There is so much to see at the #royalhighlandshow This is my first live sketch, cattle being paraded in the main stand.
Sketches from a farmhouse
Good morning one and all from West Lothian, the sketcher family are currently house-sitting a farmhouse close to Linlithgow. We are looking after a couple of horses and three cats for a week and loving the peace and quiet of a break in the country, just half an hour from Edinburgh.
These watercolour sketches are from a walk around the grounds yesterday, the sheep are from the farm next door and the horses, Ben and Flora we are looking after.
I was trying to get a little practice drawing animals as I’m off the Royal Highland Show this weekend.
Unfortunately I was caught in a rain shower whilst drawing the horses above and the page got quite wet, it makes for an interesting effect though. I re-inked the black lines once the page was dry.
Let’s hope we get some sunny spells at the Highland Show, although all sketches both soggy or dry will be posted here 🙂
Wagasketch
A rainy day in West Lothian, so a trip to the counties shopping mecca, The Centre in Livingston.
This is James having some Japanese cuisine at Wagamama. He and Zoe loved it, and apparently ‘wagamama’ is a japanese name that means ‘willful, naughty child’. Spooky!
Slow Food Week
Monday I was lucky enough to visit Oloroso on Castle Street, Edinburgh. The restaurant boasts one of Edinburgh’s finest roof top views and chef Tony Singh who is a member of the Slow Food Chef Alliance in partnership with Highland Park has been celebrating Slow Food Week (18th -24th June).
This watercolour sketch shows my main course of Shetland Lamb, with soft rosemary polenta, which was absolutely delicious.
Slow Food UK was created in the 80’s to counter the idea of ‘fast food’ and what that meant to our daily lives. By providing more information about how food is produced and where it comes from the organisation encourages customers to think more about the implications of the choices they make about the food on their plates. For more information click HERE
Show comes to an end
21 June Unfortunately my stay at Tidalfire came to an end on Monday, but hopefully I’ll be back there again next year. But what a finale it was, with a ‘meet and greet’ Friday afternoon where I made some great contacts, took a couple of new commissions and sold a few prints. Thanks to everyone at Tidalfire for giving me the opportunity to share my sketches.
Click HERE to see Tidalfire’s wee write up about my stay and to find out more about their ‘Window of Opportunity’ and their new resident artist.
Watercolour woods
The family and I are currently on holiday, house sitting just outside Linlithgow, not far from Edinburgh.
Today we took a picnic to Beecraigs country park. There’s a huge sand pit and lots of climbing frames for the kids to play in after their sandwiches and strawberries.
This watercolour was drawn by the talented Mrs Sketcher while the children had an after lunch nap. We’ll have to go back as we didn’t have time to visit the deer farm they have at the park.
WhereArtI #0018
One of things I love about Edinburgh is the ever changing look of out high streets, the wee shops that spring up and perhaps sadly disappear all too quick. Which means whenever I travel along Leith Walk/Morningside/Stockbridge/etc I’m always noticing new shop, restaurant or cafe fronts with signs saying ‘opening soon’.
This shop is undergoing a transformation, I think from a hairdressers into a bakery or cafe. Can you tell me where it is situated?
As ever tag your answers with #wherearti and look out for clues if needed on facebook and twitter later. Good luck Edinburgers!
All aboard!
I’ve built us an ark, I think were gonna need it. You’re all welcome, it’s parked in front of the Castle.
The Haven Cafe
This relatively new cafe between the Shore and Newhaven is fast growing a reputation for great home baking, and now has the added appeal of being the latest place to show (and sell) EdinburghSketcher prints.
The sketch is of Natalie, the owner. Say hello and be sure to head down there early to grab the comfy chairs by the fire!
Meet the EdinburghSketcher today..
15th June
If you fancy a beer or a glass of wine this afternoon pop into Tidalfire on St Mary’s Street, just off the Royal Mile, between 3 and 6pm to see my sketches all framed and looking lovely.
Prints will be on sale too, so bring some cash 🙂 – And the more the merrier so spread the word.
Click HERE for more information and details on the venue