Photohunt: Music

Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra playing at Al Bustan Palace, June 2009

IF - Blur

This morning we had a small sand storm and the mountains opposite my flat could barely be seen. Everything had a nasty murky quality, instead of the sharp mountains and crisp white buildings. I have attempted to represent the lack of clarity, the blur of the vista in my watercolour.

USk weekly theme - Poles

Possum set the theme this week for Urban Sketchers of poles. 
"Telephone poles, utility poles, poles, posts and all things pointy pointed to the sky. That's right, this week is your opportunity to draw those ever-urban vertical creations that keep wires plugged into homes and apartments and businesses humming with electricity."

It's very strange but it's not until you get in the back streets that you see power lines here in Muscat, or at least I had never noticed them until the challenge.

This was so NOT something I would normally try to draw and here are the notes I made while drawing- So far out of my comfort zone!!! Hate drawing cars! Don't draw street scenes. Like people and details. 08/11/09 Why did I choose a scene with a mosque and palm trees?

Despite all these complaints I am actually quite pleased with the results and I am glad I pushed myself to take up this challenge. On top of that, I finished my larger sketchbook!!!!
 

Photohunt: Military

I like the military precision of these flags flying as part of Bahrain's National Day celebrations. Taken December 2007.

Sketches at the camel races this morning.

In-between the camel races, Omani men danced and chanted to entertain the spectators (first picture). Whilst the race was on the men sat around a speaker watching the race on the big screen (second picture). I couldn't take my sketchbook to the races without trying to draw a camel or two, but as they were constantly moving I did try for long.

Couple from this week

           Last Thursday, I started this watercolour on Al Bustan Village beach whilst waiting to see a friend. I finished it by adding the colour to the rocks earlier this week. It seems a bit murky, but that's how it has scanned, the original, I think, is quite bright and clean. The sketch of the port, posted earlier, was drawn a couple of hours later and is 20 minutes drive from the village.

The pen & ink sketch was done in the Turkish House restaurant. As the friend I was having dinner with was stuck in traffic, and I have always loved their cute tissue box, I took the opportunity to draw it. On Urban Sketchers the drawings are often of the buildings, but unless there are people who catch my eye the interiors of restaurants and cafes do nothing for me. Each to their own I guess.

Cargo ships

Cargo ships, Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
Originally uploaded by travelingsuep

As last month, I thought I would draw the port from across the harbour, and as last month, a tug came along and took my subject away. Third time lucky?

IF - Fast

Whilst in South Africa last winter, I visited a Zulu village, and was lucky enough to watch a  display of the traditional dancing. One dancer moved so fast he was a blur on the photo. When I saw the photo, along with the excitement of the dancing, I knew I had to paint him; it's just took Illustration Friday to set this theme to push me into finally doing it. Unfortunately, as the painting is bigger than my scanner, the colours seem to have been distorted by my camera. The photo on the right, is of one of the other dancers caught in action.

Photohunt: Tied

This week theme is tied.

This was a picture taken in Trafalgar Square during the Olympics 2008.

On the screen are 3 athletes, who were tied at that point of the race.

I know it's stretching the theme, but it is an interesting pic.

Exam time, IMCO

Exam time, International Maritime College Oman
Originally uploaded by travelingsuep

Yesterday, I had to invigilate an exam and whilst watching over the students took a few minutes to produce this sketch. I'm not sure if sketching is against invigilation rules, for example we can't read, but as I was still watching the students... Who know's?