Blog

  Practice makes perfect This weeks drawing board centres on an A3 size inked drawing of an ironwork spiral staircase surrounded by tropical vegetation in a glasshouse, part of my current Hot House Palms theme of artworks and designs. For this type of artwork I like to undertake quite a bit of preparation work practising colours and techniques, helping me … Read More

I have been experimenting with my Derwent Inktense water-soluble colour pencils again.   I’m obsessed with their luminosity and intensity, but must admit am finding it hard to maintain those attributes across a large area of work without things getting diluted on every stroke of my watercolour brush. Inktense pencils are easy to use, but I find when activating the … Read More

On my morning walk today I felt the first chill of winter, so I came straight home and dug my bag of knitting out of the cupboard. I only knit in the winter, I think its something to do with creating cosiness, and also doing something creative in the dark evenings when I don’t have natural daylight to help me paint or draw.… Read More

  I’m mostly experimenting Top row: Sketchbook with studies of houses for large pen and ink study currently under way. Cow parsley & daisy small watercolour experiments using household candles as a wax resist – it works surprisingly well – I just need to work out the sequence of masking items in the composition. Far top right – my small … Read More

  I’m mostly experimenting Top row: Sketchbook with studies of houses for large pen and ink study currently under way. Cow parsley & daisy small watercolour experiments using household candles as a wax resist – it works surprisingly well – I just need to work out the sequence of masking items in the composition. Far top right – my small … Read More

This tutorial includes a materials list and easy to follow instructions so you can make a padded felt sun ornament. The finished sun measures 9cm in diameter, and is approx 1.5cm thick, and hangs by a length of embroidery thread / floss. If you have bought one of my Happy Sun Sewing Kits, then you will already have all the … Read More

  I’m mostly experimenting Top row: Sketchbook with studies of houses for large pen and ink study currently under way. Cow parsley & daisy small watercolour experiments using household candles as a wax resist – it works surprisingly well – I just need to work out the sequence of masking items in the composition. Far top right – my small … Read More

  Sea to sky Top row: Sketchbook with studies of houses (Looe, a coastal village – Cornwall, UK) for planned large pen and ink study. Set of Inktense pencils by Derwent (a Christmas present) and colour swatches in sketchbook; Inktense pencils can be activated with water to deposit vibrant ink colours onto the paper.Middle row: Strip picture experiments, depicting sea … Read More

  Back to botanics Top row: Sketchbook with leaf patterns, birch tree designs, Flemish flower painting inspiration, Moroccan tile design examles in scrapbook.Middle row:  Pink chrysanthemum watercolour flower study, on cotton watercolour paper (with reference photos above). Pencil sketch of ivy leaves around a wooden post. Banksia, gum leaves and agapanthus watercolour studies.Bottom row: Holly wreath sketchbook design ideas. Banksai … Read More