottle to be drawn today for #7, I think I shall have to concentrate harder on the initial drawing and not to be in such a hurry.

EDiM - # 4 & 5

As I will be very busy today, I cheated last night and drew challenges 4, a mug, and 5, a bed, together. The mug is a very boring white one, but the only one I currently have access to in my hotel. I wanted to draw a flower bed for today, but I do not think I will have any spare time.

Don't forget to check out the other fab artists participating in EDiM, there's a list on my last post.

EDiM - #3 & USk theme - construction.

EDM drawing #3 took a long time... I was not inspired by today's challenge. My best excuse is that I got a bad case of hiccups and couldn't draw, but I refused to give up on EDiM on day 3.

After the hiccups, I sketched the scene above from the bedroom window (9th floor), of a concrete delivery at the construction site just up the road. I found the perspective difficult from this height, but as it is over 40c outside this is the easiest way to sketch during the afternoon. This was drawn for the USk theme of this week.

Before that I had completed my IF illustration Cocoon, and afterwards I popped to the supermarket, had a chat with Sami (a very cute Eritrean guy) and then finally  I drew the challenge. It is my work handbag, which is big enough not only to carry my purse etc. but also my diary, camera, moleskin and various pens.

I recommend you check out the others participating in Everyday in May. They are:

Liz flickr or blog
Alissa flickr
Wendy (QuirkyArtist) flickr or blog
Jennifer Blog flickr
Sandy blog or flickr
Deborah blog
Margaret blog
Anna blog
Marthann blog
Yasemin blog
Carol blog
Anita blog flickr
Matthew flickr
Johanna blog
& finally me.

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

EDiM - #2 Lamp

For the 4 months I'm working in Khartoum, I am staying in an apartment hotel. This bedside lamp has to be the ugliest thing in the apartment and cried out to be painted for challenge number 2.

Osman smoking shisha

Yesterday I had the best day out! I was taken south of Khartoum, by some of my trainees and their friends, where we had a picnic beside the Nile. At one point Osman smoked some shisha and I did this quick sketch in my moleskin, that always is in my bag.

Osman is in the middle of this group picture.

Me beside the White Nile

Everyday in May (EDiM) #1

This is part of the Everyday in May challenge - drawing something every day in May. Led by Liz Steel, a group of us thought it would be fun to do an Everyday Matters (EDM) challenge each day using EDM 1-31. The list is here. Liz is an amazing artist, so go and check out her work. The group participating can also be found on Liz's blog here.

I think this is a bad start as I had a brilliant, but very busy day and did this quick sketch as I kicked off my shoes before heading for bed. Check out everyone else's shoes - they are FAB! Now I've posted this, I am off to tackle challenge #2.

Exam portrait

This morning I started drawing Amar leaning on his hand as he read the exam paper. He moved moments later and I confess the hand looks strange, but as he didn't replace it, I didn't have the opportunity to continue. I am pleased with the expression.

EDM #84 - Draw some bread

I'm not sure whether to work this up some more or to leave it. I don't want it to get too dark and the plastic bag loose its transparency, but then again at the moment the bread rolls look rather insubstantial. I shall leave it for now, then think about it later.

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