Ten minute painting

I painted some real stinkers this evening – but that’s the way it goes with watercolour, a roller coaster ride.

200mm x 355mm watercolour

Noodlers black ink

There’s only one stockist of this product in the UK and I think they only import half a dozen bottles at a time, so snap it up as soon as you see it.

Playing with the Intuous 3 Wacom tablet

I knocked this little picture out in a few minutes last night before going to bed, as I was desperate to play with my new toy, sorry if the tax man is reading that should say ‘my new boring, but essential, piece of design studio equipment’. Anyone who read my earlier post about how to spend a couple of hundred pounds might like to know that I still have a few grey hairs and the carpets are much the same as ever. The difference between this and my cheaper little Graphire tablet is phenomenal – really much, much better.

Hugo and Robin off sailing today

An old, old picture but an excuse to put it on the blog. There were heavy downpours today so I don’t imagine it looked much like this.

Donna standing

Another ten minute pose. Just one more scan to do.
350mm x 200mm watercolour on watercolour paper

The lovely Donna

The last and longest pose at life-drawing on Wednesday. I am so enjoying this group. I was going to mention the ridiculously low cost we are charged for two hours of life drawing, but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to get in the door for impoverished London artists filling up the venue, so I think I’ll keep schtoom.

500mm x 330mm watercolour on Winsor and Newton watercolour paper

Donna kneeling

This was the best of the ten minute sketches from last night’s life drawing. Too much on at the moment to scan and piece together the larger drawings – but I will.

195mm x 205mm watercolour on W&N paper

Donna, almost asleep

300mm x 500mm watercolour and pencil on W&N watercolour paper

Donna

All of the life models I’ve drawn have been interesting and beautiful, but this was the first time that I’d been given the opportunity to draw a young woman with the conventionally flawless figure of a fashion model. All that perfection rather flummoxed me and so more than half of my output was fairly dire – however I did quite like this ten minute sketch.

200mm x 290mm watercolour on Winsor and Newton watercolour paper. (Yes Katherine, I took your advice)

Polishing boots

This happens on a regular basis in this house.

400mm x 280mm brush pen and watercolour

Xavier smiling and laughing

It’s so difficult to capture him as his head bobs up and down and his expressions change with every microsecond. I asked him what he did at afternoon nursery today. He said that the teachers brought in miniature sofas, one for each child. The classroom was full of them and each child lay down on their sofa and slept for the afternoon!

Thelma considering whether she needs to reapply her nail polish

Thirty minute drawing.

210mm x 290mm pencil on paper

Thelma – thirty minutes

All out of proportion but who cares,
300mm x 400mm watercolour on far too thin scrap paper

Not waving

Ten minute watercolour of Thelma at last night’s class.
200mm x 330mm on scrap paper