Whiskers this morning, refusing to move.
A quick one from the is morning as I discovered one of our cats curled up in my jacket. I guess I’m working from home then! I didn’t want to disturb her so drew this quick ink sketch of her having a wash.
A quick one from the is morning as I discovered one of our cats curled up in my jacket. I guess I’m working from home then! I didn’t want to disturb her so drew this quick ink sketch of her having a wash.
I love a Sunday walk around the modern art gallery, inspiring artwork, manicured grounds and delicious food in their cafe.
This view I created for a commission shows the reflection of the grand entrance and also the Martin Creed piece, ‘Everything is going to be alright’ which reassures me every time I see it.
Creed has said of his art that it is ‘50% about what I make and 50% about what other people make of it’. And I do connect to this piece, and remember walking past it a few times during lock down and hoping it to be true.
I would say that all art is 50/50 and when I draw something it is usually initially for me but that is only half the story, I am making art to be seen and hope that viewers connect to my work in ways I haven’t thought of.
There is nothing better than a family walk to somewhere warm for a relaxing catch up over lunch. A favourite walk of ours is into Stockbridge, through Inverleith Park or the Botanics and then a coffee and cake before looking around a few shops and then back home to watch a film on the sofa.
This view from the road that leads from into Stockbridge from the park, just past the duck pond. You can see St Stephens Church in the distance, with the sky reflected in the water of leith below the bridge.
Happy days. This one I decided to get printed as a limited giclee print. Beautiful prints that are undistinguishable from the original and I have had 20 made at 9×5 inches and each one will be signed and numbered, and available via the link below.
A lovely intricate Victorian street lamp outside Waverley Station. So delicate and inspiring, I love noticing such creativity on the streets of the city. Have you noticed this one when on your way to catch the train? or as you first arrive in the capital perhaps.
Drawn with a dipping pen on some gorgeous watercolour paper offcut I had lying around.
I have been along to see the beautiful JMW Turner paintings at the National Galleries of Scotland, in their new room for 2024, one of the upper galleries of Edinburgh’s Royal Scottish Academy.
These atmospheric paintings using watercolour, ink, bodycolour and a scrapping of the paint to create highlights just blows me away every time. The light captured and the colours used are fascinating and I look forward to seeing them every year.
Left to the nation by art collector Henry Vaughan in 1900 the paintings by Joseph Mallard William Turner are only be available to see through the month of January, when Scotland’s daylight is shortest. These strict conditions means the watercolours still possess a freshness and an intensity of colour, almost 200 years after they were created.
With 38 watercolours on show there is also an audio highlights guide available, which is a brand-new addition for 2024. Be sure to make a visit before the end of the month.
My first sketch of Edinburgh in the new year is this view of bicycles on Jeffrey Street. I was there visiting my latest collaborating stockist, Hot Toddy who have a cafe and give great whisky tasting tours to locals and visitors to the city.
I have noticed this view before, I love the lines cross crossing through the picture and the depth that the bikes plus the Balmoral in the background give to my sketch.
I sketched with my favoured Uni Pin Fineliners and then added a quick watercolour wash to give a little colour to the famous hotel in the distance.
Happy New Year everyone and I hope you continue to follow my sketching journey through 2024. Mark 🙂
A midweek wedding at the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow on St Vincent Street. What a stunning building, and really pretty part of the city, just up the hill and away from the busy shops.
The wedding party had photos taken in Blythswood Square and below is a sketch of the college. Great architecture and such a mixture of buildings in Edinburgh that I love the random beauty, I must go back soon.
Before I left I made a quick sketch from the Buchanan Galleries as the sun came down on the famous shopping high street.
My niece had a big birthday and so a surprise trip to the Netherlands happened. My first stay in Amsterdam and it did not disappoint.
A beautiful city we spent hours walking and boating the canals and also managed a trip to the RijksMuseum where I saw a Van Gogh, many stunning Rembrandts and a beautiful Vermeer, the Milkmaid (below).
So inspiring and great to see such wonderful paintings close up. The canals of the city make for such picturesque views, tall gable ended town houses with little humpbacked bridges, skeletal black trees and big bright skys. I created one painting (top) but it was very cold and I look forward to returning in the warmer months for more canal side sketching.
This overflowing bin looked a mess as I passed by the Botanics this morning, but the colours appealed to me 🙂 Always looking for a silver lining but seriously I do hope it is all cleared up soon.
UPDATE: Glad to see the bin was empty and the street clean when I passed 24 hours later. Well done Edinburgh Council 🙂
A morning walk down to the harbour to clear the head after yesterdays excitement. This is Kayleigh Ann, a lovely fishing boat looking about to set off from Newhaven harbour. Best of luck!